Justin Dowd
Qualifications and
Memberships::
- LL.B.
- Accredited Family Law Specialist
- Notary Public
- Accredited Arbitrator
- Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners
- Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML)
- Treasurer, The Law Society of New South Wales
- Chair, The Law Society of New South Wales Family Issues Committee
- Chair, The New South Wales Family Law Specialist Accreditation Committee
- Member of LawAsia
- Board Member of the World Congress on Children and Family Law
- Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notarys
Office:
SPECIAL EXPERTISE
Justin has specialised in Family Law since 1987, achieving Accreditation by the Law Society in 1994 as a Specialist. In 2005 he was admitted to membership of the Law Society of the ACT and along with becoming a Member of the ACT Law Society Legal Advice Bureau and the ACT Law Society Pro Bono Panel. He is also a Member of LAWASIA, a member of the Law Society Council, a member of the Family Issues Committee, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Justin has an excellent understanding of the Family Law system having been employed as the Senior Registrar of the Parramatta Registry of the Family Court, then as Regional Registrar of the Court with responsibility for NSW and the ACT. His expertise is well recognised, having presented numerous papers on Family Law as well as contributing articles to professional journals on Family Law topics.
CLIENT BENEFITS
An intimate knowledge of the Family Court workings and services helps Justin to eliminate delays and keep client's costs down. Justin's previous commercial and accounting experience allows him to accurately and effectively analyse complex financial issues, frequently a critical part of the settlement process of a Family Law matter.
Justin divides his time between the Sydney, Parramatta and Canberra offices of Watts McCray and can therefore be available at which ever location best suits his clients.
BACKGROUND
Educated in Sydney, Justin completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney in 1975. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1976 and worked in a country practice from 1976 to 1987, gaining wide litigation experience.
He has specialised in Family Law, either as Registrar of the Family Court of Australia or as a private practitioner since 1987, and has also completed Management and Computer courses at Macquarie University, and holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from Wollongong University.
Justin is an Accredited Arbitrator in Family Law*.
*3 of Watts McCray's Lawyers are Accredited Arbitrators in Family Law, i.e. Justin Dowd, The Honourable Eric Baker and Barry Frakes.