Cassandra Selvaggio

My Dealings at Blackwood Family Lawyers were all but exclusively with Jennifer who from our initial meeting right through to settlement was a huge support and guiding hand. Her expertise along with her understanding and thoughtful approach was calming and reassuring throughout every step of what is a truly awful process.I doubt very much if l would have made it without Jenn’s help and guidance.In a system where regardless of the contingent factors a father is always frowned upon, Jennifer constantly provided educated responses and a calming demeanour regardless of the situation. I could not recommend Jennifer strongly enough.

Further to my property settlement that Melissa worked on to achieve a very successful outcome, she continued to be very helpful, knowledgeable, responsive and professional in the way she handled my final divorce process. She achieved a great outcome again in getting Divorce Orders and made the process as smooth as possible. I would like to say again that I would highly recommend Melissa and Blackwood Family Lawyers to anyone in need of family law advice / services.

The team at Blackwoods were professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and very effective, I highly recommend.THANK YOU to the team at Blackwood lawyers, Caroline, Carla, Bryn, and all involved with my case, appreciate all your outstanding efforts.My family are forever grateful, until my next divorce (hopefully never lol) take care.

I had the immense privilege of working with Andrew and Chloe during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Their support, professionalism, and unwavering dedication meant more to me than words can express.From the very first interaction, Andrew and Chloe made me feel heard, safe, and empowered. They treated my case with empathy and urgency, and their clear communication gave me a sense of control during a time when I felt incredibly vulnerable. They were not only excellent legal professionals but also deeply kind human beings who genuinely cared about my wellbeing.Unfortunately, due to a decline in my health, I wasn’t able to continue with their services. This was a difficult decision, and I regret not being able to thank them properly. I hope they know how grateful I am for everything they did and how much their early support helped me build the strength I needed to move forward.Andrew and Chloe are a remarkable team, and anyone who finds themselves in their care should know they are in truly capable hands. I will always be thankful.

I cannot recommend Blackwood Family Lawyers highly enough. I had previously referred several friends to them who had been impressed and very happy with their work. When my relationship unfortunately ended, they were my first choice and I knew from the first meeting that I was in safe hands. They handled my complex and emotionally challenging divorce with the utmost professionalism, skill, and compassion.From day one, their communication was impeccable—I was always kept informed and reassured at every stage of the process. Despite the case spanning two years, they remained patient, supportive, and incredibly thorough, ensuring that I felt heard and understood throughout. Their legal expertise and strategic approach were invaluable, but what truly set them apart was their ability to provide not just legal guidance but also practical advice and support.The team at Blackwood Family Lawyers, particularly Cassandra, Sarah and Marita are not only outstanding practitioners, but also the right people to have by your side during a challenging family law matter. If you’re looking for lawyers who are professional, responsive, and truly care about their clients, I highly recommend them.

Review for Mary & Sarah – Outstanding Legal TeamMary was an exceptional lawyer for my family court property matters from start to finish. My case involved serious family violence, with the other party in jail when I engaged Mary for my property settlement. Despite this added complexity, she handled everything with confidence, professionalism, and a clear strategy to get the job done.She was fully invested in my case, demonstrating an impressive level of attention to detail and ensuring that every aspect of the court documents was thorough and precise. She didn’t miss a beat, always staying ahead of the process and leaving no stone unturned. Her knowledge, strategy, and preparation were outstanding, and she consistently outperformed the other party’s lawyer.Whenever I called or emailed Mary, she was incredibly responsive, always providing clear answers and a well thought out plan for the next steps. Her communication gave me confidence and reassurance throughout the process.A special mention also goes to Sarah, an exceptional senior legal assistant who was always there to assist or reassure me when Mary was in a meeting or unavailable. She listened, followed through, and ensured I always had the answers I needed when I needed them. Her efficiency, organisation, and dedication made such a difference during this difficult time.Thank you so much, Mary and Sarah. I will never forget what you have done for me. I highly recommend this incredible legal team to anyone needing strong, supportive, and highly skilled professionals in family law matters.

I engaged Blackwoods Family Lawyers for a matter lasting several months, I worked with Ben Vincent as my lawyer. He was very trustworthy and I felt he always represented my best interests. I had no knowledge or experience with this subject and he supported me through the process and to a successful conclusion. I would recommend them again

Alison Finch was a tremendous help to me with the family court. I so appreciate her confident counsel, clear guidance and efficient handling of my matter.

Melissa Hine of Blackwood Family Lawyers was absolutely fantastic, knowledgeable and professional in assisting me in my divorce property settlement.I have dealt with and utilised the services of many lawyers/solicitors professionally for over 23 years and Melissa would have to be amongst one of the best that I have dealt with.I had previously sought advice and engaged another firm (Madison Branson Lawyers). However, their services were ultimately non-existent and appeared to be prolonging things and charging me unnecessary fees. Whereas the services and my experience from Melissa/Blackwood Family Lawyers were the complete opposite.Melissa was highly attentive, engaging, provided excellent service and advice, which helped to reach a positive resolution. She also did her best to assist me in trying to save costs (unlike a lot of other law firms). When things became petty and at times unprofessional from the other side, she remained level-headed and professional.Thank you again Melissa and Blackwood Family Lawyers for assisting me to reach a fair and reasonable outcome which I was very happy with on what was a prolonged and sometimes emotionally draining process.I would highly recommend Melissa and Blackwood Family Lawyers’s services and in fact I have recently referred friends to them.

Caitlin, Carla and their team were absolutely incredible during my property and financial settlement process. Caitlin is not only a very skilled and knowledgeable legal practitioner, but she also has the approachability and kindness which made all the difference to making me feel safe and in good hands in this already stressful process. I always felt heard, and that Caitlin and her team understood my instructions and gave me informed and prompt legal advice throughout the process. Thank you so much to Caitlin and Carla and the whole Blackwood team. I would recommend your services to anyone who needs it! Thank you again.

Alison Finch from Blackwood Solicitor was the leader of team for my property settlement and separation as per family law, her assistant Sarah Elkin was conveyance person. Sarah has done her work as arranged by Alison Finch. Alison was straight forward, pleasant and I found I trusted her, I liked her and am happy Blackwoods have settled this sad family law experience for me, thank you Blackwoods Solicitors and especially Alison Finch

I am writing this review with a heart full of gratitude for Jennifer.I am Australian but currently live in the UAE and during my search for a lawyer I emailed 6 firms; Jennifer was the only one who answered my email with a call. She took the time to listen and understand my situation.Over the past few months she was upfront and straightforward with me regarding the status and possible outcomes. This I appreciated.Ultimately, Jennifer worked with the upmost care , professionalism and sincerity. I felt that she was dedicated to helping me and always responded to emails in a timely manner. I’ll always be grateful to her for her hard work and kindness.

Alison Finch and her assistance Chloe Wheeler were amazing: Words cannot express how grateful I am to have Alison as my Legal Counsel. Her professionalism and timely communication helped alleviate my stress during the process over the past few months. Happy to recommend BLACKWOOD FAMILY LAWYERS.

I was so thankful to be referred to Blackwood Family Lawyers when I was going through my divorce. It was a complicated situation of family trusts, an ongoing business, and both local and international assets. But Melissa and Meg were very knowledgeable and helpful of all aspects from initial consultation through to financial settlement, consent orders and then the application for divorce. I especially appreciated how Melissa clearly explained each process without jargon and made me aware of the requirements, costs and any potential risks. I also appreciated how Melissa carefully listened to what my desired outcomes were via the financial settlement and divorce process and explained the limits of the law and what might be possible. I would highly recommend Melissa to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation where they need a lawyer who has the skill to work through all the details of a complicated financial situation to ensure that nothing is missed (e.g. risk, asset, payment schedule) and to fully engage with the wants/needs of the client. Thank you also to the rest of the team who worked on my file including the founding Principal Wendy Jenkins.

I recently sought the legal assistance of Andrew Blake, one of the Senior Associates at Blackwood Family Lawyers, and was extremely impressed with him and his assistant Chloe. Andrew is a consummate professional and incredibly thorough. He explained all of the legalities comprehensively and is an excellent communicator. The entire process was handled exceptionally from start to finish and I cannot recommend his services highly enough.

The Jennifer (lawyer) and Desi (assistant) team is truly dedicated to their work. It was an emotionally exhausting case. Their care and empathy made a significant difference in my experience. I had an excellent rapport with Jennifer. She was efficient, calm, understanding, organised and patient with my questions.I highly recommend Jennifer and Desi to anyone seeking legal assistance.

Elizabeth Pathmaraj is exceptional. No words can describe how her and her team helped me through my process and made everything a lot easier to understand and navigate. I highly recommend the Blackwood Family Lawyer team.

Words will never be able to express how grateful I am to Andrew Blake and Chloe from Blackwood Family Lawyers.They went above and beyond to help us when need. They were compassionate, professional and a shoulder to lean on. Nothing was ever to much for them and they displayed amazing communication skills throughout the whole process.

Just wanted to leave a message from my family and I thanking Bryn Stevens for his wonderful assistance in our matter.Bryn’s knowledge and understanding of the Family Court and Legal process is second to none.He is extremely professional and his attention to detail is exemplary.This helped achieve positive outcomes that we will forever be grateful for.Strongly recommend Bryn Stevens, Kelly Sinclair and Blackwood Family Lawyers.A heart felt thanks for all your help and efforts – it’s greatly appreciated.

Nothing but positive feedback for Sarah, Andrew & Chloe. The services provided to help settle my family law matter were incredibly professional, with clear and concise communication around getting the best result out of a tricky & emotional situation. I will be forever recommending them. Thank you team.

I highly recommend Danielle Sturgeon of Blackwood Family Lawyers. My matter has been a complex and stressful journey. Danielle is extremely knowledgeable, and empathetic. She has handled my matter professionally, confidently and with exceptionally clear and concise communication. I am grateful to have been represented by such an outstanding lawyer. Thank you!

I would highly recommend Melissa Hine of Blackwood Family Lawyers. It was my first interaction with a family lawyer case and she made the process very easy by explaining things expertly, concisely and candidly. Melissa was diligent in checking in with me and providing timely updates as well as frequently correcting the other parties typos and errors in information. While I hope I won’t need to be involved in a similar case in future, I know exactly who to call if I do!

What a great team. I had such a great experience with this group. My family case was handled with expertise and knowledge that I came out in front compared to where I originally began. Thank you Blackwood team! Thank you Jennifer, Sarah and Desi. I will not hesitate to recommend you to anyone who comes across with the unfortunate situation that I was in. Thank you once again.

Andrew Blake and team were handling my case, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome. Andrew professionalism and expertise were evident from our first meeting. He took the time to understand every detail of my situation and provided clear guidance throughout the entire process.Andrew Blake was always accessible, promptly responding to any questions or concerns I had. His knowledge of the law and strategic approach were instrumental in achieving a favourable result for my case.I highly recommend Andrew Blake to anyone seeking legal representation. Andrew dedication to their clients and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome are truly commendable.

Dealt with Alison Finch for a few years and even followed here from another firm. She assisted with a defacto property settlement regarding my ex that lived with me for a short time but was still entitled to a portion of my assets (to my disappointment). She was flexible in how I was able to work with her from full engagement to step in step out and even just chats to make me feel comfortable and informed. You can tell the minute you meet her that she CARES about your situation and the outcome for you not just from a financial point of view but a mental health one as well which… is IMPORTANT. Highly recommend.

Melissa was very efficient, responsive and professional in the way she handled my property settlement. She achieved a great outcome by consent Orders and Financial Agreement following Mediation, and will shortly be supporting with my divorce application. She was very attentive to detail and made a stressful situation and process much easier to work through. I would highly recommend Melissa and Blackwood Family Lawyers to anyone in need of family law advice / services.

Happy to recommend Blackwoods family lawyers.For what was a complex family matter for myself, I found both Melissa Hine and Caroline Khoury to have handled my case with not only expertise in the field of family law, but also compassion and understanding.Thankyou Blackwood Family Lawyers

Liz from Blackwood Family lawyers has been fantastic to work with during an emotional and challenging process. She is very supportive, empathetic and patient. She is highly knowledgeable and guides you through the myriad of optons, logically and pragmatically whilst always aiming to achieve the best outcome for you as her client. I cannot recommend her highly enough and thank her for all her support through this process.

Bryn was impeccable through this very difficult process. Always understanding and did whatever possible to keep costs low. Would 100% recommend him to anyone requiring family law services in the future. Thank you for all your help!!

Shout-out to Mary and Sarah for delivering an exceptional services. They both were very professional and such a reliable team worker, they obviously an expert in the field. After having a hard time with my previous lawyer, I am so grateful to finally found a credible family lawyer. Mary and Sarah were very supportive and making me feel comfortable throughout the process. Easy communication and fast response as well from beginning until the end. Would highly recommend Blackwood Family Lawyers with no doubt. Thank you so much Mary and Sarah, it was a pleasant to work with you!

Jennifer from Blackwood Family Lawyers is an exceptional professional who exceeded my expectations in every way! She guided me through the divorce application process with empathy, expertise, and unwavering support. Her dedication, attention to detail, and prompt communication made a challenging time much more manageable. Jennifer’s compassion and understanding helped me navigate complex emotions, while her sharp legal acumen ensured the best possible outcome. I wholeheartedly recommend Jennifer to anyone seeking a trustworthy and skilled family lawyer. Her exceptional service and care have earned her a well-deserved 5 stars! Thank you, Jennifer, for your outstanding work and support.

I am coming to the end of a five year long family law matter which has seen every conceivable twist and turn and, as I look back, it is clear to me that the best decision I made was to engage Alison Finch of Melbourne-based Blackwood Family Lawyers to represent me. Her attention to detail and meticulous nature underpins her obvious passion for achieving the best outcome she could for me in what was broadly acknowledged as a very difficult and protracted matter. Her efforts resulted in my receiving an unprecedented and remarkable outcome in my case. Through her comprehensive, timely and simple-to-understand advice I consistently remained well informed and confident of my legal position throughout my legal journey with Alison and Blackwood Family Lawyers and would entrust any Family Law matter to them with confidence.

I had the pleasure of working with Caitlin Elliott and Carla Guevara. They handled my case with care and empathy and I can’t thank them enough for supporting me with a positive outcome. Caitlin provided a safe space for me and always made me feel supported and heard! Caitlin was great at explaining everything to me to ensure I understood all processes as well as advocated for me throughout the entire process with the upmost respect.Hoping I never need to use a family lawyer again, but if I did I would definitely use Caitlin again!

I am so blown away by the support, guidance and encouragement I received from my lawyer and her assistant at Blackwood Family Lawyers.I always felt in safe hands and well supported- given the vulnerable states we often visit a family lawyer for. Very professional and knowledgeable team, I was never left wondering if I would be well represented.I cannot recommend highly enough.

I recently had the privilege of working with Andrew Blake, Carla Guevara and Chloe Wheeler from Blackwood Family Lawyers during my divorce process, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional support I received. Going through a divorce is undoubtedly one of life’s most difficult challenges, but with their expertise and compassionate approach, the journey became more manageable.From the outset, Andrew demonstrated a deep understanding of the legal intricacies involved, providing me with clear explanations and guidance every step of the way. Their professionalism and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of the process, instilling confidence and peace of mind during a time when emotions can run high.Throughout the entire process, I felt heard, supported, and respected. Andrew, Carla and Chloe took the time to listen to my concerns, answer my questions, and offer thoughtful advice, creating a supportive environment that made a significant difference in navigating the complexities of divorce.Communication was seamless, with Andrew, Carla and Chloe promptly addressing any inquiries and keeping me informed about the progress of my case. This level of transparency and responsiveness was invaluable, providing a sense of control and understanding during a time when uncertainty can be overwhelming.Thank you to Andrew, Carla and Chloe, for your outstanding service and unwavering support. I am grateful for the positive impact you’ve had on my life during this challenging time.

Blackwood family lawyers, more specifically Andrew Blake, were absolutely amazing to deal with. Living in regional Victoria and Blackwoods being Melbourne based he made this such an easy process given the distance. I wanted someone who could represent me and my children to get the best outcome for our family and he exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t recommend a better family Lawyer and will forever be grateful for the help and patience he has given me going through such a daunting and difficult process. Thank you Andrew and Blackwood Family Lawyers.

I engaged Blackwood Family Lawyers to represent me in a complex case regarding grandparents rights. Bryn Steven’s ability to articulate the legal complexities and provide me with clear, strategic guidance was invaluable throughout the entire process.Bryn took the time to listen to my concerns, answer my questions, and consistently kept me informed about the progress of my case. His compassionate approach and unwavering support provided me with a sense of reassurance during a highly emotional and turbulent time.Throughout the proceedings, Bryn exhibited a strong commitment to advocating for my family’s best interests, ultimately securing a favorable outcome that far exceeded my expectations.I highly recommend Bryn to anyone in need of a skilled family lawyer. His unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible results for clients is truly commendable, and I am immensely grateful for his outstanding representation.

I am very happy with the assistance I received from Blackwood Family Lawyers, and more specifically Melissa, and I highly recommend their services without any hesitation.Melissa’s professionalism, knowledge, diligence, patience and effort in working fairly towards a good outcome in a timely manner were very much appreciated.Melissa always communicated promptly, even after hours when necessary, and her attention to detail was exemplary.Thank you, Melissa and Blackwood Family Lawyers.

Having dealt with Blackwood Family Lawyers and more specifically Melissa i cant recommend there services enough.The professionalism, communication and strive to achieve the outcome i desired made a stressful experience that much easier.I was always kept fully informed of the processes, updates and timeframes throughout.Melissa also made sure all external parties such as realestate agents and surveyors where kept up to date and on the same page to make settlement a seamless process.Thank you Melissa and Blackwood Family Lawyers.

Cassandra and Sarah – I can’t thank you both enough for your expertise, knowledge, guidance and professionalism. Blackwood Family Lawyers are lucky to have you both!Cassandra, you have been amazing to deal with over the last 2 years. From our initial consultation you explained everything in detail leaving me with a clear understanding of my rights and processes moving forward. You minimised the stress by being intricate in your attention to detail and your ability to negotiate skillfully was paramount to the success of my outcome. Thank you again for your support. I highly recommend Blackwood Family Lawyers, especially Cassandra and Sarah.

The staff at Blackwood family Lawyers have always been polite, prompt and professional in handling my matter. They have kept me informed in a timely manner and have never failed in making sure I knew what was going on as far as finance was concerned or anything else. I’ve given them a 5 star rating because of their handling of my matter and would recommend them to anyone else

ReviewCassandra Selvaggio, Sarah Askin and Blackwood family LawyersCassandra Selvaggio is a professional, ethical, honest, efficient, diligent, caring, compassionate and empathetic family lawyer. She is a great communicator who explained things well and kept me informed every step of the way. She did an amazing job on finalising my property settlement and marriage breakdown. She consistently followed up my ex-partner and his lawyer for responses. She instilled confidence within me personally when dealing with the problems that were thrust upon me. She gave me strength and hope to continue in what seemed to be a hopeless situation. I felt confidence and trust in her that enabled me to persevere. Sarah Askin also did an amazing job at communicating information to me when required. She was trustworthy, professional, and caring with each encounter that we had. Blackwood family lawyers are a supportive firm who give their clients their utmost professional service and I recommend them to anyone who needs family lawyers with strong ethics who follow the letter of the law.Susan Hill

I was lucky enough to come across Danielle at a time when I needed her expertise the most. Her exceptionally clear, concise & efficient communication throughout my case, paired with her expertise in family law proceedings, her friendly demeanour & her ability to understand my needs made the process a lot less stressful than I had anticipated. Danielle and her associates were always quick to respond to my queries and always ready to accomodate my needs as best as they could. Getting a positive outcome to my case was the icing on the cake in the end! If you’re looking for someone you can trust to be upfront without being obnoxious, provides sound advice to keep you two steps ahead & someone who will stand firm on your instructions where possible, you’ve come to the right place.I cannot recommend her enough!Thank you so much, Danielle! X

The google reviews were what made me choose Blackwood to handle my matter and I am so thankful that I made this decision. My matter was complicated, emotional and gruelling, however Jennifer and her team were so kind and compassionate throughout the whole journey. They not only handled my situation in such a professional manner, but they really cared about my well-being and helped guide me to make the best decisions emotionally and financially. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without the support from Jennifer. I am extremely grateful and highly recommend this firm.

When you are going through one of the most stressful times in your life, you want to have the best people on your team to help you navigate through this and Danielle and the team at Blackwood Family Lawyers have been there for me.The service provided was unparalleled; expert legal advice combined with a professional and compassionate approach, all whilst having to deal with one very difficult and frustrating situation. There were times over my long association with Blackwood Family Lawyers, that other members of the team also stepped in to assist me and I received the same high level of care and attention – I am so grateful to you all.It almost goes without saying, Danielle and the team at Blackwood Family Lawyers come highly recommended by me, they are the best in the business.