Our Events

Networking Events for Family Lawyers across Victoria

Join FLAV, a community of family law professionals in Victoria and get access to our frequent networking events, where you can meet fellow practitioners, share knowledge and enhance mutual understanding in our field. Contact us today if you are interested in attending an upcoming event

Upcoming Event

Past Events

The Big Bang

On the 21st of May, FLAV proudly launched its inaugural event, The Big Bang, at the Hellenic Museum.

Designed as a structured networking experience, the event featured an insightful presentation by Michael Shiffner from Collective Intelligence.

The Big Bang was an overwhelming success, drawing a sold-out crowd of 120 professionals, all deeply engaged in the field of Family Law. The positive feedback we received, both during the event and afterward, highlighted the value and impact of the experience we provided.

Attendees appreciated the opportunity to connect with their peers in a meaningful way, further strengthening the Family Law community in Victoria.

Are We Okay?

Following the success of our inaugural event, FLAV is excited to present our second event – Are We Okay? which will adopt a fresh and engaging format. 

Moving away from traditional presentations, this event will feature an interactive interview with Dr Carly Schrever, being interviewed by Dr Kayleigh Young, with a focus on wellbeing and wellness in the legal profession to arm us as Family Lawyers with tools to weather what we know is at times a difficult profession. 

Dr Schrever is a director of Human Ethos, a psychological consultancy directed to the wellbeing of judges and lawyers.

Carly has worked in and around the legal profession and the courts for 20 years, focusing specifically on judicial and lawyer wellbeing since 2014.  As part of her combined Master of Psychology (Clinical) / PhD at the University of Melbourne, Carly conducted Australia’s first empirical and psychologically grounded research into the sources and nature of work-related stress among the Australian judiciary. She has published the research in peer-reviewed journals and text-books and presented the findings to judicial audiences around the globe.

Dr Kayleigh Young is a clinical psychologist and she is a skilled trainer and facilitator passionate about workplace wellbeing.  Kayleigh consults with organisations to assist them to build internal capacity through the identification and development of wellbeing initiatives and programmes.

No Agenda

Thursday, 13th March, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Hellenic Museum, 280 William St., for an evening dedicated solely to connection, conversation, and community. No formalities, no presentations—just a relaxed and welcoming space to unwind and engage with fellow family law practitioners.

Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new colleagues, this is your opportunity to strengthen relationships, share experiences, and simply enjoy each other’s company. With a stunning venue and great company, the evening promises to be both meaningful and memorable.

FLAV events continue to grow, and we can’t wait to see you there. Come along, bring a friend, and let’s celebrate the strength of our community—no agenda necessary.

Bring a date
or a mate!

a lively evening dedicated to connection, community, and a well-earned break from the everyday grind.

Whether you’re flying solo, bringing a partner, or tagging along with your favourite colleague, expect a relaxed and welcoming vibe in one of Melbourne’s most stunning venues — the Hellenic Museum. With canapés, drinks, and a crowd of like-minded professionals, it’s the perfect setting to network, unwind, and catch up.

Order in the Court... Order at the Table!

A luncheon event that offers a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, strengthen professional relationships, and enjoy a vibrant dining experience together. 

Everyone enjoyed a shared menu of five delicious dishes and appetizers while connecting with fellow family law professionals in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.

Contact us to join our networking events for family lawyers.

Thirumalai Selvi Shanmugam

Shan Lawyers

Shelvi is the founding Legal Director and Principal Lawyer of Shan Lawyers, where she practises predominantly in family law. She advises on complex family law matters, including parenting disputes, international relocation, family violence and protection orders, and high-conflict financial and asset matters. Known for her calm, strategic, and commercially minded approach, Shelvi supports clients through challenging transitions with clarity and strategic judgement.

Shelvi demonstrates a genuine commitment to the profession through her involvement with the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Law Reform Committee of Victorian Women Lawyers. She is also pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in Family Law to further deepen her expertise. Fluent in English and Tamil, she is skilled in assisting clients from multicultural and internationally connected backgrounds, and volunteers with the Peninsula Legal Community Centre, reflecting her commitment to access to justice.

Angela Guest

Glezer Lanteri & Associates

Since being Admitted in 2008, Angela has practised exclusively in Family Law. She is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and holds a Masters of Applied Law (Family Law) Degree.  Angela currently holds the role of Special Counsel at Glezer Lanteri and Associates, where she has worked for over 14 years. She has a particular interest in matters involving parental alienation and family violence. 

Angela has always been heavily involved in supporting the profession through her participation in several committees, including acting as an LIV Mentor.

Angela is a Director of the not-for-profit organisation The Guest Nest, which aims to support those who are disadvantaged, with an emphasis on providing assistance to children from lower socio/economic areas. The Guest Nest (in conjunction with Glezer Lanteri) provides free legal assistance to terminally ill single parents/guardians. 

Ashleigh Morris

Patterson's List

Ashleigh is a Melbourne-based barrister, practising primarily in family law with a strong emphasis on trial advocacy. Her practice encompasses complex parenting and property disputes, with a significant portion of her work involving contested hearings and trials. She is regularly briefed across metropolitan and regional courts and accepts briefs for both courtroom advocacy and written advice in family law matters.

 

Before coming to the Bar, Ashleigh practised as a solicitor in family law, and worked as a Judge’s Associate at the County Court of Victoria. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice) from Monash University, for which she was the Dux Litterarum, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne, where she was a recipient of the Joseph and Eleanor Wertheim Scholarship.

 

 

Outside practice, Ashleigh is a long-term foster carer with The Lost Dogs Home and an active advocate for children with dyslexia, working to improve educational standards and outcomes for students with learning differences.

Shai Sommer

Lander & Rogers

Shai is a compassionate and pragmatic family lawyer who brings deep expertise and a calm, solution-focused approach to resolving family law matters. 
 
As an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and a qualified Collaborative Practice Professional, Shai is committed to helping his clients navigate through a separation with dignity and respect. 
 
Known for his thoughtful listening and unwavering dedication, Shai works closely with clients to understand what matters most to them. He offers tailored guidance that reflects each client’s unique values and circumstances, and he strives to resolve issues constructively—without resorting to court. When litigation is necessary, he is a determined and strategic advocate.

He was named in the 2025 edition of Doyles Guide as a Leading Family & Divorce Lawyer and in the 2024 edition as a Family Law Rising Star. He was also included in the “Ones to Watch” category of the 2024 and 2025 publication of The Best Lawyers in Australia.