Bernadette Smyth

‍Name: Bernadette Smyth   ‍

Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws – University of New South Wales

Bachelor of Arts – The University of Wollongong

Accredited Specialist – Family Law (NSW)

Admitted to practice in the Supreme Courts of NSW

Admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia

Collaborative Law

Independent Children’s Lawyer

Nationally Accredited Mediator

Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner

‍Title: Director 

‍Organisation: Chapman and Smyth Family Law 

State: ACT and New South Wales

Immediation Practice Area: Mediation

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About Bernadette 

Bernadette (Berni) is an accredited Family Law Specialist as certified by the Law Society of New South Wales and a trained collaborative lawyer. I have been working as a Family Lawyer for over 25 years. My work is exclusively dedicated to all aspects of Family Law and I have a passion for achieving workable solutions. I take pride in helping parties obtain the best possible outcome tailored to their personal situation.  

The scale and breadth of my family law work extends from negotiating and documenting amicable parenting and property matters, often called “house and garden” matters, to international relocation matters and complex property, involving complex company and trust structures with multiple real properties and superannuation interests. 

I was appointed to the NSW Independent Children’s Lawyers Panel in 2005 and in the intervening period I have regularly acted for Children in the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court. In 2017 I was a member of the NSW Law Society Board of examiners accessing solicitor candidates for Family Law Accreditation, having attained her own specialist accreditation in Family Law in 2005. I attended the World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights and I regularly attend both National and International Legal Conferences to ensure that I hold current knowledge of social science and legal issues. “Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Market” has ranked me as a recommended Parenting Lawyer in 2020. 

I am also a Nationally Accredited Mediator and serve as a Member of the NSW Law Society Family Law Settlement Panel. I combine my extensive legal expertise and experience with a love of Mediation and desire to work with parties and to reach a practical and pragmatic outcome. 

I find it extremely satisfying for everyone involved when the Mediation commences with comments such as “this matter will never settle” and a few hours later a final agreement has been reached and documented. Achievements like this, together with ensuring that there is respect and dignity in reaching the agreement, gives me great satisfaction in acting as a Mediator.

Immediation Areas of Expertise 

• Parenting 
• Property 
• All aspects of Family Law

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