Meet the Team
Perpetua Kish (Pepe)
Hello and welcome! I’m Pepe and I am the
Director & Co-Founder of Balance Family Law.
My goal is for kindness to be considered a strength and not a weakness in the practice of family law.
As a young lawyer, I saw first-hand how fighting over property and parenting arrangements at Court completely destroyed families, often accruing legal bills in the hundreds of thousands.
If you want a hired gun lawyer who will fight for you all the way to Court, I am not your lawyer. I have not had a matter progress to a final hearing at court in over 7 years. Instead, my team and I have helped countless clients resolve matters, even the really tough matters, with purpose, accountability, and good sense.
What’s our secret? Kindness and a commitment to finding peaceful, “outside the box” solutions that work for separating couples. My clients never feel like they’re just a number.I draw from my unique and varied skill set and experience to provide holistic family law advice and guidance. I have also worked as a case worker and legal officer for the ACT statutory child protection agency, and I have found that my social work background helps me navigate family law matters with insight and clarity. I am also trained in conflict management coaching, mediation, parenting coordination, collaborative coaching, and advanced collaborative law, and I have postgraduate qualifications in Human Services.
My innovative approach to law has seen me, and Balance Family Law recognised with over 23 national and international awards and accolades since 2020 including the prestigious ACT Law Society’s President Medal 2023, Lawyer’s Weekly Family Law Partner of the Year 2021, Australian Law Awards Sole Practitioner of the Year 2021, Australian Law Awards Boutique Law Firm of the Year 2020, and the Gold Ausmumpreneur Award for a Service Business in 2020 and 2021.
I have also received consecutive Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence for my work with families and children on the frontline during my time working in child protection. Since 2022, I have been invited to join an esteemed panel of judges for various industry awards.
In 2020, I created The Kind Lawyers, and with 8 other family law professionals, have founded a movement that is all about changing the conversation about divorce from one of combat to kindness.
I am a Director of Pacifica Congress, and the The Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals (AACP) with both organisations championing a more holistic, multi-disciplinary and child-focused approach to family law. I am also on the Australasian Taskforce of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, and work with Connecting Lawyer Mums, a support group dedicated to boosting the well-being, confidence and careers of lawyer parents and related professionals around Australia, as a consultant and leader (and past Chair).
As one of Australia’s most respected family lawyers and a game-changer in the lawyer space, I look forward to working with you to navigate this challenging time in your life.
Outside of Balance, I enjoy spending time with my family, going for bike rides and long walks, working out at the gym and volunteering at animal sanctuaries. I love all animals, (especially cats!) and I am an advocate for animal rights.
“I have followed Pepe for 11 years of family law assistance I have needed. She has been a calm beacon of light through some really difficult times in my life. Pepe provided measured balanced advice which allowed me to feel well supported and able to navigate what is a confusing and mentally tough road”.
– Happy Family Law Client
Jonathon Naef (Jono)
Hi, I’m Jono and I am a lawyer & Co-founder of Balance Family Law.
My goal is to make the law and legal solutions more accessible (and affordable).
“Jono was super helpful and efficient in getting my will and estate plan in order. Very knowledgeable and was always willing to make the time to ensure I understood the why’s and how’s of my will. Would definitely recommend Jono and the Balance Team to anyone and everyone!”
– Happy Estate Planning Client
I specialise in simple and complex property and financial settlements, with a keen interest in superannuation, trusts, companies, and taxation issues. My goal is to provide clear and practical advice in simple, plain English.
I am one of the few family lawyers who can undertake Family Law valuations of defined benefit super, and I enjoy working with clients to plan for future relationships and prepare “prenup” and “postnup” agreements.
I also lead our Wills and Estate Planning Team. Did you know that over 75% of people do not have a proper will? This creates uncertainty about who will manage their affairs, including in relation to companies, trusts, and superannuation, and where their assets will end up after their death. I help clients of all ages to see the value of working through a plan for when they pass away or become incapacitated so that any risks can be managed, and their loved ones are taken care of. I can also assist with applying for probate after someone has passed away and help resolve pre- and post-death disputes around wills, estates, and guardianship matters.
I completed a Master of Law (Applied Law), majoring in Estate Planning with the College of Law, where I achieved the highest marks among all students and was awarded “Best Graduating Student” in Estate Planning, in 2021. I have also completed several courses in interdisciplinary collaborative practice, in both Family Law and Wills and Estates.
In 2021, I was recognized as a Finalist at the prestigious Lawyer’s Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards in the Family Law category, and in 2022, I was named the Winner of the 30 Under 30 Awards in the Wills & Estate category. In 2023, I was a Finalist for the ACT Law Society’s New Lawyer of the Year Award.
I am a founding member and treasurer of The Kind Lawyers with Pepe, a movement that advocates for a more insightful way of practising law that considers the actual effects of our actions as lawyers on not only our clients but also the people around them. I am also a member of the Art of Estate Planning, Pacifica Congress, and an affiliate member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Outside of Balance, I am an adjunct lecturer and assessor with the College of Law in the ACT. In this role, I lecture and mentor future lawyers in the ACT and surrounding regions, as they complete their Practical Legal Training (which is the course you are required to complete to be able to practice as a lawyer). When I am not lawyering, I love to travel and have already been to 18 countries across Europe and Asia. My personal goal is to travel to every continent, including Antarctica. My favourite destination so far is Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, where I skydived over the Swiss Alps!
“I’d just like to say that Jonathan Naef was a spectacular lawyer and our recent divorce settlement went incredibly smoothly and speedily thanks to him and I think he deserves a lot of credit for it. He cared, was prompt, always delivered”
– Happy Family Law Client
Muhamed Mehmedbasic
Muhamed joined the Balance family as a Senior Lawyer in September 2022.
Muhamed chose to study law near the end of high school as part of a double degree with music, and the attraction to practising law grew through his studies.
What intrigues Muhamed most about law is helping people through uncertainties and extremes, and (from the technical side of legal practice) the emphasis on language and logic.
He has a calm, measured and meticulous approach while remaining aware that some cases are more marred by too much detail than by just enough.
Muhamed completed Mental Health First Aid Accreditation with Mental Health First Aid Australia in December 2022. Additionally, Muhamed has participated in trauma-informed training with the Women’s Legal Centre in November 2023 along with the rest of the team.
In Muhamed’s spare time, he enjoys playing or listening to music, particularly live gigs, given the last few years. Muhamed plays the double bass and enjoys performing classical and jazz.
Muhamed’s goal within legal practice is a satisfaction that it had been practised well, and his addition to the team has brought a fresh sense of balance to our growing team (pun intended!).
Divya Kamath
Divya joined the Balance family as a Graduate Law Clerk in September 2022. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the ACT in February 2023 and has embarked on a career as a Lawyer.
Driven by her strong sense of fairness, Divya has always aspired to be a lawyer and is particularly drawn to family law because of the direct interaction with people and the opportunity to support them through a very emotional phase. Divya enjoys the unique challenges posed by family law’s discretionary nature, as no two cases are ever the same.
The biggest learning in her career so far is that in family law, better outcomes may be achieved in a more collaborative way than by adversarial means and this helps parties maintain a better relationship with each other. Towards this, she has completed the Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training through MELCA Academy.
Divya is persistent and has a never-give-up attitude towards the goals she sets, however distant or hard they may seem.
Divya is a member of Diverse Women in Law, and in her spare time, she loves travelling and spending quality time with her family.
Claire Bousfield
Claire joined the Balance Family Law team in February 2022. Claire was awarded her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2023. She was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of the ACT in October 2023.
Drawing on her studies of law and psychology, Claire understands that family law issues often leave clients feeling broken and vulnerable. Inspired by an understanding of how psycho-social factors influence a person’s experience of family breakdown and their interactions with legal processes, Claire is committed to taking a holistic approach to assist her family law clients. She intends to assist clients in a legal sense whilst also providing the support and knowledge that enables clients to negotiate their legal and personal situations confidently and capably. In this regard, she has completed the Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training through MELCA Academy.
During her time at Balance, Claire has noted the clear advantages of ADR as a primary pathway to resolving conflict and its ability to provide positive outcomes for clients. She is particularly committed to the incorporation of Child Inclusive Practice as an important means to consider children’s voices in parenting matters. Claire also has a particular interest in supporting families impacted by domestic violence. Claire has identified clear opportunities for legal reform in this aspect of family law, in particular, the intersection of coercive control and animal welfare in family law matters.
Claire is the immediate past President of the Canberra Law Students’ Society at the University of Canberra. In 2022, she was a recipient of the University of Canberra Ambassador of Change Award for recognition of her work in promoting equity and social justice at the University of Canberra and in 2023, she was nominated as a finalist in the Australian Law Student Association Female Law Student of the Year Award.
In her spare time Claire enjoys keeping active, an occasional Netflix binge, and spending time down the coast with her family (including her golden bundle of Labrador joy, Henry).
Supratha Thinakaran
Supratha joined the Balance family in July 2023 as an Administration Officer and started her position as an Administration Manager in November 2023. She has completed her Master of Management with commendation at the Australian National University. She specialized in digital transformation and ranked among the top three students in five subjects. Supratha is currently also an academic tutor at the Australian National University, where she tutors undergrad business students in consumer behaviour and marketing.
Her passion for digital transformation is driven by her aspiration to help organisations achieve their goals efficiently by integrating technology into all aspects of the business.
Supratha’s diverse background includes a Bachelor of Culinary Management degree from William Angliss Institute in Melbourne, where she was the highest-ranking student in her class and was awarded the Sir William Angliss International Scholarship.
Using her experience providing superior customer service in hospitality, and her desire to improve Balance Family Law through digital transformation, Supratha is focused on ensuring that each Balance client is provided with the service they deserve, in the most efficient way possible.
In her spare time, Supratha enjoys watching sitcoms, cooking delicious meals, playing badminton, and taking walks around the lake. She’s also guilty of re-watching Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, and Friends several times through.
Isabelle Lo
Isabelle joined the Balance family as a Paralegal in March 2023, and is currently studying a double degree in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Biotechnology. Isabelle’s journey into the legal profession was fuelled by her interest in the innovative and rapidly advancing biotech industry and what that means for law, whether it be intellectual property or regulating the industry.
As a result of the rare combination of law and biotech study, Isabelle brings to Balance a rare set of skills and experience that she has learned from studying two very different disciplines. Isabelle enjoys applying her skills to help colleagues at Balance achieve the best outcomes for clients.
Isabelle completed the mental health first aid course through Mental Health First Aid Australia in 2022.
In her spare time, Isabelle plays soccer with the ANUWFC, embarks on the (very) occasional run, enjoys working on puzzles with her housemates, and is a self-confessed lover of cleaning the house.
Caitlin Galeano
Caitlin joined Balance as an Intern in May 2024 to go towards her Law degree. In July, she started her position as a paralegal. She began her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Science at the Australian National University and is now completing her Law degree at the University of Canberra.
Initially, law was simply a subject area of interest, but her passion for pursuing a career as a lawyer has only flurried as she progresses through her studies. She is a dedicated and enthusiastic student, and a keen learner ready to apply her skills to support Balance in assisting their clients.
Outside of the firm, you may find her enjoying a good book, watching Netflix, or hitting the gym. She enjoys an interesting puzzle, whether that be a jigsaw or something creative. She looks forward to catching up with friends at their weekly social oztag match and is a former competitive cricket player.
Adripro Dey
Adri, a second-year student at the Australian National University (ANU), is pursuing a dual degree in Law (Honours) and Commerce. With a strong focus on learning and a resilient mindset, he has cultivated a versatile skill set encompassing leadership, communication, organisation, and research.
His academic achievements underscore his dedication to achieving exceptional results, and his determination has enabled him to collaborate effectively with a range of clientele. Outside of his professional endeavours, he is also an active member of the South Asian community. He frequently assists in organising events for the Bangladeshi Hindu community and spreading its awareness to ACT ministers, High Commissioners, and other notable community leaders. He is also an active member of the ANU South Asian Research and Advocacy Hub (SARAH), in which he works with other students to make submissions to Parliament regarding implementing and reforming policy that affects the South Asian community.
In his spare time, he enjoys binge-watching TV shows ranging from comedies to crime thrillers. He also spends time with mates, exploring Canberra, playing sports, and going out for the occasional karaoke night.
Jemima Thomas
Jemima joined the Balance Family Law team as a Legal Assistant in August 2024. She is currently pursuing a double bachelor’s degree in Law (Honors) and Commerce, majoring in Management at the Australian National University. Jemima was drawn to law by the wide range of specialisations offered by the legal field and is particularly interested in the emergence of new laws regulating the use of artificial intelligence and data security.
With her previous experience in client-centred roles and her study of management, Jemima enjoys utilising her skills to support Balance clients to find effective legal solutions during challenging times in their lives. Moreover, Jemima volunteers weekly as an academic tutor at the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service ACT.
In her spare time, Jemima enjoys travelling, taking walks in nature, and binging House of Cards with her housemates. She also plays netball in a social competition with her friends.
Anne Connor
Anne joined the Balance family as a consultant in 2021.
She entered law to defend the vulnerable across all walks of life and believes that not many can be more vulnerable than children caught in conflict. Anne, therefore, values spending time with her clients and working for them in a way that empowers them to overcome conflict and self-interest and seek what is best for their children – sometimes all you need is the right person in your corner!
Anne commenced her legal career in early 2014 as a Deputy Associate to a Judge in the then Federal Circuit Court, before moving into private practice in early 2016 for a reputable suburban firm southwest of Sydney. She now owns and operates her own practice which gives her the ability to work closely with Balance Family Law as a consultant, a priority of hers.
Anne predominantly practices in Family Law (including Child Support), but also has experience in Fair Work, Estate Planning & Estate Administration, Coronial Inquests, Crime, Bankruptcy and Small Claims matters. Anne enjoys bringing the variety of her experiences to benefit her Family Law clients who can often have more than one legal problem at a time.
Clare Jobson
Clare joined the Balance family as a consultant in June 2020.
Clare runs her own practice CJ Legal, which opened in Adelaide in 2015. CJ Legal is now based in Brisbane where Clare resides with her Defence partner Jason. It’s Clare’s goal to assist families with navigating their way through various legal issues.
As a Defence spouse herself, Clare has a special interest in assisting Defence families with all the unique associated challenges that military life brings. Clare’s legal career includes employment with the Department of Justice in the Northern Territory, and for Public Trustee in South Australia, in Private Practice, and in the Community Legal Sector.
A passion for social justice means Clare has worked as a volunteer solicitor for various Community Legal Services, in every state she has lived in. Clare is currently a volunteer solicitor at Women’s Legal Service in QLD.
In July 2015 Clare completed her Independent Children’s Lawyer course, which in combination with her 24+ years of nursing and other experience brings a unique perspective to her legal practice.
Clare has appeared on the Happy Lawyer Happy Life (episode 121) and the Military Wife Military Life (episode 49) Podcasts and in Lawyers Weekly publications.
Mischa Warwick
Mischa assists the Balance Family Law and The Kind Lawyers teams with graphic design and basic admin duties. She is particularly skilled at creating beautiful content on Canva.
This is her first ever job as she navigates high school although she has been volunteering for charities since she was 9. She has received many academic awards and in 2019 at just 11, she was awarded an Exceptional Young Person Award at the Annual Children’s Week awards, and also the ACT Children’s Commissioner Award for her volunteer efforts, selected from all nominees across all award categories. In that same year, she was also acknowledged with a Fred Hollow’s Award Humanity Award and was the recipient of the Rotary Community Service Award at her school.
She is also an elite award-winning dancer, enjoys playing tennis and watching Kath & Kim reruns. She loves all animals, especially cats.
