Jeremy is our legal practice director and has more than 23 years experience in Family Law. In addition to his role at Shann Family Lawyers, Jeremy is the managing partner of the full service firm Marks & Sands Lawyers which provides non-family law legal support to Shann Family Lawyers.
Jeremy’s role at Shann Family Lawyers is to provide support and supervision to our legal practitioners and to manage compliance issues.
John Pacy became a consultant to Shann Family Lawyers in November 2009 and brings 26 years of legal practice experience to the Firm.
On completing his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney in 1982, John worked in general legal practice in country New South Wales and Western Australia. In 1989 John moved to Perth to commence practicing exclusively in Family Law.
Sue Thomson joined Shann Family Lawyers as a Senior Family Law Solicitor in February 2009
She brings twenty years of experience to our successful Family Law team. After graduating from Monash University in Melbourne in 1989 Sue was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in May 1990 and was accredited as a Family Law Specialist in May 1995
Melissa Raftis graduated from Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria with an LLB and was subsequently admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in August 2001.
Melissa joined Shann Family Lawyers in May 2007 and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
Sonia Woolley joined Shann Family Lawyers from Sydney as a Family Law Solicitor in January 2007
Sonia Woolley graduated from the University of Sydney in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts (Social Policy and Sociology) and Bachelor of Laws with Honors.
Natalie Brown graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Arts in 2004.
Natalie was subsequently offered a post graduate admission to Notre Dame University where she completed her Bachelor of Laws.
Nicola Bowen has been employed by Shann Family Lawyers since June 2008 as a Law Clerk. She is currently completing the final year of her Bachelor of Laws at Edith Cowan University.
Throughout her studies Nicola’s primary focus has been in the area of family law whilst also taking a keen interest in advocacy work. She has competed in and won several in-house competitions whilst also competing nationally. She has spent time working within her local Community Legal Centre in which she was dealing primarily with family law issues.
Nicola moved here from the United Kingdom with her husband and 2 children in 2005. Prior to this she spent 6 years working within a Private Investigation Company as a Covert Investigator. Nicola will continue on with Shann Family Lawyers as an Articled Clerk at the end of 2009.
Daniel joined our team in March 2009 in the position of Law Clerk. Daniel is currently in his final year of his Bachelor of laws degree at Edith Cowan University.
During his studies Daniel has participated in and won in house University competitions. Daniel was also a participant in the 2009 Corrs Chamber Westgarth Deans List forum, where the competitors are personally chosen by the Dean of each law school. Daniel will be writing a research paper for an area of Family Law in 2010 and participating in an international competition, the 2010 VisMoot East in Hong Kong.
Daniel’s interest are in the areas of Advocacy, Human Rights and Children and the Law.
Daniel has also worked in the areas of conveyancing and banking and provides assistance to all of our solicitors in all areas of family law.
Arlette joined the firm in October 2006 having more than 25 years experience in various law firms in Perth and Melbourne.
Arlette has experience in Insurance, Personal Injuries and Family Law and has worked as a law clerk in these areas. She is currently the firm's Finance Director and is responsible for the accounts department, debtor matters and general management of the firm.
Angie joined the firm as a legal secretary in September 2000 and progressed to Ian Shann's PA for a number of years until his retirement from the firm. She is now the firm's Client Services Manager and looks after new client enquiries and existing client services, quality control, support services and is involved in the promotion and general management of the firm.
Rose Brown joined Shann Family Lawyers in September of 2006 and is employed as Accounts Manager.
Prior to joining the team, Rose worked for a smaller Law Firm where she controlled the accounts department.
Alison joined our team as receptionist in December 2003. She has now progressed to a Legal Secretary and works alongside Melissa Raftis.
Alison is originally from Dublin, Ireland and came to Australia in 1989. Her career started in a stockbroking firm in Perth where she remained for six years. Alison progressed through the firm from receptionist to accounts secretary, bookings clerk to financial consultant assistant. Her experience also includes two years at another family law firm in Perth.
Gail is one of our receptionists who joined us in December 2007. She works part-time with our other receptionist, Kate.
Gail has a wealth of experience in office administration roles having worked in various different offices throughout her career.
Kate joined the firm in November 2008 and is our part-time receptionist. Kate’s young experience has been involved in reception and administrative roles while she studies full-time at University.
Genevieve commenced work with Shann Family Lawyers in July 2005. She was initially employed to update our reference manuals. Genevieve very quickly mastered this complex system and in what seemed like no time was asking for more work!! Genevieve is now responsible for the archive maintenance of all our client matter files and the updating of matter codes into our archiving database.
In her own words Genevieve tells what working for Shann's has meant for her: "Starting work at Shann Family Lawyers has motivated me and increased my confidence. It has assisted me to dream new dreams some of which I have already achieved. Starting my new job motivated me to work towards regaining my speech, since my stroke left me without the ability to speak. My work allows me to take on new challenges, achieve milestones as well as attend social functions. My new found confidence motivated me to tackle sailing at an international event in Melbourne where I achieved Sportswoman of the Competition and second in the solo sailing division."
Genevieve is an inspiration to all of us at Shann's and a valued member of our team.
