Daniel Keserovic

Profile

Daniel was called to the bar in 2022. Since then he has practised primarily in family law, having appeared at hearings at first instance and on appeal in both property and parenting disputes. In parenting matters he has appeared for parents, grandparents, and Independent Children’s Lawyers.

Prior to being called to the bar, Daniel commenced practice as a solicitor in 2015. As a solicitor he worked in a busy general litigation practice, predominately in family law but also in the areas of probate and estate disputes, commercial disputes, real property, and defending ADVO’s and summary criminal charges.

Since he was called to the bar Daniel has appeared in Sydney, Parramatta, Newcastle, Dubbo, Tamworth, and Canberra, and he accepts briefs in all locations, including regional and interstate registries.

Daniel accepts briefs to appear in all areas of family law, as well as contested Probate and Family Provision claims, and summary criminal or ADVO matters.

Alexander Butters

Profile

Alexander Butters was admitted to the Bar in 2022. Prior to coming to the Bar Alex was Special Counsel at a boutique family law firm for three years.

He has obtained experience in a wide range of family disputes including complex parenting and property matters, as well as in contested wills and estates cases. He has expertise in alternative dispute resolution; mediation, negotiation and arbitration.

Prior to his time as a family lawyer practitioner, Alex was a Legal Associate to two judges of the Family Court (as it was then), a position which he held for two years.

Alex accepts briefs to appear in both the city and suburban registries of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia as well as the Supreme Court of New South Wales (Succession list) as well as both the Local and District Court.

Louise Carter

Profile

Louise Carter practices predominately in family law and has experience in a wide range of family law issues, including parenting matters and complex financial matters following the breakdown of a marriage or de-facto relationship.

Prior to being called to the Bar in 2021, Louise was a Senior Associate at a leading family law firm in Sydney and a Family Law Specialist accredited by the Law Society of NSW. Louise has also been recognised in Doyle’s Guide in the area of Family Law.

Prior to her time as a family lawyer, Louise was a Legal Associate to two Family Court judges in Sydney.

Louise accepts briefs to appear in city, suburban and regional Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia matters. Louise also accepts briefs in the areas of estate and family provision law.

Sarwa Abdelraheem

Profile

Sarwa Abdelraheem was called to the Bar in 2019 and is a member of the NSW Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Sarwa was admitted as a solicitor in 2006. As a solicitor she practiced largely in family law matters working both as a solicitor and solicitor advocate. Sarwa worked in various private firms, at the South West Sydney Legal Centre and was principal of a private law firm for over 7 years.

Sarwa has obtained a degree in Law at the University of Technology Sydney and a Masters of Law with a Family Law Major through the College of Law. Sarwa also holds a degree in Communication with a Film Production Major.

Sarwa accepts both private and Legal Aid briefs in all family law and care and protections matters. She has appeared in the Family Court, Federal Circuit Court, Children’s Court and District Court. Sarwa holds an AIFLAM accreditation as an arbitrator.
Sarwa is currently serving on the Bar Association Family Law Committee and as a committee member of the Greater West Family Law Practitioners Association.

Janai Tabbernor

Profile

Janai Tabbernor was admitted to the Bar in 2019, joining Waratah Chambers as a reader with Chris Othen. She is a member of the NSW Bar Association.

Janai comes to the bar after spending two years as the Legal Associate to the Hon. Justice Ryan, Judge of the (then) Full Court of the Family Court of Australia.

Since coming to the bar Janai has primarily acted in a broad range of family law disputes, including complex property (including for third parties) and parenting matters, and advised and appeared in matters in respect of forum and jurisdiction. She has particular expertise in appellate matters from her time as a Legal Associate in the Full Court.

Janai has appeared in the city, suburban and regional Family Law Courts and Federal Circuit Courts, in cross-vesting matters in the NSW Supreme Court, the Children’s Court and in NCAT matters in respect of Child Support. Janai also accepts briefs in the areas of employment, estate and family provision law.

Prior to her time as a Legal Associate Janai was a graduate solicitor at the Crown Solicitors’ Office working in the Inquiries and Torts teams, and has worked as a paralegal at a specialist immigration law firm.

Prior to studying law Janai worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to various federal and NSW Ministers and Shadow Ministers.

Claire Cantrall

Profile

Claire Cantrall was admitted to the Bar in 2014 and is a member of the NSW Bar Association. Prior to coming to the bar, Claire was admitted as a solicitor in 2009 and practiced largely in the area of family law, working as both solicitor and solicitor advocate.

Claire has extensive experience in the Family Law jurisdiction, having acted for parties and children in parenting matters as well as acting in property matters. Claire has appeared before the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia, the Family Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the NSW Supreme Court and the Children’s Court of NSW in various Registries.

Claire has appeared in country sittings of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia throughout NSW.

Claire regularly delivers Continuing Legal Education in family law covering various legal topics, including presentations for the Law Society of NSW, the College of Law and NSW Young Lawyers Family Law Seminars.

Claire was recently named by the Doyle’s Guide as one of the pre-eminent Family Law Junior Counsel in New South Wales and Australia and has contributed to the Council of Law Reporting for NSW Family Law project.

Karen Beck

Profile

Karen was called to the Bar in 2013 after receiving 1st class honours in her Bachelor of Laws. She has practiced solely in family law since that time, appearing in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the Family Court of Australia and the Full Court of the Family Court.

Karen brings to her practice a thorough understanding of family law issues. Her practice includes all areas of family law including property distribution, children’s matters and family violence. She regularly appears as Counsel for the Independent Children’s Lawyer.

With prior experience in the business world and MBA qualifications Karen has the necessary skills to deal with complex financial issues in property matters.

Christopher Othen SC

Profile

Chris Othen commenced practice as a solicitor in England in 1999. Chris migrated to Australia permanently in 2005 when he joined a leading Sydney family law firm. He was accredited as a specialist in family law by the Law Society of NSW shortly after that.

Chris was admitted to the Bar in 2011 and joined Waratah Chambers as a reader with Mr Peter Campton SC and Mr John Levy.

Chris was appointed Senior Counsel in 2024.

Chris has built a reputation as specialist junior Counsel in family law. He has been recognised in Doyles Guide as one of the preeminent Family Law Junior Counsel within Australia.

His practice is predominantly in appearances as advocate, and in the preparation of legal submissions and written and oral opinions.

Chris is an experienced and highly regarded arbitrator of family law property disputes, and has conducted numerous mediations of property and parenting matters. He is accredited as both mediator and arbitrator by the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators.

He is experienced in the following areas:

Appellate work at the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia;
Property adjustment and maintenance proceedings under the Family Law Act;
Claims by or against third parties including in equity, bankruptcy and debt in family law proceedings;
Proceedings to set aside or enforce Financial Agreements;
De facto relationship disputes, including declarations about the existence and/or length of de facto relationships;
Complex parenting cases including those involving allegations of sexual abuse, parental neglect, and relocation;
Family law practice and procedure;
Child Support including child support reviews and appeals;
Real property disputes and caveats
Family provision claims and contested will disputes under the Succession Act (NSW) 2006

Chris presents papers to professional associations in Sydney and in regional cities and towns, and he is one of the authors of CCH’s Master Family Law Guide.

Chris Othen prefers to receive electronic briefs wherever possible, which will not be printed. He accepts them via any service his instructing solicitors like to use including Dropbox and LawConnect. Please contact his clerk for more details if required.

Mary-Clare Kennedy

Profile

Mary-Clare Kennedy was admitted to practice as a solicitor in December 1994, she practiced exclusively in family law matters prior to coming to the Bar in November 2009.

Mary-Clare was an accredited family law practitioner and specializes in parenting and property matters.

Mary-Clare runs cases at first instance in both the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia as well as Appeals before the Full Court of the Family Court.

She has experience and success in matter such as relocation, spouse maintenance, property settlement, Hague convention matters and all types of parenting matters.

Mary-Clare was recently named by the Doyle’s Guide as one of the recommended Family & Divorce Law Junior Counsel in Australia.

Stephen Gardiner

Profile

Mr Gardiner was called to the Bar in 2003. Since then he has developed an extensive practice in family law and related areas. He regularly conducts property matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. His experience includes acting in proceedings for adjustment of interests in property for high wealth individuals. He has acted in matters concerning disputed disclosure and contested valuations and cases involving financial disputes between de facto and marital couples.

Mr Gardiner has also developed considerable experience in parenting and child welfare matters. He has appeared for parents, family members, carers, as counsel for independent representatives and for the state of NSW. He has extensive experience at both trial and appellate levels. Mr Gardiner has appeared in complex and urgent cases in the Supreme Court when it has invoked its parens patriae jurisdiction.

While Mr Gardiner’s primary area of practice is family law, he also practices in administrative and commercial law. He represents clients at mediations, informal settlement conferences, in courts and tribunals (both State and Federal) and on country circuits.

Before coming to the Bar, Mr Gardiner obtained degrees in Arts and Law at the Australian National University. He then worked for a Supreme Court Justice for a year then practiced at a national law firm for five years conducting litigation.

Mr Gardiner is a member of the NSW Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.

David Dura SC

Profile

David Dura is a barrister at Waratah Chambers focusing predominantly in Family Law, including both parenting and property matters, following the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship.

David was admitted as a Solicitor in 1998 after completing the SAB whilst working as a Clerk in Family Law.

Following his admission as a Solicitor, David spent 4½ years practicing in a suburban Family Law firm before making the leap to join the Bar.

Admitted to the Bar in 2002, David first commenced practicing at Edmund Barton Chambers before joining Waratah Chambers as one its founding members in 2008.

David was appointed Senior Counsel in 2023.

David also has experience in ADVO matters and proceedings commenced under the Succession Act.

David was recently named by the Doyle’s Guide as one of the preeminent Family & Divorce Law Junior Counsel in Australia.

Peter Batey

Profile

Peter was called to the Bar in 1981. Since admission he has practiced predominantly in the area of family law, throughout NSW, interstate and overseas. He is a founding member of Waratah Chambers.

Peter’s experience is vast in all areas of Family Law from parenting to complex financial matters, and he is a revered member of the NSW Bar taking many Readers under his wing during his time in practice including several of the current members of Waratah Chambers.

Peter’s areas of practice include the Family Court, Federal Circuit Court, Full Court of the Family Court (Appeals) and CTTT Building and Engineering disputes.

Peter is a member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators and holds AIFLAM accreditation as both a mediator and arbitrator. He is also a member of the Family Law Section of The Law Council of Australia and Chairperson and founding member of the Family Court Observation Watch.

Peter was recently named by the Doyle’s Guide as one of the preeminent Family Law Junior Counsel in Australia.