Graeme Freeman is the Principal Lawyer at Freeman Family Law. He has practised almost exclusively in the field of Family Law for over 35 years and has been an Accredited Family Law Specialist since November 1992. During this time Graeme has been assisting clients in Melbourne and at various suburban locations and the Mornington Peninsula. He has extensive experience across all areas of family law, including complex financial cases.

Financial disputes Graeme has a wealth of knowledge across a full breadth of financial disputes arising out of relationship breakdowns. He provides expert guidance in all cases, from straightforward property splits to large and complex asset pools. Graeme undertakes a comprehensive assessment of financial entitlements in every case and advises on strategy to ensure that his clients achieve the best possible outcome with the minimum amount of time, stress and expense.

Graeme’s financial expertise includes pre-litigation dispute resolution, drafting and negotiating financial agreements and consent orders. Where out of court settlements are not possible, Graeme provides seasoned representation including up to the appellate stage at the Full Court of the Federal Circuit and Family Court.

Parenting disputes Graeme has over 35 years of experience guiding clients through parenting disputes following separation. He understands the emotional cost involved in any matter involving children and works hard to ensure that his clients receive the advice and support that they need in order to reach an outcome which is in the best interests of the children involved.

Graeme advises and represents clients in all parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Full Family Court, including parent and family “custody” applications, paternity disputes, breaches of parenting orders, child support payments and relocation issues. He has a wealth of tools in his arsenal when it comes to resolving disputes out of court, and he encourages his clients to explore alternative dispute resolution and mediation options to avoid litigation wherever possible.

Divorce Graeme has extensive expertise when it comes to divorce cases (which are handled separately from property and childcare disputes.

As well as handling straightforward applications, Graeme advises on even the most difficult of divorce matters, including applications involving overseas parties, refusal to accept papers, and disagreements over dates of separation.

Interests Outside of work Graeme enjoys anything to do with the sea, tennis, cricket and AFL football.  Graeme still plays footy with Port Colt Masters.  He is a proud sponsor of that side and is particularly proud of the very successful women’s Masters team of which he was a founding sponsor.

Brad was admitted to legal practise in 2014. He has worked exclusively in family law since his admission, including complex property and children’s matters, relocation and recovery orders, binding financial agreements, and divorce.

Brad strives to ensure that clients are informed about their matter at each step. He also understands that when clients commence family law proceedings they may be doing so with a great deal of anxiety. He offers support and empathy as well as sound legal advice.

Family law is a complex area of the law which can be daunting for clients at times.  Brad will help guide you through the system by giving you the best possible advice in an easy to understand manner.  He appreciates the importance of listening to clients and will provide practical, objective and realistic advice at all times.

James completed a Bachelor of Arts in 2017 and the post-graduate Juris Doctor in 2020 at the University of Melbourne. James was admitted to legal practice in October 2021. He has worked exclusively in the family law jurisdiction since his admission. He has experience in a range of family law matters, including:

• Parenting matters, including relocation matters;
• Property matters and financial agreements (including complex financial matters);
• Child support and spousal maintenance matters;
• Enforcement and contempt matters; and
• Family violence intervention order matters.

Prior to his admission as a lawyer, James worked as a Deputy Associate at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, primarily in the Family Law and General Federal Law jurisdictions. This provided him valuable insight into Court practice and procedure.

James is a family lawyer with particular focus on providing advice that is insightful and compassionate. He appreciates the importance of listening to clients and will provide practical, objective and realistic advice at all times, whilst always standing firm for their best interests.

Annette graduated with a London Chamber of Commerce Secretarial Studies Certificate in 1976 and has since worked in legal practices in London, Auckland, and Melbourne. Annette has experience in a variety of Court jurisdictions primarily working in the area of Family Law since 1982. Annette has worked alongside Graeme assisting him in his legal practice for the past 16 years.

Annette enjoys the variety of work a legal practice offers and is both discreet and empathetic with clients.

Many clients would not have been able to go through this process without her calmness, guidance, and care.

Outside of work Annette enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog and sewing creative garments for her grandchildren.