Melissa graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2005 with a combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2006. Melissa has practised in family law since 2007.
Melissa specialises in family law, providing representation and advice in relation to all areas of family law including:
- Matrimonial and de facto property disputes (including disputes involving a family business in various ownership structures);
- Children’s matters (including parenting orders, paternity disputes and child protection matters);
- Child support matters (including child support agreements);
- Financial agreements (including pre nuptial or pre cohabitation agreements);and
- Divorce proceedings.
Melissa has been recognised for her expertise in family law by her peers in the Doyles Guide for Tasmania in 2022.
Since 2012 Melissa has accepted appointments as separate representative in the child protection jurisdiction.
Melissa appears frequently as both solicitor and counsel in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and has considerable experience with representing clients at mediation.