Presenters

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.

Michelle Melville-Smith, Psychologist/Clinic Coordinator/ Deputy Head of Training NZ, Triple P New Zealand
Michelle is a registered psychologist and a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society, an accredited Triple P practitioner and Triple P trainer (International Trainer of the Year, 2007). Michelle currently works for Triple P NZ delivering both clinical work and training practitioners in New Zealand and Internationally. Michelle is highly skilled in consulting on child behavioural, social and emotional issues and working effectively with parents on strategies to cope with these issues. She has worked with whanau referred from Oranga Tamariki, the Family court and Intensive wrap around service in MOE. Michelle has had over 18 year’s experience in working with separated parents via the family court and privately to assist them to develop communication tools with each other and help them to understand the needs of their children. Other areas Michelle works in are couples counselling and working directly with children providing counselling on issues including anger management, social skills, coping with anxiety, and dealing with divorce and separation.

Minka Boddé, Special Counsel, Aspiring Law
Minka is an experienced Family Law Specialist, who has recently taken up the helm leading the Family Law team at Aspiring Law. She began her career as a general litigation solicitor, returning to specialise in family law in 2009 after spending 8 years raising her children. Minka represents both parents and children in the Family Court,  providing mediation privately or through FDR. She specialises in conflict coaching for families going through separation.  Minka is committed to helping families navigate the separation process to avoid as much trauma and damage as possible, while achieving a safe outcome for the children. She is passionate about the work towards a Family Court system that not only assists families to maintain a level of relatedness and co-operation, but supports and educates them to deal with the challenges to their family in a holistic and empowering way.