Director & Principal Lawyer
Cassandra Kalpaxis
Cassandra practises in collaborative family law and appears regularly in the media discussing separation, family violence awareness and safer workplaces.
Collaborative family law
Clear family law guidance when life feels uncertain.
Every family is different. Some matters can be resolved cooperatively; others require firmer guidance, careful strategy and strong legal protection. Our role is to meet you where you are and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
What it means
Resolving matters cooperatively
Collaborative practice brings both parties and their lawyers together to resolve separation, parenting and property issues by agreement — often with support from allied professionals such as accountants, psychologists and counsellors. Cassandra Kalpaxis is an accredited collaborative divorce practitioner and an international collaborative practice practitioner.
We assist with separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, property settlements, domestic and family violence concerns and related legal issues.
Our team takes the time to understand your circumstances, explain your rights and provide practical legal support — whether you are at the beginning of a separation, responding to a difficult family law matter, or ready to take formal steps.
Pathways compared
Collaborative practice and other pathways
Collaborative practice is one option. Where safety is a concern, or cooperation isn't possible, other pathways may be required — and we will tell you plainly.
CollaborativeLitigation / arbitration
ToneCollaborative:Cooperative, problem-solving negotiationOther:Positional; decisions may be made by a judge
Who decidesCollaborative:The two of you, with your lawyers and allied professionalsOther:A judge (court) or arbitrator
SuitsCollaborative:Matters where both parties can engage safely and in good faithOther:Matters needing firmer protection or a binding determination
CoversCollaborative:Separation, parenting arrangements and propertyOther:The same issues, through formal process
Practitioners
Meet the team
Senior Associate
Heela Khatiz
Admitted in 2019, Heela has practised exclusively in family law — parenting matters involving risk and family violence, and property matters involving businesses, trusts and complex asset pools.
Associate
Chloe Underwood
Chloe supports clients through negotiations, mediation and, where necessary, court proceedings — with clear, practical advice tailored to each family.
Strategy session
Know where you stand next.
A fixed-fee private strategy session — $730 incl. GST — to understand your position, your risks and the pathways available, before you make your next move.