Katrene Halteh is the Principal Lawyer and Director of Urban Family Lawyers, a leading law firm in New South Wales. With almost two decades of professional experience in the legal field, Katrene is committed to empowering and guiding her clients through challenging family law and estate-related matters with skill, compassion, and dedication.
Katrene’s expertise lies in handling complex family law matters, including parenting disputes, property settlements, and Binding Financial and Child Support Agreements. She is renowned for her practical approach to resolving disputes, ensuring her clients achieve tailored solutions without unnecessary financial or emotional strain. When required, her strong advocacy skills shine as she effectively represents clients in contested litigation before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, as demonstrated by her success in cases like Clowes & Konig [2022] FedCFamC1F 565.
In addition to family law, Katrene has extensive experience in wills and estates, estate planning, and estate litigation, including contested wills and family provision claims. Her ability to blend legal expertise across these interconnected areas ensures her clients are supported through every stage of life’s key moments, from planning for their future to resolving disputes within the family.
Katrene is also deeply engaged with her local community, providing pro bono advice to registered charities and working closely with individuals in need. She has been honoured with a Business Achievement Award at the 13th Annual St George Community Awards and was named a Finalist in the Georges River Local Business Awards in 2024. These recognitions reflect her dedication not only to legal excellence but also to meaningful community involvement.
Areas of Practice:
- Complex family law matters, including parenting disputes and property settlements
- Binding Financial Agreements and Binding Child Support Agreements
- Wills and estate planning
- Estate litigation, including contested wills and family provision claims
Katrene prides herself on offering holistic legal solutions that address the unique needs of her clients while maintaining a focus on practical and compassionate guidance. As a leader in her profession, she continues to set an exemplary standard in the areas of family law and estate litigation.
Zoë Durand is an accomplished family lawyer at Urban Family Lawyers, bringing a wealth of experience and an unparalleled perspective to her clients. With a career spanning private practice, Legal Aid as a Court Appointed Independent Children’s Lawyer, and large international commercial firms such as K&L Gates and HFW, Zoë combines her deep understanding of family law with a financial acumen that is invaluable in property matters. Her unique insight into the best interests of children in complex parenting disputes ensures she consistently delivers tailored and holistic solutions for her clients.
Zoë is highly regarded for her expertise in drafting persuasive affidavits, advocacy, and providing strategic advice on Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) and Binding Child Support Agreements. In addition, she is passionate about creating meaningful outcomes for families, balancing sharp legal knowledge with a compassionate and approachable demeanour.
Her career includes significant accolades and contributions to the field of family law. Zoë won the 2019 and 2020 APAC Insider Legal Awards for Family Law Mediator of the Year and received the 2019 Best Family Law Publication award for her seminal work, Inside Family Law. The book is widely recognised as a “must read” in the field, praised by The Honourable Peter Rose AM QC and included on the recommended reading lists at multiple universities.
A leading voice in family law education, Zoë hosts the Inside Family Law Podcast, on which she has interviewed judges and key experts in the family law process across Australia and internationally. As a correspondent, she has conducted interviews with family law keynote speakers for the AFCC, FLENA, and Pacifica Congress Conferences. Zoë has also contributed as an editor to the CCH Master Family Law Guide and Family Law Practice and Procedure, authored case notes for the Law Society Journal, and guest lectured at UNSW. Additionally, Zoë has written and created an award-winning film on family law mediation, which has been recommended by current and former judges as a valuable resource for both practitioners and parties.
Areas of Practice:
- Complex parenting matters, with emphasis on children’s best interests
- Advocacy in family law litigation
- Drafting detailed, persuasive affidavits
- Binding Financial Agreements (BFAs) and Binding Child Support Agreements
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
Zoë’s contributions to family law extend beyond legal practice to include thought leadership and education, making her an exceptional member of the Urban Family Lawyers team. Her commitment to excellence and innovation ensures her clients receive not only expert legal advice but also empathetic, forward-thinking solutions to their family law challenges.
Suna is a dedicated solicitor at Urban Family Lawyers, with a strong focus on family law and litigation. Her extensive experience spans complex family disputes, estate litigation, and construction disputes, making her a versatile and skilled advocate for her clients. With a sharp analytical mind and a commitment to justice, Suna delivers in-depth legal strategies aimed at achieving the best possible outcomes in challenging and emotionally charged matters.
Graduating with Honours from Macquarie University, Suna holds a double degree in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Law. Her academic background includes international studies in the United Kingdom and France, equipping her with a global perspective on legal practice and a keen understanding of diverse jurisdictions.
In the realm of family law, Suna provides clients with practical, results-driven advice across a range of matters, including parenting disputes, property settlements, and Binding Financial Agreements. Her litigation expertise ensures robust representation in contested family law proceedings, where she remains a calm and determined advocate for her clients’ interests.
Suna also draws on her history in estate litigation and construction disputes to navigate a variety of complex legal challenges. Her well-rounded experience in these areas allows her to guide clients through intricate legal frameworks while addressing their unique needs.
Beyond her legal practice, Suna is an advocate for addressing socio-economic barriers to justice. She approaches each client with empathy and understanding, often assisting with non-legal challenges to provide a holistic level of support during difficult times.
Areas of Practice:
- Family law, including parenting disputes and property settlements
- Litigation in family law matters
- Estate litigation and disputes
- Construction disputes
Suna’s commitment to fairness, her strong work ethic, and her empathetic approach to client care ensure she brings both professionalism and compassion to every case. When not practising law, Suna enjoys staying active through squash, ocean swimming, rowing, and spending quality time with loved ones, embodying the balance and resilience she applies to her professional life.
Vladimira is a skilled solicitor at Urban Family Lawyers, bringing a wealth of international and local experience to her practice. Originally from Slovakia, Vladimira completed her Master of Laws in 2008 and practised as a solicitor in Slovakia before migrating to Australia in 2010. After further studies in Australian law, she was admitted to practice as a solicitor in Australia, where she has since built a diverse and accomplished career.
While Vladimira’s passion lies in family law, her extensive background in commercial law and property matters enables her to provide exceptional service to her clients. Her knowledge and experience in complex commercial matters—including business structuring, sale of business transactions, leasing, debt recovery, and corporate insolvency—are underpinned by her time working for a top-tier firm in Australia. This unique combination of skills allows Vladimira to assist clients with complex financial and property issues arising in family law disputes.
In the realm of family law, Vladimira is known for her practical, no-nonsense approach, particularly when acting for clients in parenting matters. She works tirelessly to find realistic and tailored solutions, whether in disputes involving parenting or property. Her capability to navigate multifaceted property transactions and her strategic insight into financial arrangements make her a trusted adviser for clients dealing with intricate family legal matters.
Vladimira’s calm, professional demeanour is complemented by a warm and approachable personality that helps clients feel supported at every step of their legal journey. Her ability to blend pragmatic problem-solving with compassionate client care ensures that her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Areas of Practice:
- Family law, including parenting matters and property settlements
- Complex property and financial matters in family law
- Binding Financial Agreements
- Binding Child Support Agreements
When she isn’t assisting her clients, Vladimira leads an active lifestyle, enjoying yoga, boxing, and running. She also appreciates the quieter moments, immersing herself in reading, experimenting in the kitchen, and spending quality time with family and friends. Vladimira’s balanced approach to life and law makes her a valued member of the Urban Family Lawyers team.
Charlie Pollock is a highly skilled solicitor with significant expertise in property law, specialising in residential purchases and sales. As an Associate Solicitor at Urban Family Lawyers, Charlie combines her meticulous legal knowledge with a dedication to making every property transaction seamless and stress-free for her clients. Whether assisting first-time buyers or experienced property investors, Charlie’s attention to detail, pragmatic approach, and thorough understanding of conveyancing law set her apart as a trusted adviser in property transactions.
In addition to her property law expertise, Charlie focuses on estate planning and estate administration, delivering thoughtful and practical solutions to individuals and families. She advises clients on a range of estate planning matters, including wills, powers of attorney, enduring guardianship appointments, and strategies to minimise family conflict and protect vulnerable beneficiaries. Charlie has extensive experience assisting executors and administrators with probate, letters of administration, estate litigation, and contested estate matters.
Charlie excels at guiding clients through complex legal processes with clarity, compassion, and professionalism. Her ability to help blended families, business owners, and elderly clients navigate the intricate world of succession planning reflects her commitment to empowering individuals to make confident decisions about their future. Her calm, practical demeanour and the strong client relationships she builds ensure her clients feel secure and supported at every step of their legal journey.
Areas of Practice:
- Property law (residential sales and purchases)
- Conveyancing and smooth navigation of property transactions
- Estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, and enduring guardianship)
- Probate and letters of administration
- Estate administration and litigation
- Succession planning for blended families, business owners, and vulnerable beneficiaries
Charlie’s passion for simplifying legal processes and her ability to communicate legal complexities in an accessible manner make her an invaluable member of the Urban Family Lawyers team. Whether in property law or estate matters, Charlie is committed to achieving exceptional results for her clients while prioritising their peace of mind.
Melissa is our resident senior paralegal and financial misconduct and investigations specialist. Melissa brings over two decades of experience in uncovering financial abuse, coercive control, and misconduct within personal and commercial structures. At Urban Family Lawyers, she plays a key role in complex property matters—tracing hidden assets, analysing trust and business entities, and supporting vulnerable clients through trauma-informed, investigative legal support.
Her unique background in financial services, construction, and behavioural investigation enables Urban Family Lawyers to offer in-house financial analysis and internal case audits—setting Urban Family Lawyers apart in matters where power, money, and control intersect.
Her work strengthens the firm’s ability to represent vulnerable parties, uncover hidden financial dynamics, and prepare matters for negotiation, mediation, or litigation with strategic depth.
Melissa is the author of The Heart of Hope, a candid first-person account of her experience with domestic abuse. Melissa opens up about her formative years as an immigrant to Australia and the situations which led her to motherhood as a teenager. Melissa shares her suffering of psychological, financial and physical abuse at the hands of her partner.
Tamarisi is our resident legal assistan and law student at Macquarie University, with a passion for justice and a strong commitment to excellence in a fully fledged future lawyer. Throughout her time at Urban Family Lawyers, she has developed and refined her skills in supporting clients through initial intakes and enquiries to lawyers in family law, wills and estates, eager to apply her skills to real-world challenges.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Tamaris is known for her analytical mindset, attention to detail, and ability to approach complex legal challenges with creativity and precision. She has a keen interest in advocacy and policy reform and is always looking for opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact in the legal field.
In her free time, Tamaris enjoys reading historical novels, hiking in nature, and exploring new cuisines through cooking and dining out.
Tamarisi is excited to bring her knowledge, enthusiasm, and drive to Urban Family Lawyers as she continues to build her career in law.
Evangelina is a passionate law student at the University of New South Wales, with aspirations to complete a Master’s degree in Family Law. She is deeply committed to helping families navigate challenging legal situations with empathy and professionalism.
Known for her thoughtful approach and strong work ethic, Evangelina is particularly interested in family law, wills and estate litigation. She is dedicated to building a meaningful career where she can make a positive difference in people’s lives.
In her free time, Evangelina enjoys playing soccer, getting lost in a good book, and expressing her creativity through crafting.
Evangelina looks forward to contributing her passion and expertise to Urban Family Lawyers as she pursues her journey toward becoming a family law specialist.
Urban Family Lawyers acquired Anne Day’s practice in December 2021. Anne Day successfully ran the practice Anne Day and Associates in Penshurst and Oatley for over 20 years. Anne practiced law as a solicitor since 1988 and worked extensively in a number of firms. Anne has undertaken volunteer work between 1999 and 2009 at Marrickville Legal Centre in her commitment to improving access to justice and currently continues to volunteer her time and knowledge to the Centre.
Anne is taking a well earned break from practice after many years of service to her clients and the profession. Urban Family Lawyers retains Anne’s files and safe custody documents. Please reach out to us if you have any questions at [email protected]
Where to find us
We have two location and can meet locally if you are near the Georges River area or in the Sydney CBD.
Riverwood office: Suite 3.2, Level 3, 5-7 Littleton St, Riverwood, NSW. Free three-hour parking located in the basement or 150m from Riverwood train station.
City office: Level 21, 133 Castlereagh St, Sydney, NSW. A short walk from Town Hall or St James train station.
We are happy to arrange for video meetings via Zoom or Microsoft Teams for your convenience.