Karen Jones

Director

Karen prides herself on her professional and client-focused work ethic, ensuring the needs of her clients are met in a diligent and cost-effective manner. This requires taking a sound and practical approach in all family law proceedings.

Karen was admitted to practice in 1993, and since her admission, has practised almost exclusively in family law and has developed a thorough knowledge of complex financial settlements (involving company and trust structures) arising from the breakdown of domestic (de-facto) and marital relationships. Karen has a wide and varied client base involving children's matters, the preparation of Financial Agreements, Wills, Estate Administration and minor criminal matters.

• B.Bus , Dip.Ed , LLB

• Law Institute of Victoria

• Family Law Section of Law Council of Australia

• Eastern Community Legal Centre

• Eastern Solicitors Law Association

Eliza Jones

Director and Accredited Family Law Specialist

Eliza has been with the firm since its inception in 2003. Eliza has practised exclusively in family law, so has an enhanced understanding of family law matters and is attuned to the needs of her clients. In 2015, Eliza attained Accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria as a Family Law Specialist. Through her experience at JH Legal, she has acquired a broad knowledge of complex financial matters (between both married and de-facto couples) often involving company and trust structures, children's issues, child support disputes, conveyancing and property transactions, relocation cases and divorce applications.

Eliza has a comprehensive understanding of the commercial realities involved in negotiating a family law settlement and attempting to reach a resolution as expeditiously and as cost-effectively as possible for her clients. Eliza has a working style that combines practicality with empathy and is excellent at communicating complex ‘legalese’ in plain English.

Eliza is integral to the promotion and advancement of the firm and its continued success.

Eliza is currently on maternity leave and will be returning in 2024.
(Congratulations on the safe arrival of little baby Quinn!)

Bronwyn Drummond

Accredited Family Law Specialist

Bronwyn is committed to assisting her clients resolve the wide variety of issues that can arise upon the breakdown of relationships, as promptly and cost-effectively as possible. Those issues include property division, superannuation splitting (including SMSF and small SPRA funds), spousal maintenance, children's arrangements (including a child's living and care arrangements, school selection, prevention of removal from Australia and children's financial support), determining parentage, divorce applications, family violence Intervention Orders and other injunctions and restraining orders.

Bronwyn assists her clients resolve matters by ensuring they understand their options and the range of possible outcomes and, if possible, avoid litigation. Should litigation be the appropriate approach, then Bronwyn has the experience required to assist her clients pursue the orders or entitlements they seek through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Having worked exclusively in family law for well over 20 years and been recognised as an Accredited Family Law Specialist since 1998, Bronwyn joined JH Legal in February 2020. Bronwyn also worked as a family dispute resolution practitioner between 2008 and 2009 before returning to family law. Bronwyn continues to be a member of the Family Lawyers Panel operated by Relationships Australia, Victoria.

• Bachelor of Laws, Monash University

• Bachelor of Science, Monash University

• Law Institute of Victoria

• Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia

• Lawyers' Panel, Relationships Australia, Victoria

Jessica Caldwell

Accredited Family Law Specialist

Jessica believes her clients should understand their entitlements and obligations in order to reach a result they believe in. She likes to arm her clients with the information they need, provide her expert recommendations and canvass options together so that her clients can make informed decisions. Jessica's preference is for clients to reach a settlement they are emotionally and financially comfortable with.

Jessica regularly assists her clients in navigating a wide variety of family law issues, including the resolution of property settlements, parenting matters and divorce. She is interested in helping those clients whose partner may have historically been in control of their family's finances. She is creative in her approach and works with her clients towards solutions they may not have considered.

Since commencing her legal career in 2007, Jessica has practised exclusively in family law. In 2015, Jessica attained Accreditation from the Law Institute of Victoria as a Family Law Specialist. Jessica takes pride in providing clients with clear and practical advice with a focus on reaching a resolution in a cost-effective way.

• Bachelor of Laws, Monash University

• Bachelor of Arts, Monash University

• Law Institute of Victoria

• Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia

Tayla Morton

Solicitor

Tayla has been passionate about pursuing a career in law, particularly in family law, since secondary school. She complemented her university studies with internships at Victoria Legal Aid and WEstjustice, which only reaffirmed her passion for family law.

Tayla completed her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Victoria University in 2018. Tayla started working for JH Legal as a component of her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Leo Cussen Institute for Law in 2019 and was employed by JH Legal after her admission in 2019. Her growing knowledge of conveyancing matters will assist in negotiating and implementing family law settlements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Laws, Victoria University

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Victoria University

• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Leo Cussen Centre for Law

MEMBERSHIPS

• Law Institute of Victoria

• Family Law Section of Law Council of Australia

• Eastern Solicitors Law Association

Christine Cowin

Accredited Family Law Specialist

For over 35 years, Christine (Chris) has provided Family Law information and advice to help people understand their legal options and make decisions for the future.

Chris initially obtained her specialist accreditation in Family Law in 1992 and has a particular interest in financial matters including complex financial arrangements, trusts, companies and third parties, superannuation splitting and valuation issues.

Chris understands the complexities of family relationships and how other areas of law including personal injury compensation, wills and estates and commercial transactions may impact family law outcomes.

As a qualified mediator with an interest in assisting parties in reaching an agreement, Chris works at problem-solving in a practical, pragmatic and empathetic manner.

Chris has extensive experience in legal proceedings, engaging with the Courts, Barristers and other experts where required. Chris has been a Board Member and Deputy Chair of the Eastern Community Legal Centre for over ten years.

• Member of the Law Institute of Victoria

• Law Council of Australia Family Section

• Eastern Solicitors Law Association

• Board Member and Deputy Chair of Eastern Community Legal Centre

Annie Goodson

Legal Assistant

Annie joined JH Legal in 2009. She has a wealth of experience as a legal assistant, as well as performing front-of-house and administration duties having worked in law firms and barristers' chambers in both Melbourne and London. Annie oversees the reception area and ensures a warm, friendly and professional introduction to our firm.