Melissa LaBrooy
Senior Associate – Family Lawyer
Melissa is a senior family lawyer at Eliza Legal, admitted to practice in both the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia. With a career dedicated exclusively to family law, she brings considerable depth of knowledge and genuine compassion to every matter she handles.
What sets Melissa apart is the breadth of experience she draws on. Her background across criminal law, commercial law and estate planning gives her a uniquely holistic perspective on family law matters, particularly those involving complex property structures, trusts, self-managed superannuation funds and diverse asset arrangements.
As a parent herself, Melissa has a deep commitment to parenting matters and understands firsthand the impact that high-conflict separation can have on children. This drives her focus on family violence, intervention orders and ensuring that children's best interests remain central to every parenting decision.
Outside of work, Melissa is most at home with her family, cooking for the people she loves, volunteering in her community, and getting lost in a good book.
Areas of Expertise:
- Complex Property Settlements – Advising on intricate property pools involving business structures, trusts, and self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), and helping clients understand assets and liabilities they may be unfamiliar with.
- Comprehensive Asset Assessment – Conducting detailed investigations and valuations to ensure a fair division of matrimonial property.
- Superannuation Splitting – Drafting and securing Superannuation Splitting Orders, including those involving self-managed super funds (SMSFs).
- Family Violence & Intervention Orders – Representing clients in matters involving both overt and more nuanced forms of family violence, including applications for and responses to Intervention Orders.
- Late-Life Separation– Assisting older couples with separation matters, including issues relating to capacity, financial independence, and litigation guardianship.
- Parenting Matters Involving Risk – Handling complex parenting disputes involving allegations of risk to children, including those involving both young children and older adolescents.
- Rebuilding Parent-Child Relationships – Supporting parents seeking to re-establish contact with children after prolonged periods of separation or no contact.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution – Guiding clients through mediation and collaborative law processes, including lawyer-assisted mediation to resolve disputes without litigation.
- Child Advocacy & Welfare – Managing cases requiring independent intervention or expert involvement to safeguard children at risk.
- Family Court Representation – Representing clients in all stages of litigation in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Connect with
Melissa LaBrooy
If you're seeking a family lawyer who will support you through this challenging time with sensitivity, expertise, and compassion, Melissa invites you to get in touch. Together, she can work towards a brighter future for your family.