Be guided by leading New Zealand practitioners and experts and unpack the latest issues in care of children matters. Gain insights from psychologists, therapists and experienced counsel delivering you clear, workable solutions for everyday family law practice. Gain practical guidance on engaging with children and young people, managing contact and parenting order problems, and dealing with key professional and procedural challenges in Family Court practice.

Presenters

Debbie Bryan-Lamb, Partner, Ward Adams Bryan-Lamb
Debbie is committed in providing her valued clients with practical legal solutions in all areas of her practice. As an experienced litigator specialising in family law, Debbie has a particular interest in division of relationship property matters involving complex trust and company entities. Debbie also has expertise in Care of Children Act and Protection of Personal Property Rights Act proceedings, assisting clients in other general practice areas - including the sale and purchase of property, employment, immigration, wills and trusts, elderly law, retirement village and small business advice. Debbie joined the firm in 2000. She became an Associate in 2003 and the firm’s first female partner in 2004. Debbie is a Lawyer For Child and Lawyer for Subject Person, AMINZ (Arbitrators’ and Mediators’) Institute of NZ Inc., FDR Mediator/Provider, a credentialed Associate FDR Member, a Voice of Child Specialist and an accredited member of the NZ Law Society’s Panel of Mediators as a Family Specialist. Debbie has a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution) and is an experienced mediator renowned for helping parties reach resolution in all kinds of disputes. As a “people person” Debbie has had extensive experience in working collaboratively with parties from all walks of life. Debbie has mediated for parties involved in deeply personal family conflict, employment disputes, complex relationship property and difficult long-standing commercial disputes. Debbie’s passionate commitment to the mediation process assists her to help parties develop smart skills and strategies to manage future conflict and find ways to achieve prompt and practical solutions to their dispute. Debbie is Past Chair of LANZ (“Law Alliance NZ Ltd”) being a national alliance of independent law firms having previously served as a Board Director since 2010. Debbie is Chair of Lighthouse (previously Stopping Violence Southland (Inc.)). Debbie is also Chair of the Southland Community Law Centre and on the governance team of Disability Resource Centre.

Jill Goldson, Director and Consultant, The Family Matters Centre
Jill Goldson is an awarded family therapist and mediator and author, with over 30 years experience. She specialises in working with parents and children at the time of crisis and separation, and has expertise and training in parental alienation. She is the Director of The Family Matters Centre in Auckland www.thefamilymatterscentre.co.nz Jill gives seminars in Aotearoa and in overseas jurisdictions, and contributes to academic journals and media discussions. In 2019 she sat on the Expert Reference Group 2019 (Te Korowai Ture-ā Whānau) Family Law Review and is a Churchill Fellow. In 2025 her book "Child Inclusion in Parenting Dispute Mediation: the Key to Keeping Family Separation Out of Court' was published and is being well received by professionals working in family law.

Dr Sarah Whitcombe-Dobbs, Consultant and Senior Lecturer /Psychologist, University of Canterbury
Sarah Whitcombe-Dobbs is a senior lecturer and psychologist at the University of Canterbury, and the Programme Director for the child and family psychology postgraduate training programme. Sarah also practises, primarily undertaking ACC service provision and assessments for the Family Court. She has worked in a range of roles and sectors with children, young people and whānau for more than 20 years. Her enduring interests are child maltreatment and the intergenerational transmission of trauma, with her research focusing on ‘what works’ for families involved with Oranga Tamariki.  She has a pragmatic approach, and is deeply interested in interventions that reduce harm within families, and support children to develop according to their potential.

Alex Ashmore, Barrister, Hepburn Chambers
Alex was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in 1990. He practiced as a solicitor for approximately 17 years – 12 of these as a partner in a firm in Waitakere City. Alex became a Barrister in 2007 and has been practicing in Central Auckland since that time. Alex’s practice is focused on Family Law including Relationship Property, Family Protection matters and cases involving children. Alex has a particular interest in cases involving the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction and has appeared as counsel in the Family Court, High Court and Court of Appeal in such cases. Alex also regularly acts in appeals from the Family Court. Alex’s tertiary qualifications include B.Com LLB obtained in 1988 and Masters with First Class Honours obtained in 2006. He has presented papers on various aspects of Family Law both in New Zealand and overseas.

Natalie Schumacher, Principal, Schumacher Law
Natalie Schumacher graduated from Auckland University in 2001. After spending three years living in France and England, she returned to Auckland to sit her bar exam. Natalie was one of the top students awarded in her intake and was admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2004. From 2004 Natalie was employed in Takapuna, Auckland, at a well-known boutique Family Law firm for 10 years before branching out as a sole practitioner in 2014 as “Schumacher Law”. Over the last 10 years Natalie’s practice has expanded to become a dynamic team of Lawyers Specialising in Family Law based on the North Shore of Auckland. Over the last decade, Schumacher Law has built a reputation for being leading, dependable and reliable lawyers who strive to achieve positive outcomes. Natalie is a member of the New Zealand Law Society, The Family Law Section, Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (Māori Law Society) and was previously co-president of Te kōmiti ture-ā-whānau o te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa. Natalie’s particular interests are Care arrangements for children; Lawyer for Child; Guardianship Disputes; Orders Preventing Removal; Paternity; Relocation proceedings; Protection order proceedings; and Oranga Tamariki proceedings.

David Amodeo, Barrister, Hobson Chambers
David is a barrister who specialises and practises in all areas of relationship and family law, and has done so for over a quarter of a century. David represents a wide variety of clients, including individuals, families and organisations in situations and proceedings across the wide diversity of situations involving people and property that are encompassed within the relevant jurisdictions. Throughout his time in practise David has presented many seminars to lawyers and other professionals working within the area and continues his involvement in a variety of roles within professional associations working in Aotearoa.

Rosa Bellolio Roth, Director, Weston Ward & Lascelles
Rosa is an experienced family lawyer. She is highly respected and well-liked by her clients and colleagues. Rosa began her legal career in Chile where she was admitted in 2006. She moved to New Zealand where she completed her Masters in 2009 and in 2013 was admitted to the bar. Rosa continued her career by initially working as a registrar in the Family Court. Growing up in South America with Spanish as her first language she can also be of assistance to any Spanish speaking clients.

Alex Meyer, Solicitor, Weston Ward & Lascelles
Alex is a dedicated family law solicitor who focuses on achieving fair, workable outcomes through clear communication and efficient negotiation. Specialising in relationship property, care of children, guardianship, and family violence, he is committed to helping clients navigate challenging life circumstances with a steady hand. Whether resolving matters through settlement or representing clients in the Family Court, Alex aims to resolve disputes with minimal conflict, ensuring a pragmatic and cost-effective path forward for the families he represents.