Experience

The Family Law Project - Specialist Family Lawyers

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founding Director - since 2012

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  The Family Law Project is a specialist National Family Law firm founded in 2012. We have clients in most States of Australia.I am the founding Director of The FLP. Back in 2012 I was experiencing frustration around the lack of quality and accessible Family Law services in both SA and interstate. The FLP fills the gap between those who do not qualify for legal aid and those who wish to avoid bill shock. We are completely transparent with our fixed fee billing. Clients who are "asset rich but cash poor" also are provided with deferred payment options to ensure that they have quality legal representation. We ensure efficient and accessible services through the use of technology and thinking differently from a traditional law firm. We use meeting rooms as opposed to a traditional law firm office. We are paperless. Our staff work remotely where possible and are able to access all files on their laptops and mobiles [Pre Covid!].I am also a qualified Independent Children's Lawyer and receive regular appointments from the Court to act for children. The FLP also started with an idea that a Law Firm could be socially responsible. Oxymoron?! The firm is socially responsible: a percentage of fees goes to our partner charities, we stock Fair Trade products and provide our clients with Thankyou Water and gift their products. We recycle as much as possible and aim for paperless files. We use Who Gives a Crap toilet paper and support Goodwill wine! We have raised over $50k to date through our charity work and annual 500km charity bike rides in Thailand.www.familylawproject.com.au Show less

• 🏆 2022 Winner Thought Leader of the Year

  • Nov 2022 - Present

  𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

• Online Parenting Course - helping clients stay out of Court and reach Parenting Agreements

  • Oct 2022 - Oct 2022

  𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻You did not plan to be here. Nobody goes into a relationship planning to break up! That’s ok, you’re in the right place.Are you trying to reach an agreement with your ex partner about arrangements for your children? Perhaps you are trying to negotiate directly with your ex partner. Perhaps you may be using a mediation service or even already have the assistance of a Lawyer. Either way, you may not feel like you are not armed with enough knowledge to know where to start or what the law says about what is best for children. You may be relying too much on well meaning friends and family or the internet which isn’t giving you accurate information.Want some tips to help you stay out of Court and save in legal fees?This online course will give you all the tools you need to help navigate arrangements for your children when you separate. It is suitable if your separation has been amicable … or not so amicable!The course is beneficial for those going it alone without Lawyers and also for those currently have a Lawyer. Either way, you’ll get tips to stay out of Court, learn the legal process and what the law says about parenting matters You will learn how you can formalise any arrangements for the kids.𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗴𝗲𝘁:Over 40 videos across 7 Modules to watch at your own paceA detailed Parenting Plan template and Guide prepared by an experienced LawyerFact sheetsan e-copy of of our Amazon #1 selling book - Secrets of a Divorce Lawyer: An Insider’s Guide for Successfully Navigating Separation and Saving on Legal Fees”Plus Hundreds of Practical and Legal Tips to help you navigate this difficult timeWant in?!https://the-family-law-project.mykajabi.com/family-law-parenting?fbclid=IwAR1ngRGm4NLJJVqOiT40OFKFmDwg5VIZ5U0G7iyegI0Q9wXdBicucZYiKbc Show less



Lawyers Weekly

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 🙌 2022 Finalist - Innovator of the Year (Individual) & Innovator of the Year (Firm)

  • Nov 2022 - Nov 2022

  Named a finalist in the National Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in 2022 for the categories "Innovator of the Year" (individual) and also The Family Law Project for" Innovator of the Year" (team) Named a finalist in the National Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in 2022 for the categories "Innovator of the Year" (individual) and also The Family Law Project for" Innovator of the Year" (team)



Lawyers Weekly

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 🙌 2021 Finalist Women in Law Awards: "Innovator of the Year" (Firm)

  • Nov 2021 - Nov 2021

  The Family Law Project was named a finalist in National Awards run by Lawyers Weekly. This year we are named a finalist in the "Innovator of the Year" category The Family Law Project was named a finalist in National Awards run by Lawyers Weekly. This year we are named a finalist in the "Innovator of the Year" category



The Family Law Project - Specialist Family Lawyers

• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 💕 Finalist 2021 Law Society South Australia Justice Award

  • Aug 2021 - Aug 2021

  I was the only person named a finalist in the 2021 Law Society of South Australia Justice Award. The other finalists were service providers (ie not individuals). What a privilege to be named a finalist and receive this recognition of my ongoing support to both service providers and clients in the Family Law space. I was the only person named a finalist in the 2021 Law Society of South Australia Justice Award. The other finalists were service providers (ie not individuals). What a privilege to be named a finalist and receive this recognition of my ongoing support to both service providers and clients in the Family Law space.



Shaya Lewis-Dermody, Author

• Author: "Secrets of a Divorce Lawyer: Insider's Guide for Navigating Separation & Saving Legal Fees"

  • Jun 2021 - Jun 2021

  🏆 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 #𝟭 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 🏆 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁? 𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺? 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺, 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘀? It doesn’t matter if your separation is amicable or if it is high conflict, nor does it matter if you are self-represented or currently have a lawyer – Secrets of a Divorce Lawyer will provide you with guidance and cost-saving tips to navigate the complex Family Law system. It could potentially save you thousands of dollars when resolving your property or parenting matter. Lawyers are one of the most distrusted professions in Australia. They have a reputation for overcharging clients while lining their own pockets. In this book, Shaya Lewis-Dermody, a specialist family lawyer with almost twenty years’ experience, recognises the challenges of dealing with lawyers and navigating the Family Law process. Having seen it all, Shaya doesn’t believe in dirty tricks. She also doesn’t believe in keeping them a secret! 𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿: • The tricks that lawyers use to generate fees and ‘milk’ your matter; • How choosing the wrong lawyer could cost you thousands; • How to choose the right lawyer if you choose to engage one; • Tips to stay out of court; • Tips for self-represented litigants – for matters both in and out of court; • Ways to significantly reduce your legal fees if you do decide to instruct a lawyer. 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻: https://www.amazon.com.au/Secrets-Divorce-Lawyer-Successfully-Navigating-ebook/dp/B0985N8FB2 Show less



Lawyers Weekly

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 🙌 Finalist - Thought Leader & Innovator Women in Law Awards

  • Nov 2020 - Nov 2020

  I was named a 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 in the 2020 Women in Law Awards in the categories "Thought Leader of the Year" and "Innovator of the Year" 🙌 🙌 I was named a 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 in the 2020 Women in Law Awards in the categories "Thought Leader of the Year" and "Innovator of the Year" 🙌 🙌



Shaya Lewis-Dermody, Author

• Author: “Separate Ways: Surviving Post-Separation Grief & the Stress of Separation”

  • Jun 2020 - Jun 2020

  🏆 #𝟭 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝟰 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 🙌𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 The book explores the concept of loss and grief following relationship breakdown. It provides an understanding of grief and loss in the context of separation, strategies to survive the period and input from mental health professionals. Practical advice to help navigate the family law system. A must read for anyone who has separated, regardless of whether the separation has been amicable or one of a high level of conflict. 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗘: “Shaya provides great insight into very real and varied experiences and emotions that people face when relationships break up”. - 𝗗𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗗𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗼 - 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 “In this exceptional book, Shaya Lewis-Dermody effectively draws on her wisdom and experience as a Family Law expert to encapsulate the raw emotions experienced through the process of separation. She provides an empowering approach to moving beyond the separation with simple to follow ideas and helpful resources” - 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗡𝗶𝘀𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀 - 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 “Shaya’s book confirms what her style of practice as a family lawyer already suggested: she authentically values the emotional perspectives of her clients. A lawyer with heart, giving both sensible and thoughtful guidance to those whose hearts are grieving following separation.” −𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 & 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿 “Without doubt, Separate Ways is one of best guides on this most thorny of issues that I've ever seen. It covers it all: law, psychology, support, self-care. Do yourself or someone else who needs it a favour; buy this book.” 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀, 𝗖𝗘𝗢, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗽 Show less



Lawyers Weekly

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 🙌 Finalist! Women in Law Awards - Thought Leader of the Year

  • Nov 2019 - Nov 2019

  Finalist in the 2019 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in category "Thought Leader of the Year" 🙌 Finalist in the 2019 Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in category "Thought Leader of the Year" 🙌



Legal Aid NSW

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Family Lawyer

  • May 2011 - Aug 2012

  I was Sydney based but also fortunate to travel and work in other parts of NSW such as Dubbo and Woolongong. I worked out of both the Sydney and Parramatta Courts and also in the Child Protection space. I often conducted work representing children in both jurisdictions. I was Sydney based but also fortunate to travel and work in other parts of NSW such as Dubbo and Woolongong. I worked out of both the Sydney and Parramatta Courts and also in the Child Protection space. I often conducted work representing children in both jurisdictions.



Legal Services Commission of South Australia

• Australia
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Family Lawyer

  • 2008 - 2011

  While employed by LSC I was in an outreach role to Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement. I was able to represent Aboriginal adults and children trying to navigate the family law system being a system which was not suitable for many of the families I worked with. I was often appointed by the Court to represent Aboriginal children in this rewarding role. While employed by LSC I was in an outreach role to Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement. I was able to represent Aboriginal adults and children trying to navigate the family law system being a system which was not suitable for many of the families I worked with. I was often appointed by the Court to represent Aboriginal children in this rewarding role.



Family Law Results

• New Zealand
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Solicitor

  • 2007 - 2008

  A fantastic opportunity to work in Papakura, Auckland. In this role I learnt more about the New Zealand jurisdiction and was particularly interested in the 'cross over' of jurisdictions between Family Law and Child Protection. I loved working with kiwi whanau and also Samoan and Tongan families. A fantastic opportunity to work in Papakura, Auckland. In this role I learnt more about the New Zealand jurisdiction and was particularly interested in the 'cross over' of jurisdictions between Family Law and Child Protection. I loved working with kiwi whanau and also Samoan and Tongan families.



Dixon Gallasch Pty Ltd

• Australia
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Family Lawyer

  • May 2005 - Oct 2007

  I started to cut my teeth in this role which was the first time I started running my own court appearances. This was a very busy family law practice which was a fantastic opportunity to 'hit the ground running'! I started to cut my teeth in this role which was the first time I started running my own court appearances. This was a very busy family law practice which was a fantastic opportunity to 'hit the ground running'!



Boylan Lawyers

• Australia
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Solicitor

  • 2002 - 2005

  In this role I was based in a country town in South Australia for over 3 years. A large portion of my work was Family Law and I was also able to learn other general areas of law such as PI, Estate work and conveyancing.

• Instructing Solicitor - London Court of Appeal

  • Jul 2004 - Jul 2004

  I was the representative of the law firm to travel to London to represent our client in the London Court of Appeal. In that matter we were arguing that Britain had breached the human rights of children who had sought their protection. Children had previously escaped Australian immigration detention and approached the British Consulate in Melbourne for protection. They were instead handed back to the Australian immigration authorities who locked the children in detention in remote outback Australia. I attended London in the lead up and preparation for the hearing and also attended the hearing. Show less

• Instructing Solicitor - High Court of Australia

  • Apr 2004 - Apr 2004

  Acting as instructing solicitor for one of the parties, I was able to assist prepare the matter and attend the High Court of Australia in Canberra as instructing solicitor from the firm. I attended with Counsel and also assisted Senior Counsel at the hearing. This was the appeal from the Full Court of Australia in the matter of 𝘽 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘼𝙛𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙨. The appeal was upheld and the Australian Government was successful in being able to deport the subject children from Australia. Show less

• Instructing Solicitor - Full Court of Family Court of Australia

  • Jun 2003 - Jun 2003

  I was the instructing solicitor in 𝘽 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘼𝙛𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙨. High profile Australian case involving the asylum seeking Bakhtiyari family and the order of the Full Family Court for the release of the children from detention centre. Case involved analysis of the Migration Act and Family Law Act and also considered the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The question was whether the Family Court had jurisdiction to release the children from immigration detention. The Australian Minister for Immigration was opposed to the release of the children from detention. I was fortunate to have contact with the family at the time (including visits to client at Baxter Detention Centre) and also attend the Full Court hearing in Sydney. We were successful at this juncture (Aus government subsequently appealed to the High Court of Australia where we were overturned). Show less