Our Practice

We specialise and practice only in Family Law.

David Burrell started the firm in 1974 and against the current trend of many law firms to rapidly expand, the practice has remained a boutique firm.  The practice is a small, independent, specialised private client only firm.

Our aim in running such a niche practice is to enable our clients to receive the personal care, attention and expertise so necessary during what is often the most difficult period of their life.

It is an exclusive and discreet personal practice providing old fashioned service and attention, coupled with up to the minute creative and individual advice.

The practice’s major focus and substantial experience is in the area of the financial aspects of marital divorce and de facto settlements (property settlement, spousal maintenance and child support).

In all cases we provide input into each other’s matters and, where necessary in large complex matters, work as a team.

Each of us were born in and have lived in Adelaide most of our lives and we are all admitted to practice in South Australia and the High Court of Australia.

We are all members of the Law Society of South Australia and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.

David is a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML).

Sam is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and is also admitted to practice in Victoria.

Penelope is also admitted to practice in the United Kingdom.

Penelope has the honour of being the current Chair  of the Law Society of South Australia Family Law Committee.

Alicia is the Deputy Chair of that Committee

We are all passionate about the practice of Family Law.

David was admitted to practice over thirty five years ago.  He has since then practised only in Adelaide, primarily in the Family Law area, and for many years, exclusively so.  He is one of the most senior and experienced Family Law practitioners in Adelaide.

David conducts principally all aspects of divorce and marital financial settlements (property settlement and spousal maintenance).

David has a particular interest and many years specialised experience and expertise in the more complex and unusual property settlement and financial disputes, often involving commercial, business, partnership, trust, company, superannuation and valuation issues, as well as in preparing and advising on living together and pre-nuptial contracts.

Penelope was admitted to practice nine years ago.  Penelope initially practised in Adelaide, primarily as a Family Lawyer handling both property settlement and children’s disputes, and subsequently spent some two years practising in London in the area of Family Law.

Penelope handles difficult and complicated Family Court property settlement cases together with marital and de facto childrens matters and de facto relationship matters concerning settlement of property.  She also is experienced in drafting and advising upon Pre-Nuptial and Defacto Agreements.

Sam was admitted to practice ten years ago.  He has extensive Family Law only experience, having practised in Melbourne until 2006.  His experience and particular interest is in complex child support issues, living together and pre-marital agreements.  He has substantial experience in difficult and complex financial cases. He is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law.

Alicia was admitted to practice nearly three years ago. She had substantial family law experience in her several years employed in the Family Law Department of a well known Adelaide Commercial Law Firm. Her experience and particular interests are in the financial aspects of defacto relationship matters, complex childrens matters and property settlement matters particularly in relation to small businesses and valuation areas.

David Peacock

David was admitted to practice nearly 40 years ago. His family law experience is second to none. If it is a family law issue no matter how rare or unusual he's almost certainly come accross it before - whether it be in relation to financial cases or childrens cases. He consults to the firm on a part-time basis.

Our Office

We practice from an old, (by Adelaide standards) late 19th Century historic building in Walkerville (a near city suburb) just 10 minutes from the CBD and the Family Court.  The building has had past lives as a grocery store, antique shop, boutique and in the 1980s as professional medical rooms.  It provides excellent, comfortable and relaxed accommodation for a boutique Family Law Practice and has the advantage of parking at the door.

We provide as a bonus to our clients (and even sometimes our opponents!) cafe quality coffee and there's always some choccies in the reception area.

We are ably assisted by wonderful people without whom we could never provide the service we do.

Our senior secretary/PA is Sue Stepancic who has worked for David for many years and whose knowledge of Family Law (and music and film trivia) is legendary.

Mary Luppino is our receptionist and first point of contact.  She is a bit of a Beatles fan and cooks a mean pasta.

Sally Mason is our other senior secretary with a passion for house renovating and very involved in the Calisthenics world.

Liz Nielson looks after the money side of the practice and in her spare time enjoys belly dancing.

We are happy to have an initial, brief talk to you on the telephone without obligation.  We can establish if your case is a suitable case for our practice and you can get a feel for whether we would suit you and your matter.  If you decide to retain us, we can determine which of our lawyers would be appropriate for the issues involved in your matter and tell you what, if any material you need to bring to the initial consultation.