Meet the Team

Perpetua Kish (Pepe)

Principal Lawyer

Hello and welcome! I’m Pepe and I am the Director and Co-Founder of Balance Family Law.

My goal is for kindness to be considered a strength and not a weakness in the practice of law.

I am committed to improving the way couples and families experience divorce and separation. While the law offers legal solutions, most family law issues really need a human solution. At Balance, we strive to create solutions that consider both.

Over the years, I have come to realise that many of my friends and family would struggle with legal fees if they ever had to engage a family lawyer. Family law should definitely be more accessible. So, with this in mind, my team and I have created a service that allows separating couples to swiftly and affordably resolve their family law matters, with as much (or as little) help from us as they need.

I have practiced exclusively in family law since mid-2010. Before private practice, I worked as a case worker and legal officer for the ACT statutory child protection agency, receiving consecutive Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence for my work with families and children on the frontline. I also gained unique insights as an Associate to a Magistrate in the ACT Children’s Court while in the final years of my law degree.

I am trained in conﬂict management coaching, advanced collaborative law and I have obtained post-graduate qualiﬁcations in Human Services. I also am Balance’s Social Media and P.R go-to. My super power is creative problem solving and thinking outside the box.

I am an active member the Canberra Collaborative Family Lawyers Association and I volunteer at the ACT Women’s Legal Service.

When I am not lawyering… (read more)

I am passionate environmentalist and animal lover. I advocate for kinder lawyering and living through my instablog, The Kind Lawyer and through my volunteer work at local sanctuaries and community organisations. Once upon a time I was an actor and performer, but these days I am happy being a dance mum to my two lively daughters and wife to my ﬁreﬁghting husband.

My team and I are excited to help you create balance harmony during and after your divorce.

Jonathon Naef (Jono)

Lawyer

Hi, I’m Jono and I am a lawyer and Co-founder of Balance Family Law. My goal is to make the law and legal solutions more accessible (and affordable) through technology.

I have a keen interest in superannuation and complex property settlements which involve companies, trusts and taxation issues. I am also experienced in the preparation of divorce applications and binding agreements. I enjoy maths and am good with numbers, (which is pretty rare for a lawyer!) As well as lawyering, I am Balance’s financial officer and bring my enthusiasm for numbers to all areas of the business to improve our clients’ experience.

I strive to improve the delivery of legal services through the creative use of technology and I am proud to have been instrumental in the creation of our online settlement solution, Forward>> .

I am also a volunteer with The Legal Forecast, a not-for-profit run by early-career professionals and students who are passionate about disruptive thinking and access to justice. My super power is GSD (getting sh*t done!)

When I am not lawyering… (read more)

I love to travel and have already made it to 18 countries across Europe and Asia. My personal goal is to travel to every continent, including Antarctica. My favourite destination so far are Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland, where I skydived over the Swiss Alps!

Outside of the law and travel, I am a qualified lifeguard and swimming instructor, teaching kids from as young as six months to adults.

You can follow me on social media through my Instagram alter-ego, The Numbers Lawyer.

Jessica Adelan- Langford

Consultant (Wills & Estates / Mediation)

Jess consults to Balance on complex estates matters and is also available to conduct mediations.

Her goal is to combine philanthropy and the law and offer services accessible to everyone.

She brings her years of experience working solely in the estates field in addition to recently completing her Masters in Applied Law majoring in Wills and Estates and mediator training through the College of Law.

She recognises that relationships are the most important things in our lives. Planning for the future or resolving disputes following the loss of a loved one are issues with relationships at their core. She looks beyond the issue and is motivated by compassion to provide holistic, practical and creative solutions for her clients. Her super power is empowering others to be their best.

When Jess isn’t lawyering… (read more)

Jess is a proud mum to two pre-schoolers, and two fur babies, Arizona and Nutmeg. She’s a bit addicted to salt and pepper tofu. She’s outdoorsy and artsy. Most weekends you will find her camping in the mountains or designing amazing necklaces.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to find out more about us... We are a little bit different and proudly non-lawyery. Lots of spunk and on most days, not a suit in sight!