Our Lawyers

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.

MATILDA JOHNSON

Matilda joined Blanchfield Nicholls Partners as a Paralegal in July 2009 and became an employed Solicitor upon her admission to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in August 2010. Matilda is also on the roll of the High Court of Australia as a Solicitor.

Aside from a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Technology Sydney, Matilda also has a Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology from the University of New South Wales where she was a Ben Lexcen Scholarship Holder for the sport of Netball.

Matilda has exclusively practised in the area of family law since her admission and has experience in dealing with matters involving divorce, property settlement and parenting arrangements. Matilda’s focus is to minimise the emotional and financial strain that a relationship breakdown can have on families and individuals.

Matilda is a member of the NSW Young Lawyers Family Law Committee and has previously volunteered at the Inner City Legal Centre.

KAREN TRIGGS

Karen was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in December 2008. She has worked as a solicitor exclusively in family law and is presently completing her Masters in applied family law through the College of Law, to further her tertiary education in this field of practice. She has experience in representing clients in both property and parenting family law matters. Karen joined Blanchfield Nicholls Partners as a Solicitor in 2011.

Karen is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and has completed collaborative law training. As an undergraduate, Karen worked for both Legal Aid NSW and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. She also has tertiary qualifications in Real Estate. Karen is friendly, approachable and has experience in providing realistic and practical advice to those who are going through the family law process.