Melissa LaBrooy
Senior Associate – Family Lawyer
Melissa is a Senior Family Lawyer at Eliza Legal. She was admitted to practice in both the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia, and works across both Victorian and Federal jurisdictions. With a career dedicated to Family Law, Melissa brings compassion and depth of knowledge to her work, guiding and supporting clients through complex legal matters.
Background
Melissa is a Senior Family Lawyer at Eliza Legal. She was admitted to practice in both the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia, and works across both Victorian and Federal jurisdictions. With a career dedicated to Family Law, Melissa brings compassion and depth of knowledge to her work, guiding and supporting clients through complex legal matters.
Known for her personable and empathetic approach, Melissa takes pride in being client-focused and approachable. She understands the human side of Family Law and has the emotional intelligence to help clients navigate what can be an incredibly challenging and emotional time. Melissa is focused on achieving positive outcomes while ensuring her clients feel heard, supported, and respected throughout their legal journey.
Melissa has a particular interest in complex property matters involving company structures, trusts, self-managed superannuation funds, and diverse asset arrangements. Her expertise in navigating these intricate financial issues ensures clients receive informed, strategic advice tailored to their unique circumstances.
As a parent herself, Melissa is also deeply committed to assisting with challenging parenting matters. She brings insight into the social science of high-conflict separations and the profound impact these disputes can have on children. This passion has led to extensive experience in matters involving Family Violence, Intervention Orders, and a consistent focus on ensuring that the child’s best interests remain central to all parenting decisions.
What Sets Melissa Apart
Melissa utilises her broad knowledge of various areas of practice, such as criminal law, wills and estate planning, and commercial law to enhance her in depth expertise in Family Law, which is her passion.
Her diverse professional and life experience gives Melissa a unique ability to understand the emotional toll family law matters can have on individuals and their loved ones. Melissa ensures her clients feel heard, supported, and protected throughout their matter.
Melissa adopts a holistic, strategic approach tailored to each client’s needs—balancing alternative dispute resolution with the need to litigate when required—while always advocating for the best possible outcome.
Life Beyond the Law
Beyond her work as a Family Lawyer, Melissa takes every opportunity to spend time with her family which is reflected in the values she takes into legal practice. Melissa also enjoys working with the community, cooking for family and friends and indulging 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.
