Your first step
Three pathways to resolution
We team with you as your trusted partner “end to end”.
Your individual circumstances will determine the way forward.
There are three pathways to a resolution: amicable, a mediated settlement, and more urgent or complex pathways.
Amicable
You and your partner have decided to separate. You are communicating well. You have a reasonably clear understanding of your financial settlement and (if relevant) the care of your children.
We ensure your desired settlement is within the required legal parameters and is professionally documented in a binding form to enable you to move forward independently with certainty. Avoid the risk of unexpected second “bites” down the track.
A mediated settlement
You have separated. There is some level of co-operation. You may have some idea of how your settlement should be shared.
We help you to anticipate, identify and understand the practical boundaries, and explore with you that which is likely “to work.” We guide you towards a sensible, commercial, child-focussed resolution. We defuse the hotspots and invoke a strategy.
Finally, we document your resolution, affording you security and freedom to move forward: financially-independent and parenting effectively.
Urgent. Unexpected. Complex.
Your situation is unravelling rapidly. You can’t agree on anything.
Your partner is aggressive or threatening or dissipating assets.
Your children are being moved away from you.
Helen Suke outlines the three pathways to resolution.
Our strength
Complex financial matters are our forte
Our expertise also covers
financial agreements (pre-nuptial and cohabitation)
corporate and trust structures, loan accounts and beneficiary entitlements
tax effective settlement opportunities
international businesses, foreign jurisdictions, residents and offshore investments
instructing single experts, adversarial forensic accountants and valuers
legal structures relating to the management of intergenerational wealth
defined benefit and self-managed superannuation assets
the interface between estate law and relationship law
child centred parenting resolutions
complex parenting scenarios, including relocation
Our approach
You arrive with your unique story
We hold your story in our trusted team environment
We partner with you throughout the process
When to contact
Be proactive | Connect early
Team
Teagan McEwan
Senior Associate
Teagan began working in Family Law whilst studying in Perth, Western Australia, and has 12-years’ experience within Family Law. Teagan has worked within multiple jurisdictions including Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Teagan practices across all areas of Family Law and has a particular interest in complex property matters including trustee in bankruptcy and family violence.
Teagan has experience in Commercial Litigation with a prominent Commercial Law firm in Melbourne where she worked on complex commercial disputes and interpretation, trustee in bankruptcy matters, shareholder and partnership disputes as well as quasi criminal building order matters. Teagan’s background and skills stand her in good stead to understand the complications that may come with family law and commercial transactions. Many complex family law situations often have commercial and financial ramifications.
Teagan is an advocate for alternate dispute resolution, such as Mediations, though she does have extensive experience in litigation for matters that require judicial determination. Teagan has developed strong advocacy skills during her regular Court appearances in the Federal Circuit Court & Family Court of Australia and Magistrates Court in various Australian States. Suke & Associates is delighted by the early impact that Teagan has made in serving our clients.
Maddison McCarthy
Associate
Maddison began working in Family Law whilst completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Melbourne having previously obtained a Bachelor of Arts. Maddison joined our team as a Law Graduate and is now an Associate of our firm.
Maddison gained two years’ experience in a Boutique Family Law team prior to joining our team, working in administrative, paralegal and law graduate roles. In that time, Maddison worked on complex property and parenting matters and Intervention Order matters and has instructed at Interim and Final Hearings in the Family Courts and Intervention Order Proceedings in the Magistrates Court of Victoria.
Outside of work hours, Maddison has worked on significant legal research projects, including an ongoing access to justice project with Fitzroy Legal Service, and excels at undertaking legal research into complex and nuanced family law issues.
Maddison has also volunteered with Senior Rights Victoria, helping vulnerable individuals to navigate confronting legal issues they are faced with. Maddison is particularly well placed to understand capacity issues which can arise in relation to family law matters and work with the most vulnerable family law clients to help them feel at ease and understand their options and dispute resolution processes.
Khloe Saw
Associate
Khloe has worked within both family law and commercial litigation teams in boutique private practice for over 10-years.
In recent years, Khloe’s practise has focused solely on family law matters, including complex parenting and property negotiations and proceedings, de facto relationships and intervention order matters.
Khloe has represented clients in proceedings in both the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria in a wide range of matters, providing comprehensive, legally sound advice across the various stages. Khloe strives to resolve matters by agreement wherever possible, but appreciates the role that litigation plays for her clients in bringing sometimes highly adversarial disputes to a finality.
Khloe brings a calm, caring and pragmatic approach to her practise. Khloe values being an approachable and trusted advisor to her clients and understands the importance of working with them to come to know their unique story, to then tailor considered, practical solutions.
Linda Ho
Paralegal
Linda holds an Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) and is well tuned into all aspects of family and relationship law as well as general legal practice. When you contact SAA you will often be greeted by Linda who greatly enjoys assisting our clients and supporting our team.
Linda is passionate about her Western Bulldogs. Early morning hikes and runs also flow through her days, dragging her partner along with her and then retiring to the couch to watch the footy.
Michelle Bazarskaya
Paralegal | Law Graduate
Michelle is one of our SAA paralegals, being the vital glue that connects our team and our clients. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Global Studies from Australian Catholic University and has also studied for a semester in International Law at Radbound University in the Netherlands. Michelle is an experienced paralegal/law graduate having previous experience in family law and litigation at a boutique law firm. She has also volunteered at Youthlaw Community Legal Centre. Michelle loves to travel and is a passionate Essendon supporter (is there any other kind?)
Kathryn Ashe
Paralegal | Law Graduate
Kathryn is SAA’s resident hockey player!
Kathryn is also part of our fabulous Paralegal Team, having graduated from Deakin University in April, 2022 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce, completing her PLT at Leo Cussen in July 2022 and being admitted to practice in September, 2023.
Kathryn has experience within the specialty family law space both at a boutique family law firm and a city-based firm. Kathryn also gained valuable experience in the family violence space, having volunteered to assist the duty lawyers at both Moorabbin and Frankston Magistrate Courts in mid 2022.
Kathryn loves “her Pies” (of the AFL Magpie variety), maintaining excellent fitness and being immersed in the world of competitive hockey. Kathryn’s “can do” attitude is enjoyed by all who come into contact with her, making her an important member of Team SAA.
Karen Kennedy
Finance Manager
Karen’s extensive experience bolsters our SAA Team with her finance management skills spanning more than two decades.
Karen injects humour and unfailing “can do” energy into our team and instils proficiency and focussed processes to keep SAA humming.
Tim Suke
Wellness Wizard
Tim provides the sparkle.
Popping champagne and gathering cupcakes to celebrate team milestones.
Tim operated a boutique photography business for almost three-decades, working discretely with high-profile clients and families. Tim has a sensitive insight into people.
“Looking through the [camera] lens narrows our focus on what is important”
In the media
The Suke & Associates team enjoy sharing their specialised knowledge via radio, podcasts, print and social media.
Denis Walter OAM is a Melbourne media stalwart and recording artist who never misses an opportunity to spruik is beloved Geelong Cats.
Helen talks with Denis and 3AW listeners (taking your calls) on Nights with Denis Walter and gently reminds Denis (off ‘air’) that her mighty Hawks have won more AFL premierships than Geelong in less years of competition.
The Herald Sun’s Weekend publication on 8 June 2019 featured our Practice Principal, Helen, talking about amicable uncoupling in an article titled “Happily Divorced.”
Clarence Workplaces for Lawyers hosted a triple-threat CPD event wherein Helen outlined asset protection and financial agreements. Read more.
The Tax Institute hosted “The do’s and don’ts of family law and tax” in January 2020, featuring Helen Suke. Read more.
Talking with Australasian Lawyer about the challenge of retaining women in the legal profession and not making it home for dinner. Read more.
The College of Law explore the implications of maternity leave within the legal profession. Read more.
Australian Lawyer appraises the progress being made towards leveraging the female and male talent of lawyers in Australia. Read more.
Contact
PHONE: +61 03 9960 3800
FAX: +61 3 8256 0101
ADDRESS
Level 20 | 600 Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000 VIC Australia
© Suke & Associates Pty Ltd 2021. Website by SS.