Our Team
Helen Ede | Principal
“People are the reason I do what I do. Their differences and their journeys absorb and motivate me. Making a difference in times of need is what drives me. Knowing I do it well is what rewards me.”
Helen has a wealth of experience in family law. She is an expert in the field, having accredited as a specialist in family law in 2005, 10 years after first starting in practice.
She has also trained and practised in collaborative law, mediation, and as an independent children’s lawyer. She has diverse and deeply grounded skills as both a negotiator and a litigator, and over the course of her 20+ years in family law has acted regularly in complex matters.
Prior to working in family law, Helen practised in commercial law and commercial litigation and she brings that financial acumen and expertise to her family law practice, working regularly in complex property matters for high net worth individuals with complex companies, trusts, tax and valuation issues. But she focuses in equal measure on complex parenting matters, which have included parental alienation, sexual abuse and domestic violence, complex mental health issues and vulnerable children.
Helen is a member and accredited specialist of the Law Society and has served on its Family Law Issues Committee. She is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Collaborative Professionals of NSW, the Australian Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Collaborative Professionals Northern Beaches.
When not assisting other families, Helen likes to spend time with her own, with all their challenges and their joys! She loves to ski and to dance, although doesn’t claim any particular expertise in either!
Helen Ede | Principal
“People are the reason I do what I do. Their differences and their journeys absorb and motivate me. Making a difference in times of need is what drives me. Knowing I do it well is what rewards me.”
Helen has a wealth of experience in family law. She is an expert in the field, having accredited as a specialist in family law in 2005, 10 years after first starting in practice.
She has also trained and practised in collaborative law, mediation, and as an independent children’s lawyer. She has diverse and deeply grounded skills as both a negotiator and a litigator, and over the course of her 20+ years in family law has acted regularly in complex matters.
Prior to working in family law, Helen practised in commercial law and commercial litigation and she brings that financial acumen and expertise to her family law practice, working regularly in complex property matters for high net worth individuals with complex companies, trusts, tax and valuation issues. But she focuses in equal measure on complex parenting matters, which have included parental alienation, sexual abuse and domestic violence, complex mental health issues and vulnerable children.
Helen is a member and accredited specialist of the Law Society and has served on its Family Law Issues Committee. She is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, Collaborative Professionals of NSW, the Australian Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Collaborative Professionals Northern Beaches.
When not assisting other families, Helen likes to spend time with her own, with all their challenges and their joys! She loves to ski and to dance, although doesn’t claim any particular expertise in either!
Paloma Sessions | Senior Associate
“It is a real privilege to guide clients through these extremely sensitive times. I enjoy using my knowledge, skill and humanity to help them build robust parenting frameworks and financial arrangements which will support their next chapter.”
Paloma is an experienced family lawyer who holds both a bachelors degree and a masters degree in law, with particular focus on Family Law and dispute resolution.
She worked in private practice for many years, including several years alongside Helen, prior to Helen establishing Ede Family Law. She is a thorough, considered and empathic lawyer who operates with insight and pragmatism.
As well as her experience in private practice, Paloma worked in government practice where she focused on Child Law and matters litigated under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Paloma joined Ede Family Law after returning from living in California with her young family. She loves the wilderness, skiing, and sailing – in fact there are few things Paloma cannot turn her hand to!
Paloma Sessions | Senior Associate
“It is a real privilege to guide clients through these extremely sensitive times. I enjoy using my knowledge, skill and humanity to help them build robust parenting frameworks and financial arrangements which will support their next chapter.”
Paloma is an experienced family lawyer who holds both a bachelors degree and a masters degree in law, with particular focus on Family Law and dispute resolution.
She worked in private practice for many years, including several years alongside Helen, prior to Helen establishing Ede Family Law. She is a thorough, considered and empathic lawyer who operates with insight and pragmatism.
As well as her experience in private practice, Paloma worked in government practice where she focused on Child Law and matters litigated under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Paloma joined Ede Family Law after returning from living in California with her young family. She loves the wilderness, skiing, and sailing – in fact there are few things Paloma cannot turn her hand to!
Melanie Bradshaw | Administrative Support
With a background in human relations, people are at the centre of everything Mel does. From supporting the administration side of the firm, to paralegal tasks in the management of client matters, Mel is a diversely skilled part of our team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages, and since then has acquired a broad range of experience using those skills in recruitment, HR and the legal industries.
In her spare time, Mel thoroughly enjoys exercising and travelling overseas.
Melanie Bradshaw | Administrative Support
With a background in human relations, people are at the centre of everything Mel does. From supporting the administration side of the firm, to paralegal tasks in the management of client matters, Mel is a diversely skilled part of our team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages, and since then has acquired a broad range of experience using those skills in recruitment, HR and the legal industries.
In her spare time, Mel thoroughly enjoys exercising and travelling overseas.
