Our People

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 and his skill and innovative mindset have added significant value to the Board's work. 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.

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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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Genevieve Morgan joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and is a passionate advocate for Collaborative Practice and its transformative impact on resolving disputes respectfully and constructively. Since completing her collaborative training in 2018, Genevieve has championed the collaborative process, recognising its significant benefits for both families and professionals. As Co-President of the Central Sydney Collaborative Forum for the past three years, Genevieve has played a pivotal role in fostering a strong community of collaborative practitioners in Sydney. Genevieve deeply values the national body's advocacy role and is serving on the AACP Board in the role of Company Secretary. With her extensive experience, strategic mindset and collaborative leadership, Genevieve is a most welcome addition to the AACP Board.

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Karen Hardy, a Family Law Accredited Specialist, joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and brings with her extensive expertise and a deep commitment to Collaborative Practice. A Board member of Collaborative Professionals (NSW) for the last 5 years and a long-time member of the Central Sydney Collaborative Forum, Karen is passionate about fostering respectful and constructive approaches to family law disputes. As a member of the AACP Board, Karen is committed to advancing AACP’s goals. Her ability to connect with practitioners and her enthusiasm for building a strong professional community make her a vital contributor to AACP’s mission to promote Collaborative Practice nationwide.

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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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John Thynne is a Director of Vincents specialising in forensic accounting, business and entity valuations, and financial analysis for family law and estate matters. He has over 30 years of experience working in finance, commerce and private practice. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and an accredited Business Valuation Specialist with CA ANZ. John has been the Treasurer of QACP since 2009 and has been a trainer in Collaborative practice since 2012. John is a strong believer in clients needing knowledge and understanding before they are able to make educated financial decisions. He continues to learn from courses and conferences although he finds working in a multi-disciplinary team provides him with the greatest knowledge. John is a Nationally Accredited Mediator providing evaluative financial mediations and has completed his Collaborative training in Wills and Estates. John joined the AACP Board in November 2024 and is a prized addition to the collective Board expertise.


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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 Master of Laws (Dispute Resolution) (LLM), Dip. FS (Financial Planning); Master Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy (MCAP); Grad Dip. Family Dispute Resolution (FDRP), a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS) and B.Sc. (Pharm.) (Hons.). 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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Perpetua (Pepe) Kish is the multi-award-winning director of Balance Family Law a collaborative family law firm that works with separating couples from all over Australia. She joined the AACP Board in October 2023, bringing a deep commitment to reshaping family law with greater humanity and collaboration. In 2021, Pepe founded The Kind Lawyers movement, seeking to shift the legal conversation from conflict to kindness. She also serves as a director of Pacifica Congress, a leading multidisciplinary body dedicated to improving family law experiences for children and families.
Pepe is trained in conflict management coaching, mediation, parenting coordination and collaborative law. She also holds postgraduate qualifications in Human Services (child welfare and development), which enhance her very human-centric approach to legal practice and make her a natural fit for AACP’s progressive vision.

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Alicia Elliott is an accredited specialist in family law and joined the AACP board in November 2025. Alicia trained as a collaborative professional in 2017 and is deeply committed to the process. She was formerly on the board of Collaborative Practice (NSW) and is a past president of the Central Sydney Collaborative Forum. Alicia is now bringing her experience and skills to the AACP board. Alicia believes it is vital to promote the advantages of collaborative practice, for both families and professionals in the family law space.

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Tash Nolan’s passion for Collaborative Practice is evident from her extensive experience in and proven track record with Collaborative matters. Joining the AACP Board in November 2024, Tash's two-year tenure as Secretary on the CP(NSW) Board and her involvement in promoting Collaborative Practice at the NSW State level, make her a vital addition to AACP’s efforts to promote respectful and effective resolutions across Australia.

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Vanessa is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law with Resolve Divorce based in Adelaide and she is honoured to represent collaborative professionals in South Australia at a national level. Vanessa joined the AACP Board in December 2024 and, having been Collaboratively trained early in her career, is committed to Collaborative Practice. Vanessa brings a fresh, strong and positive perspective to the strategic focus and key objectives of AACP.

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Debbie is an accredited family law specialist with over 30 years’ experience in family law. She practises in all areas of family law. She is a trained collaborative law professional and is a nationally accredited mediator and family dispute resolution practitioner.

Debbie is passionate about helping clients to keep matters out of court. She particularly enjoys collaborative practice and working in an interdisciplinary professional team that assists separating couples find tailor made solutions that fit their family’s needs.

Debbie is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia. She has been a Council member and Secretary of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western. Debbie was the President of Collaborative Professionals WA Inc from 2019-2022.

Away from work Debbie enjoys spending time with her family, AFL (being a former member of the West Australian Amateur Football League Disciplinary Tribunal) and tap dancing.

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