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.
“Pepe is not a lawyer, she is an amazing human being. No, she is an angel (disguised as a lawyer). She elevated all stress and pressure and was my rock in one of the worst times in my life. She provided me with so much more than advice and representation, she guided me to be the person I am today.”
– Happy Family Law Client
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.
I knew there was a better way to assist separating families and at Balance Family Law, my team and I have created a service that allows separating couples to resolve their family law matters sensibly, with purpose and with minimal financial strain.
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.
Life before Balance Family Law looked a little different. Prior to 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 have found that my social work background helps me navigate family law matters with insight and clarity. I also gained invaluable experience very early in my career as an Associate to a Magistrate in the ACT Children’s Court while in the final years of my law degree.
In 2020, I created the 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 trained in conflict management coaching, advanced collaborative law and I have obtained postgraduate qualifications in Human Services. I am a qualified financial mediator and parenting co-ordinator and also offer those services.
My innovative approach to family law has seen Balance Family Law and me recognised with over 22 national and international awards and accolades since 2020 including but not limited to, the prestigious 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 2021.
I am a member of the ACT Law Society’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, the Canberra Collaborative Family Lawyers, and the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals. I am also the ACT Ambassador for Connecting Lawyer Mums.
I am an accomplished speaker available to speak at events and seminars on a range of topics including kindness in law, innovation in law and branding and social media for lawyers.
When I am not lawyering… (read more)
“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
Divorce and separation can sometimes be complicated. My keen interest in superannuation and complex property settlements which involve companies, trusts and taxation issues allows me to best explain and advise you on these issues, in simple, plain English. I enjoy maths and am good with numbers (which is rare for a lawyer) and I am one of a handful of family lawyers able to undertake Family Law valuations of defined benefit super.
I also lead our Wills and Estate Planning Team. Did you know that 75% of people don’t have a proper will? It’s my goal to change that and empower you to make estate planning decisions that effectively manage risks and will support your family in the future.
I have also been pivotal in building our fixed fee systems, to give you clarity as to your legal fees. No bill shock! Just fair, fixed fees.
I have completed my Masters in Applied Law (Estate Planning) through the College of Law in 2021, achieving the highest marks across all students, and was awarded Best Graduating Student in Estate Planning. In 2021, I was recognised as a Finalist at the prestigious Lawyer’s Weekly, 30 under 30 Awards in the Family Law category.
I am a founding member of The Kind Lawyers with Pepe, and I am an advocate for practicing law with good sense, clarity and a firm focus on solutions.
When I am not lawyering… (read more)
“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
Claire Bousfield
Claire joined the Balance family as a Paralegal in February 2022.
Claire decided she wanted to study law in year 11 (on the basis that she could argue about anything). Ultimately, she has found that her chosen career path brings together her interest in human behaviour and the law.
Family law intrigues Claire not just through its need to understand the basic tenets of law, but also in that it requires consideration of the emotions, values, and goals of each client.
Her biggest learning to date in her career is that legal practice is not just about litigation. Rather, conflict can be settled in less adversarial means, such as through mediation and arbitration.
Claire is a current member of the Canberra Law Student Society. In her spare time, she loves to hike, go to the gym, and embroid. She also loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends.
Lauren Quach
Lauren joined the Balance family as a Paralegal in January 2022.
Her decision to pursue law as a profession was driven largely by the fact that it requires constant learning and adaptability which she applies and engages with through all aspects of her life.
She relishes the variety and nuances of every case that gets presented and enjoys being able to work in an environment that provides the application of skills as opposed to the repetition of the same work – she finds it inspiring and keeps her wanting for more in her career.
Lauren’s ultimate goal is to adapt and ideate innovative solutions as the practice of law continues to develop and change over time. Through achieving this, she believes lawyers can provide optimal outcomes for the clients and bring about tangible impact.
In 2019, Lauren was an Australian Innovators Challenge Finalist and JA/ FedEx International Trade Challenge Australian Finalist. She also received a YWAG Youth InterACT Grant for ACT Artists Project in 2021.
In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her siblings and cousins, watching animated films, and pursuing several hobbies including graphic design, reading, soccer and playing the violin.
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.
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.
Victoria Frankel
Victoria joined the Balance family in 2020 and her specialty is getting stuff done.
As founder and director of Victoria Eve. & Co., she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs / start-ups / small business owners, who are usually stretched for time and in need of someone to help with the essential but time-consuming tasks.
Victoria has over 16 years’ administrative experience under her belt, including 6 years as a PA/EA at the executive level and 7 years at the managerial level. She is also a school teacher – high school art (the best kind of teacher! – seriously, who didn’t love art in high school?). What both experiences have ultimately taught her about herself is that she is a “helper”. She gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping people get to where they want and need to be in life, whether it’s a student, colleague, or a CEO.
