Allysha-Jane Merrett
Email: ajmerrett@8wentworth.com.au
RMIT University (2023)
Master of Business AdministrationCertificate in Not for Profit Governance & Risk (2021)
Governance Institute of AustraliaNSW Law Society Accredited Specialist (Family Law) (2021)
Legal Aid (2019)
Independent Children’s Lawyer TrainingFMRC (2019)
Practice Management Training(Family Law) (2017)
Master of LawsUniting Care (2016) (FDRP)
Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute ResolutionUniversity of Newcastle (2013)
Bachelor of LawUniversity of Newcastle (2012)
Bachelor of Social ScienceCertificate IV in Celebrancy (2012)
NMAS Accredited Mediator
Peter Cummings SC
Research Assistant
Research
Drafting
York Law
Special Counsel
Preparing written advices
Drafting pleadings, points of claim and other legal documents
Advocacy
Broun Abrahams Burreket
Senior Associate
Prepared written advices
Drafted pleadings, points of claim and other legal documents
Advocacy
Women’s Lawyers Association
Vice President
Event planning
Networking
Reviewing submissions
Strategic planning
Watts McCray Lawyers
Practice Leader
Accredited Specialist (family law)
Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Managed 7 employed lawyers & support staff including setting performance targets, managing budgets, coordinating leave, coordinating and encouraging professional development of staff, organising and speaking at networking events
Prepared written advices
Drafted pleadings, points of claim and other legal documents
Advocacy
Authored articles, recording videos and publishing peer reviewed journal articles
Coordinated pro bono initiatives with the Redfern Legal Centre
Represented children as an Independent Children’s Lawyer
Turnbull Hill Lawyers
Senior Lawyer (Criminal & Family law Department)
Managed and set performance targets and carried out performance reviews for 4 employed solicitors and 2 support staff
Conducted seminars for the public
Lectured at the traffic offenders’ program (TORP)
Authored articles, recorded videos and published peer reviewed journal articles
Performed and appeared for clients at mediations
Advocacy
Preparation of matters for final hearing and associated interlocutory proceedings
File management
Drafted pleadings, written submissions including mental health applications, severity appeals, and other legal documents
Networked with other professionals
Tantrum Youth Arts
Director
Provided legal advice to the board
Assessment of legal issues and development of resolution strategies
Assisted with fundraising
Dawson Solicitors
Associate
Specialised in family law, property law, wills & estates and criminal law.
Advocacy
Website construction
Developed marketing strategies including first step consultation packages
Hiring and management of staff
Fiduciary duties
After ten years as a solicitor Allysha-Jane Merrett commenced practice at the Bar in 2024.
She obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Newcastle in 2013 having been conferred a Bachelor of Social Science in 2012.
Since her admission as a lawyer in 2014 she has gained extensive experience in a wide range of areas including family law, criminal law, estate litigation and a variety of commercial disputes.
Before relocating to Sydney in 2020 Allysha-Jane worked as a senior lawyer with responsibility for a large family and criminal law practice in Newcastle and appeared regularly as a solicitor advocate in the Local, District, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and Children’s Court.
Immediately prior to commencing at the bar Allysha-Jane was special counsel in a leading Sydney family law firm.
She has conducted numerous family law cases including complex financial and parenting disputes successfully drawing upon her experience and qualifications including:
- Masters of Applied Family Law (College of Law 2017);
- Specialist Accreditation (Family Law) Law Society of NSW (2021); and
- Master of Business Administration (RMIT 2023).
She is an NMAS accredited mediator (AIFLAM), Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and is available to mediate family law cases.
Allysha-Jane is the current President of the Women Lawyers Association NSW. She has volunteered as a solicitor for the Redfern Legal Centre, University of Newcastle Legal Centre, Women’s Legal Service NSW and as a trainer for Relationships Australia in navigating the financial aspects of the Family Law Act.
Allysha-Jane accepts briefs to appear and advise in the following areas:
- Family law – property and parenting
- Equity
- Wills & Probate
- Criminal law
- Care & Protection
- Commercial law
- Contracts
