FGD Family Lawyers Melbourne
About the company
Farrar Gesini Dunn (FGD) has been in business for 30 years, commencing on 1 July 1995 when Denis Farrar, Olivia Gesini and Jim Dunn formed a partnership. It is one of the first law firms in Australia to practise exclusively in family law. The firm pioneered Collaborative Law in Australia and launched an LGBTIQ Legal Service.
It was a finalist for the ACT Law Society's 2022 ACT Law Firm of the Year. FGD practises in family law, wills and estates, conveyancing and accounting. FGD has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Coffs Harbour. The Melbourne office opened in 2011, headed by Sarah Keenan. The Melbourne team is led by Partners Sarah Keenan and Frank Chila.
What customers say
Based on genuine customer reviews
Reviews
Reviews are taken from publicly available sources.
I had an excellent experience working with Victoria Kilby and the team at FGD. From the beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout the entire process. They took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me informed at every stage, and always responded promptly to any questions I had. What could have been a very stressful situation was made much easier thanks to their expertise and attention to detail. I felt confident knowing my matter was being handled by someone who truly cared about achieving the best outcome. I highly recommend FGD and the team to anyone looking for reliable, professional, and compassionate legal assistance. Also, living out of Melbourne was no issue their service by distance was amazing. Thank you guys. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My family lawyer is Anne Ariyaratnam, and she is absolutely fantastic, far beyond my expectations. Her service, strategy, patience, and genuine willingness to stand in my shoes to help me far exceeded my expectations of a qualified lawyer. She is sincere, genuine, and always puts me first, considering issues from my perspective. Her services even covered the division of a private company in the divorce proceedings; she was incredibly professional, and her responses were always prompt and efficient. I am so glad I found a lawyer like Anne. I previously worked for another lawyer, which was very disappointing. Anne is simply amazing, almost perfect in every way—reliable, professional, and efficient. She never thinks about making more money; she always prioritizes my rights. Her fees are also very reasonable and I am extremely satisfied. Thank you, Anne, I am so grateful to have you.
Contacted the lawyers at FGD, Tassi and Justin guided me through the matter, gave sound advice and options. They were there when I needed them. Have already recommended another friend to their firm for Family Law advice.
Todd did a great job assisting me. Clear consistent communication. Handled my matter very professionally and in a timely manner. Would highly recommend Todd Stevens and the team at FGD.
Anne assisted me many years ago when my children were much younger, and when I needed help navigating the complexities of consent orders as my children enter their teens with their changing needs, I didn’t hesitate to seek her out again. She has an incredible sense of compassion and empathy, which makes such a difference when dealing with the often challenging family court system. Anne is professional, thorough, and always takes the time to explain all options clearly, providing thoughtful recommendations that truly suit your situation. I felt so much more at ease navigating the family law process with her by my side. I highly recommend Anne to anyone seeking a caring and knowledgeable family law solicitor.
I’ve been struggling with my family separation for many years. Within one phone call I felt like I suddenly had more options, clearer understanding and a person whom I could trust to help me navigate my unique situation. Felicity is calm and honest and patient - so understanding! I can highly recommend the team at FGD.
I had an incredible consultation experience with Daniel after seeking an LGBT+ friendly lawyer. Daniel made me feel really supported and validated, giving great, non-judgemental support!
Family lawyers in Melbourne compared
Ordered by rating, weighted by the number of reviews — businesses with only a handful of reviews do not jump to the top automatically. 11 businesses in this category in Melbourne are compared.
| Rank | Provider | Rating | Reviews | Open Sat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Melbourne | ★ 5,0 | 125 | Yes |
| 2 | Aston Legal Group | ★ 4,9 | 349 | Yes |
| 3 | Blackwood Family Lawyers | ★ 4,9 | 322 | No |
| 4 | Melbourne Family Lawyers | ★ 4,9 | 138 | No |
| 5 | Testart Family Lawyers Melbourne | ★ 4,9 | 61 | No |
| 9 | FGD Family Lawyers Melbourne (this page) | ★ 4,7 | 80 | No |
