CATHIE BLANCHFIELD
Cathie was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in July 1988.
She commenced practice in a busy suburban family law firm, undertaking a wide variety of family law and related work. In January 1996 she commenced as Senior Associate at Stuart Fowler & Associates (as it then was) and was appointed a partner in 2000.
Cathie has practised exclusively in family law and related areas since admission. Over the years her work has focussed on primarily financial and property matters for married, de-facto and same sex couples. She regularly advises in matters involving complex financial arrangements. She has written and presented papers on the relationship between bankruptcy and family law, and binding financial agreements.
At the same time Cathie has extensive experience in parenting matters.
While the majority of a family lawyer's work may be at the end of the relationship, Cathie has also drafted and advised many clients on cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements under the Family Law Act and the Property (Relationships) Act.
Cathie is widely recognised for a sensible and pragmatic approach in her family law matters, and wherever possible will encourage effective settlement negotiations and alternative dispute resolution procedures.
Cathie has written and presented many papers on family law issues for members of the profession undertaking continuing legal education. She was for many years a member and, later, the Convenor of the Family Law Section of the City of Sydney Law Society. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and a member of Law Asia.
NIGEL NICHOLLS
Nigel Nicholls was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in 1990 and in England and Wales in 2004 and has, since admission, practised almost exclusively in family law. From 1997 to 1999 Nigel was appointed a Registrar and Mediator of the Family Court of Australia, before returning to private practice as a partner of Stuart Fowler and Partners.
In 2003, Nigel practised in the United Kingdom and was employed as an associate with Taylor Vinters Solicitors in Cambridge, a general commercial and litigation practice of 100 partners and solicitors, in the specialist family law team. Nigel is one of the few Australian practitioners who has practised and is an experienced family lawyer in both Australia and England. While in the UK, Nigel trained and practised collaborative family law, becoming probably the first Australian solicitor to use this innovative style of dispute resolution.
Nigel's practice has focused on larger and complex privately funded property and children's applications before the Family Court of Australia, including matters involving complex trust company structures and international family law practice.
Nigel has been a part-time lecturer and tutor at the University of Technology, Sydney, lecturing the undergraduate programme in family law and conducting seminars in the graduate programme in legal practice, including negotiation techniques, mediation skills and court presentation.
In 2000, Nigel was a member of the NSW Law Society Family Law Committee and in 2002 was appointed a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Nigel is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Practice. He is the convenor of the Central Sydney Collaborative Forum. Nigel is also a member if the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. Nigel speaks and can take instructions in German.
SUE PARKER
Sue Parker was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia in 1979. After a period spent working as a lawyer in the Northern Territory, Sue moved to Sydney and was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in March 1985.
Sue listens to clients and provides practical and comprehensive advice. Wherever possible, Sue will pursue alternative dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation and collaborative family law. Sue also has extensive litigation experience, enabling her to represent clients in various jurisdictions.
Sue has trained as a Mediator at Bond University, and has completed Collaborative Law training. Sue is also a member of the New South Wales Law Society, the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc, Collaborative Family Lawyers Sydney Practice Group and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Sue joined Blanchfield Nicholls Partners in 2009 as a Senior Associate.