Katrene Halteh is the principal lawyer and director of Urban Family Lawyers. With over 16 years of practice as a lawyer, her primary goal is to support and empower her clients in areas where it matters the most. Her focus and experience lies in complex family law matters, wills & estate planning, estate litigation and in contested wills and family provision claims. This is complemented by the conveyancing practice which ensures that clients can be looked after every step of the way when it comes to enforcement of court orders or agreements.
Katrene enjoys appearing in the Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia regularly in complex parenting and property matters, advocating for her clients in contested litigation but balances that out with a practical approach to resolving matters before they reach that stage. Katrene advises on Binding Financial Agreements and Binding Child support Agreements. Katrene successfully represented a client defend against a party who wanted to challenge an existing Binding Financial Agreement in the case of Clowes & Konig [2022] FedCFamC1F 565 .
Katrene loves working with the local community, was awarded the business achievement in the 13th Annual St George Community Awards and Finalist in the Georges River Local Business Awards in 2024 and supports registered charities with pro bono work and advice.
Katrene loves using technology to enhance her practice to dedicate more time to clients where they need it most.
Zoë Durand specialises in family law, having worked in private practice and at Legal Aid as a Court Appointed Independent Children’s Lawyer giving her a unique insight into best interests of children in complex parenting matters. She also worked at large international commercial firms, K&L Gates and HFW lending her a financial acumen in family law property matters.
Zoë won the 2019 and 2020 APAC Insider Legal Awards for Family Law Mediator of the Year and the 2019 Best Family Law Publication for Inside Family Law, recommended as a “must read” by The Honourable Peter Rose AM QC and on the recommended reading list at several universities. Zoë hosts the Inside Family Law Podcast and has interviewed several Judges and countless other experts in the family law process both in Australia and overseas. She was the correspondent interviewing family law keynote speakers for the AFCC, FLENA and Pacifica Congress Conferences.
Zoë edited chapters in the last two editions of CCH’s Master Family Law Guide, Family Law Practice and Procedure, authored the Law Society Journal case notes and guest lectured at UNSW. She has written and created a film on family law mediation that has won several awards and been recommended by current and past sitting Judges as a useful tool for both practitioners and parties.
Vladimira is originally from Slovakia having completed her Masters in Law in 2008, practicing as a solicitor in Slovakia before migrating to Australia in 2010 and completing further studies in Australia before commencing her practice as an Australian solicitor.
Vladimira’s passion lies in family law but has a strong history in commercial law. Her experience and knowledge in complex commercial matters involving business structuring, sale of business, leasing, debt recovery and corporate insolvency, having worked for a top tier firm in Australia.
Her experience in property and commercial law enables her to navigate clients through complex property matters. Her no-nonsense approach enables her to find practical and realistic solutions when acting for clients in parenting matters.
When she is not busy helping clients, she loves keeping fit with yoga, boxing and running. She also loves reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Charlie Pollock is a dedicated solicitor with a strong foundation in Law and Social Science degrees. With over 6 years of experience in the legal profession, Charlie has developed expertise across property Law, wills and estates, with a particular focus on complex conveyancing matters, elder law and estate litigation.
Charlie is renowned for her client-centric approach, offering clear guidance to navigate even the most challenging legal complexities. Her passion lies in simplifying intricate legal processes, ensuring clients feel supported and confident every step of the way.
Outside of her legal career, Charlie enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and creating memories with her friends and family. This balance between her professional and personal passions reflects her well-rounded and approachable nature, making her a trusted advisor to her clients.
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.