Denise van Dijk is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria and Principal of the firm. Denise is qualified by the Law Council of Australia as an Independent Children’s Lawyer. She holds a Masters in Applied Family Law with the College of Law in Sydney.
Denise has practiced in family law for more than 20 years. Denise is experienced in complex property matters including family trusts, companies and businesses. She regularly deals with complex children’s matters, including domestic and overseas relocations and child abduction and Hague (and non-Hague) Convention matters. Denise works closely with other experts such as accountants, financial planners, psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors and other lawyers, to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.
Denise grew up in Brisbane, and completed a Bachelor of Laws and Asian Studies (Chinese) at the Australian National University in Canberra. Denise spent a year in Shanghai, when she completed a university diploma of Chinese at Hua Dong Shi Fan Da Xue and now speaks conversational Mandarin Chinese.
Denise also completed a Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Technology, Sydney and a mediation course with Relationships Australia, New South Wales.
Denise commenced her legal career in Sydney where she started as a family lawyer for Australia’s biggest family law firm. She moved to Melbourne and has worked in several boutique family law firms.
Denise van Dijk is a regular contributor to the legal and other professional communities. She gives seminars, papers and television interviews to other family lawyers, chartered practising accountants, psychiatrists, psychologists and expert valuers, regarding the technicalities of family law.
Denise is a strong advocate of primary dispute resolution including mediation and sits on the Relationships Australia Panel of expert family lawyer referrals.
Denise enjoys the beach, swimming, time with her family and trying to keep up with her primary school children (and attending the odd Geelong Cats match provided they’re in reasonable form).
Denise is a member of:
- Relationships Australia (as a mediation referrer and referee);
- Law Management Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria (and was previously a member of the Courts’ Practice Committee);
- Law Institute of Victoria, Family Law Section;
- Medico-Legal Society of Victoria;
- Association of Family & Conciliation Courts.