Paterson & Dowding

Who are we?

Paterson & Dowding is one of the oldest and most respected leading Family Law practices in Western Australia.

For more than 50 years, Paterson & Dowding’s Family Lawyers & Mediators have been advising the Western Australian community on Family Law.

We’re proud of our solid reputation as one of the oldest and most highly regarded Family Law firms in Western Australia. Established in 1967, one of our founding partners was the former Premier of Western Australia, The Honourable Peter Dowding SC. We have enjoyed consistent peer recognition in DOYLES* as a leading Western Australian Family & Divorce Law Firm firm practising in the areas of family, divorce, complex property, parenting, spousal maintenance and matrimonial law matters.

Former partners of Paterson & Dowding include:

• Past Chief Judges of the Family Court of Western Australia
• A former Premier of Western Australia, The Honourable Peter Dowding SC
• A Magistrate in the Magistrates’ Court of Western Australia
• Past and Present Registrars and Magistrates of the Family Court of Western Australia
• Members of the Independent Bar

A broader capability

Our highly skilled team of Family Lawyers is led by Lucy Thomas (specialising in parenting and children’s matters) and Craig Taylor (specialising in property and related financial matters). Both are Accredited Family Law Specialists who have been with the company for more than 10 years. Lucy recently celebrated her 30 year anniversary with the firm and shared more about her journey in a Q&A article that was also published in Farm Weekly.

Lucy and Craig are also Recommended in Doyles as Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in Western Australia. Lucy is also listed as Preeminent in the Doyles Leading Parenting, Custody & Children’s Matters Lawyers in Western Australia.

Our experienced team also includes a Mediation-style Conference Convenor, a Nationally Accredited Mediator, Collaborative Lawyer and a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

Our reputation is based on our ability and willingness to manage matters both large and small, regardless of their level of complexity or asset pool. Indeed, a growing number of clients come to us following unsatisfactory experiences with other firms which have failed to deliver their preferred outcomes.

Why trust us?

Our aim is to minimise the fallout of disputes on families – both in the short term, and into the future. Our experienced lawyers have the welfare of children and families front of mind. Paterson & Dowding Lawyers work closely with clients to secure the best outcomes for families in the medium – longer term.

Our pricing is transparent and reasonable; we’re focused on timely solutions and where possible reaching agreement without having to go to Court. Make an appointment with a P&D Family Lawyer today.

Clients tell us that we are not just another Family Law firm. They trust us to deliver the best solution for their unique situation.

*Doyles Guide is an independently researched listing of best firms and lawyers, on the back of initial online peer-based surveys as well as extensive telephone and face to face interviews with clients, peers and relevant industry bodies.