Our People

Sue is the current President of AACP. As an Accredited Family Law Specialist of almost 30 years, Nationally Accredited Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer, Sue’s wealth of experience encompasses a comprehensive understanding of complex Family Law matters. Her stellar reputation has consistently been recognised in Doyle's Guide, most recently named as Pre-eminent Australian Family Lawyer, Pre-eminent Sydney Family Lawyer and Leading Family Law Mediator in NSW in 2023.

Sue’s passion for dispute resolution is reflected in the fact that her practice now exclusively comprises mediations and collaborative matters and reinforced by the numerous leadership roles she has held in collaborative practice organisations including, as a founding member of AACP, serving as Treasurer and Vice-President and also as Past President of both Collaborative Professionals NSW and Central Sydney Collaborative Forum.

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Bernie is passionate advocate of Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice with a wealth of experience in ICP, having conducted an extraordinary number of Collaborative matters as coach since 2013. Bernie’s qualifications, include a B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.); Dip. FS (Financial Planning); Master Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy (MCAP); Grad Dip. Family Dispute Resolution (FDRP) and she is a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS). Bernie joined the AACP Board in February 2020 and also served as Vice President of the Board of Collaborative Professionals NSW for a number of years.

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Julia is Principal of Sydney Dispute Resolution Pty Ltd, a provider of mediation, Collaborative Practice and Family Dispute Resolution services in the Sydney metropolitan area and online across Australia. Julia joined the AACP Board in October 2022. Julia is a registered FDRP, Collaborative Coach, Nationally Accredited mediator and Clinical Supervisor. Prior to joining the AACP Board in 2022, Julia was a board member of Collaborative Professionals (NSW), notably chairing CP(NSW)'s Coach Working Party sub-committee. Julia has also been a Conference Chair, Family Law Early Intervention Panel, Legal Aid NSW (2017-2021) and is a supervisor and assessor for candidates of NMAS and FDR accreditation at the College of Law. She is a member, the Australian Mediation Association, Central Sydney Collaborative Forum and Northern Beaches Collaborative Professionals practice groups.

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John graduated from University of Western Australia and was admitted as a lawyer in 1992. Since then, he has practiced in Western Australia and has been a Legal Director of O’Sullivan Law since 2004. In addition to his Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws, John has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Analysis. John is a Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. John joined the AACP Board in September 2019 and has been an active member of AACP’s Strategic Relationships Committee. He is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA and a Council member of Collaborative Professionals WA. John is enthusiastic about Collaborative Practice as a better way to resolve disputes over litigation.

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Julie is a Professional Financial Adviser, Collaborative Practitioner, Financial Mediator and current Treasurer of AACP, having joined the Board in March 2018. Julie has spent much of her career working within the financial arena providing strategic advice, analysis and education. She specialises in working with people to ascertain factual financial positions to strategically plot, test and project future financial goals and achievements.



Continued education is a priority for Julie as she believes this ensures her knowledge remains at an optimum level for the benefit of her clients and support to the teams that surround her.

Julie is the principal of both Financial Management Pty Ltd and JGFinancial Pty Ltd. She maintains current professional membership to Financial Planning Association, FINSIA, Institute of Public Accountants, SMSF Association, International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Victorian Association of Collaborative Professionals and Resolution Institute.

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Cassandra is a founding member of AACP and the Immediate Past President of AACP having served in that capacity for 4 years. Cassandra is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with over 20 years of specialist expertise in Family Law. Cassandra is a Collaborative Lawyer and Trainer, a Nationally Accredited Mediator, a Nationally Accredited Arbitrator (Family Law Act) and Parenting Coordinator.

Cassandra founded Pullos Lawyers in 2008 and has guided the firm as it has grown in to one of the state’s leading boutique family law firms. Whilst a renowned litigator, Cassandra understands that different approaches best achieve lasting positive outcomes for different clients. In order to assist all of her clients, Cassandra has become a national leader in dispute resolution. She has been instrumental in introducing Collaborative Practice and Parenting Coordination to Australia and is an Accredited Mediator and Arbitrator.



Cassandra was the founding President of the QACP and was the only candidate outside of America to be selected in the IACP’s Leadership Academy.

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Susan is team leader of the Sydney family law practice at Mills Oakley and became an AACP Board member in February 2019. Susan has particular expertise in family law matters that involve complex financial issues, including property settlements that incorporate family businesses, multiple assets and superannuation splitting. Susan is an accredited specialist in family law, and was named 2013 Woman Lawyer of the Year in Private Practice by the Women Lawyers Association of NSW.



Susan also has extensive experience in resolving family law matters outside of the Court system. She is a trained collaborative law practitioner and can help clients resolve their disputes without having to be involved in costly and time-consuming litigation. As well as property and financial issues, Susan also undertakes Hague Convention Applications, the separate representation of children and matters concerning parenting arrangements, child support matters and de facto relationship cases.

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Lynda is a Senior Wealth Adviser with Elston Private Wealth, a Shareholder, Director, and Board Member of Elston Group.  Lynda joined the AACP Board in October 2023. Named by Barrons as one of Australia’s top 100 wealth advisers, Lynda and her team take a holistic approach to family wealth.  Lynda specialises in assisting clients with complex financial arrangements, navigate divorce.   Having completed advanced collaborative family law training, she excels in delivering advice in the collaborative context. 

With knowledge and interest in helping families create philanthropic legacies, Lynda is also a Director of the Trustee governing the Elston Giving Foundation.  

Lynda’s dedication to client empowerment and her advocacy of the collaborative process makes her an invaluable asset to the AACP Board.

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Joe is the Principal solicitor and mediator at Vista Mediation, a firm specialising in Collaborative Law and Family Dispute Resolution services.  Joe became a member of the AACP Board in October 2023.

Joe has served on the committee of the Victorian Association of Collaborative Professionals for a number of years and is currently the VACP Vice President. Joe is a Nationally Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Collaborative Practice lawyer.

We are thrilled to have Joe’s energy, skill and innovative mindset on the AACP Board

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Perpetua (Pepe) is a multi-award-winning director of Balance Family Law, a collaborative family law firm that works with separating couples from all over Australia. AACP welcomed Pepe as a Board member in October 2023.

Pepe serves on IACP’s Australasian Task Force and is an active committee member of the ACT Law Society’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and the Canberra Collaborative Family Lawyers. Pepe is also a co-founder and the leader of The Kind Lawyers, a director of Pacifica Congress and Co-Chair of Connecting lawyer Mums.

Pepe possesses a vibrant, varied skill set and extensive experience. She is a very welcome and exciting addition to the AACP Board.

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