Please attribute the following comments to Richard Harvey, President, Law Society of NSW:

The Law Society of NSW congratulates Kylie Beckhouse, Director of Family Law with NSW Legal Aid, and Federal Circuit Court Judge Thomas Altobelli, on their appointments to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Family Court of Australia, respectively. 

As the head of one of Australia’s largest family law practices and family dispute resolution services, Kylie Beckhouse has long been recognised as an expert in the field of family violence and how it is dealt with in the family law system.

Ms Beckhouse is a highly respected family law solicitor, known for her drive and interest in improving access to legal services and ensuring these services meet the needs of children, young people, and families. 

Her passion to assist some of the most vulnerable in our community has been a guiding force in her career and will serve her well on the bench of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. 

Ms Beckhouse, who currently serves on the Law Society’s NSW Family Law and Children’s Legal Issues Committees, will take up her position in the Sydney registry on 30 November 2020.

Judge Altobelli has also enjoyed a long and distinguished career in law, as a solicitor in both family law and civil litigation and more recently on the bench of the Federal Circuit Court, where he hears matters predominantly in the family law jurisdiction. 

Judge Altobelli is also accredited by the Law Society of NSW as a specialist in the areas of family law, children’s law, and mediation. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in family law to the Court. Judge Altobelli will commence in the Family Court’s Sydney registry on 23 November 2020.

These appointments could not come at a more crucial time for the courts as they work to overcome significant delays and backlogs in family law matters which have been exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions.