Ben Smith

Principal

Ben has been working exclusively in family law since 2000. He was admitted to practice in 2006 and in 2011, he became a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Family Law. Between 2015 and 2017 he was a partner at an established boutique family law firm.

Ben is a passionate advocate for clients and highly experienced in all facets of family and relationship law including complex parenting and property matters and intervention orders. He also has extensive knowledge and experience in surrogacy law and assisting families through the legal process.

When working with clients, his focus is on providing advice that clearly lays out the path ahead. He is upfront and honest so that his clients understand the process and make the best possible decisions for their future. He works in close partnership with his clients as he believes this helps achieve excellent results.

Ben sits on the Lawyers Panel at Relationships Australia Victoria. The RAV Lawyers Panel comprises lawyers who specialise in family law and have experience in family dispute resolution. 

Before working in the city, Ben spent several years working in Williamstown and he calls the western suburbs of Melbourne home. He is happy to travel to our western suburban locations (Williamstown and Sunshine) as needed.

When he is not at work, Ben is spending time with friends and family. He is also an avid sports fan, in particular AFL (Western Bulldogs!) and basketball.

Memberships

  • Accredited Family Law Specialist (LIV)
  • Member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
  • Western Suburbs Law Association

Recent articles by Ben

Can I use documents disclosed in my family law matter for other purposes?

Can I use documents disclosed in my family law matter for other purposes?

Documents that you receive or produce in family law proceedings must only be used for the purposes that they were provided, not for any other ulterior purposes. This is a longstanding legal practice called the Harman undertaking and applies to most court proceedings, not just family law.
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Do I need a section 60I certificate before applying for parenting orders?

Do I need a section 60I certificate before applying for parenting orders?

If you're thinking about applying for parenting orders in Australia, you may need a section 60I certificate first. This certificate shows that you’ve tried to resolve your parenting dispute through family dispute resolution (FDR) before going to court.
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Can family violence change the way my property is split after separation?

Can family violence change the way my property is split after separation?

Significant changes to the Family Law Act 1975, effective from 10 June 2025, reshape how the law determines property settlements in cases involving family violence.
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How are future needs considered in family law property settlement?

How are future needs considered in family law property settlement?

Following the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship, often a property settlement will need to take place to divide the assets of the relationship. One crucial factor the Court will need to determine is what are the future needs of each of the parties.
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