LUCY THOMAS PATERSON & DOWDING

Lucy Thomas

Director

Lucy Thomas is a co-director at Paterson & Dowding and her practice is focused on parenting issues. She has extensive experience in relation to both negotiated settlements and Family Court litigation with respect to child related and financial disputes. Lucy is passionate about minimising the fallout of relationship breakdowns for families, both financially and emotionally by promoting child focused decisions and behaviour.

Lucy regularly appears in both the Family Court and the Children’s Court. Her extensive experience as a family lawyer in Perth, led to her being named a pre-eminent lawyer in Parenting, Custody and Children's Matters and a Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer by DOYLES. Her knowledge of the law means that her clients are represented by a specialist who is well equipped to assist clients’ understanding of and participation in the Family Court process and in any associated mediation. Lucy has developed her experience in these areas since starting with the firm in 1990.

Lucy has extensive experience as a mediator and has chaired many mediation conferences in relation to both parenting and financial issues, resulting in settlements. She is also a qualified Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner registered with the Attorney-General's Department. In her capacity as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Lucy is able to assist family members to resolve their dispute and develop their own child focused solutions in a confidential mediation forum.

In addition to private client work, Lucy is a highly experienced Independent Children's Lawyer. In this role Lucy assists the Family Court in complex parenting disputes, involving a range of serious allegations including, but not limited to, family violence, physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children. Lucy performs a similar role as Child Representative in Care and Protection Matters dealt with in the Children's Court. Lucy has undertaken extensive trial work in both capacities. She is regularly invited to speak at Legalwise Seminars.

Lucy loves her early morning group training sessions that, in turn, allows her to enjoy, guilt-free, good food and regular meet-ups with her friends and colleagues.

She treats her clients with a high degree of professionalism and fosters a close-knit community at Paterson & Dowding with her lively personality and quick-wit.

On the eve of her 30^th work anniversary on 18 June 2020, we asked Lucy a few questions about her journey as a Family Lawyer in Western Australia, read Director celebrates 30 year work anniversary here

If you would like to get Lucy's advice on a family law matter, please call 9226 3300 to make an appointment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia, 1988

Bachelor of Jurisprudence, University of Western Australia, 1988

Admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, 1988

Admitted to the High Court of Australia, 1992

Independent Children's Lawyer, 1993

Accredited Family Law Specialist, 1994

AIFLAM Nationally Accredited Mediator, 2012

Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, 2016

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

23 December 1988

MEMBERSHIPS

Law Society of Western Australia

Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia

Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia

Member of the Review Committee, Legal Aid Western Australia

Former Council member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia

Women Lawyers WA

Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediator

Resolution Institute (formerly LEADR - Association of Dispute Resolution)

EXPERTISE

All areas of family law, with an emphasis on parenting matters

Experience in Surrogacy and represented numerous applicant parents in relation to children with Gender Identity Disorder

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Why Trust Us?

Our aim is to minimise the fallout of disputes on families – both in the short term, and into the future. Our experienced lawyers have the welfare of children and families front of mind. Paterson & Dowding Lawyers work closely with clients to secure the best outcomes for families in the medium – longer term.

Our pricing is transparent and reasonable; we’re focused on timely solutions and where possible reaching agreement without having to go to Court. Make an appointment with a Paterson & Dowding Family Lawyer today.

Clients tell us that we are not just another Family Law firm. They trust us to deliver the best solution for their unique situation.

*Doyles Guide is an independently researched listing of best firms and lawyers, on the back of initial online peer-based surveys as well as extensive telephone and face to face interviews with clients, peers and relevant industry bodies.