The Sydney lawyer was previously a partner of Watts McCray, where she advised clients across a range of matters. Her expertise includes complex financial matters, parenting cases involving allegations of serious violence, applications to relocate the residence of children, and de facto matters.

Ms McFawn said that she was “thrilled” to be joining the family and relationship law practice at Lander & Rogers during a period of growth within the firm. Noting the trend that family separations have become increasingly complex, she suggested the firm’s family law group benefits from the commercial knowledge of the wider team.

“There is a natural crossover between family law and the commercial practices at Lander & Rogers; for example with the firm's corporate group in relation to complex financial matters.

“This is a real benefit for many of our high-net-worth clients, who tend to have large and complicated asset pools, as it means we are able – where necessary – to draw on the firm's broader in-house commercial expertise to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome for our clients,” Ms McFawn said.

Mark Parker, co-head of family law at Lander & Rogers, welcomed Ms McFawn to the partnership team. He said the new partner brought “a unique understanding and perspective” to the practice group.

“In recent years, we have seen a large growth in work which has involved Australian family law and its intersection with the family law jurisdictions in the Asian market, in particular Singapore and Hong Kong. Collette's expertise will broaden the specialist offering that we can provide to expat Australians in need of advice in these situations,” Mr Parker said.

Ms McFawn’s addition to the Lander & Rogers leadership team signals further growth of its family and relationship law practice. Earlier this year the firm opened its first permanent Sydney practice in the area.