Congratulations to our accredited specialists

Congratulations to Dandenong Deputy Managing Lawyer Chris Smith and Senior Family Lawyer Julia Suddenly who recently attained accredited specialisation in family law.

Specialist accreditation is earned through the Law Institute Victoria Accredited Specialisation program.

Professional Support Lawyer, Family Law, Simon Macdonald said it is an exceptional achievement.

‘Obtaining accreditation involves hard work, commitment and dedication.

‘The rigorous three-tiered assessments require you to demonstrate superior knowledge, experience and proficiency with the capacity to apply that knowledge and proficiency in practice.

‘Specialisation is also a recognition of your enhanced skill level and expertise and is a significant achievement distinguishing you in your area of practice.

'We are very supportive of our staff and panel practitioners undertaking this commitment, as clients will inevitably gain from the enhanced skills and knowledge attained through specialist accreditation.'

Our professional support lawyers are an integral part of our specialist accreditation program, and provide invaluable guidance, support and assistance to our lawyers and panel practitioners in the lead up to their exams.

Chris and Julia agree that earning specialist accreditation has been a great opportunity to broaden their knowledge in unfamiliar areas of law and assist in helping clients and colleagues.

‘Accredited specialisation in family law will help me to mentor junior lawyers, assist other lawyers with more complex family law matters and be more confident in acting for clients in this complex area of law,’ said Chris.

‘Undertaking specialisation has expanded my skills and my knowledge in family law, which will enhance the assistance and advice that I provide to my clients,’ said Julia.

We currently have 35 accredited criminal law specialists, 19 accredited children's law specialists, 10 accredited family law specialists, two accredited immigration law specialists and one accredited administrative law specialist.

More information

To learn more about specialist accreditation, visit the Law Institute Victoria Accredited Specialisation program.