Our Team

Nicole Croft

Director

“I was drawn to practice law through a desire to help others. Being able to assist people through an extremely difficult and emotional time in their lives is an honour.”

Nicole graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2003 and successfully completed a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) and LL.M (Master of Laws) through the College of Law Australia in 2014. She was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2005 and to the High Court of Australia in 2008.

Nicole has appeared in the Doyle’s Guide multiple times since 2014. In 2019 and 2023, she was named as one of Western Australia’s leading family and divorce lawyers, and was also acknowledged as one of the leading lawyers in the parenting, custody and children’s category.

With experience in all areas of family law, including financial and child related matters, she appears regularly in the Family Court of Western Australia in complicated property and children’s cases and also instructs solicitor and junior counsel with many Perth barristers.

Nicole is also a trained Independent Children’s Lawyer and acts in this capacity in the Family Court of Western Australia and Children’s Court.

A member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA and The Law Society of Western Australia, Nicole served for eight years on the Council and/or Executive of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA, in the roles of Councillor, Secretary, Vice President and President.

Andrea Sassella

Director

“Our clients are often going through one of the most stressful and emotional times in their lives. We always keep this at the forefront of our minds and act with empathy and care. As lawyers, we’re not just here to provide legal advice, we’re here to deliver a service. My clients’ wellbeing is at the heart of that service.”

Andrea completed her Bachelor of Laws from Murdoch University in 2005 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2006 and to the High Court of Australia in 2011. She successfully completed a Master of Laws (Applied Law majoring in Family Law) (LL.M) with the College of Law Australia in 2014.

Andrea was named by Doyles Guide as one of Western Australia’s recommended leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in 2023, as well as Perth’s recommended Family and Divorce Lawyers in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also recommended in the parenting, custody and children’s matters category for 2020.

Andrea has appeared as Junior Counsel and instructing solicitor in a number of complicated children’s and financial cases in the Family Court of WA and in the Family Court of Australia.

In 2015, Andrea completed the National Training Program for Independent Children’s Lawyers conducted by the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and National Legal Aid. She became an Accredited Mediator with the Australian Mediation Association in 2020.

Andrea is a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA and has previously served as the Secretary, Treasurer and Chair of the Sponsorship Committee. She is also a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and Women’s Lawyers (WA). She is the current secretary of the St Mary’s Anglican Girls School Old Girls Association.

Andrea is also an active networker and is a former Chapter President of her award-winning BNI chapter, Western Edge.

Stacey Wellings

Director

“What brings comfort to most clients is the certainty of a positive end to their matter and the ability to move on. I enjoy helping clients reach a fair and equitable resolution as quickly and as cost effectively as possible, so they can look forward to a new chapter.”

Stacey completed a Bachelor of Laws and Arts from Notre Dame University in 2010 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2011.

Stacey joined the Carr & Co team in 2009 and became a Director at the firm in 2017. She practices in all areas of family law and has a particular interest in complex financial matters involving multiple corporate and trust structures and/or accounting and taxation issues. She has instructed Senior Counsel and appeared as Junior Counsel in a number of trials in the Family Court of Western Australia. She has also instructed Senior Counsel and/or appeared as Junior Counsel in successful appeals to the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia and the High Court of Australia.

Stacey has been recommended as one of Western Australia’s recommended leading Family & Divorce Lawyers in 2023 and in the leading family law category of the Doyle’s Guide each year from 2017. Since 2019 Stacey has also been recommended in the high-value and complex matter category.

Stacey is the current President of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA and the Deputy Chair of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Committee of the Law Society of Western Australia.

She was awarded the Family Law Practitioners’ Association Young Family Lawyer of the Year Award in 2016.

Catriona Kilgallon

Consultant

“I chose to practise law so I can help people resolve conflict in their lives and get through a traumatic experience as quickly and painlessly as possible.”

Catriona holds a combined Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. She completed a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) through the College of Law Australia in 2016 and is an Accredited Family Law Specialist.

Catriona has worked exclusively in family law since 2008. She advises and acts for clients in matters relating to children including suitable parenting arrangements and more complex matters such as relocations, recovery matters, domestic violence, child abuse, adoptions, and surrogacy arrangements. Catriona regularly provides advice in relation to property settlements (including complex matters involving businesses, trusts, self-managed superannuation funds, overseas assets, farming matters and international jurisdictions), spousal maintenance, child support and child support agreements.

She has been recommended as a leading parenting, custody and children’s matters lawyer in Western Australia by Doyle’s Guide in 2023.

Catriona has acted as counsel in many Family Court hearings and has appeared as either junior counsel or an instructor in trials in both the Family Court of Western Australia and the Family Court of Australia.

She has been an active member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia for the last five years, and was a member of Council from 2012 to 2014. She is also a member of the Law Society and Women Lawyers of Western Australia.

Hayley Ellison

Consultant

“I feel fortunate that I can form strong relationships with my clients while assisting them to become more empowered through the process. It is rewarding to achieve good outcomes for my clients as I am genuinely invested in helping them work towards better futures for themselves and their families.”

Hayley completed a Bachelor of Laws and Arts from Notre Dame University in 2010. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2011. In 2019, she completed a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) and obtained an LL.M (Master of Laws) through the College of Law Australia.

Hayley practices in all areas of family law. She has instructed both Senior Counsel and Counsel in a number of trials in the Family Court of Western Australia relating to both parenting and financial matters. She was named as one of the Western Australia Family Law Rising Stars practising across Family, Divorce, Parenting and Matrimonial matters within the WA legal market by Doyle’s Guide in 2018 and 2019.

Hayley is a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia.

Hayley Dodson

Consultant

“I understand our clients often feel incredibly vulnerable. I empower my clients by being accessible, encouraging them to make good decisions in their case and ensuring they are well-informed and feel in control.  I am open, approachable, non-judgmental and easy to talk to.”

Hayley holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia. She was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2010 and has worked exclusively in family law since that time.

Hayley accepts instructions in relation to property settlement matters ranging from straightforward to complex, including those involving third and related parties, corporate and trust structures, self-employed parties, and issues arising from taxation and bankruptcy.

Hayley routinely prepares Financial Agreements for clients entering, advancing or ending their marriage or relationship, as well as private agreements related to the support of spouses and children after separation.

Hayley also represents clients in disputes regarding care arrangements for children. She has considerable experience with disputes involving litigation, including national and international relocations, international child-abduction, and recovery of children. Hayley has acted in several matters involving children with complex health and medical needs, and children experiencing or affected by family violence. Wherever possible, Hayley assists clients to resolve parenting disputes by way of negotiation and, if appropriate, formal or informal mediation. Hayley regularly appears as counsel in family law litigation and as instructor in trials and appeals.

Hayley is a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia, Law Society of Western Australia, Women Lawyers Association of Western Australia and Family Law Section. She is also a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Western Australia with training in Collaborative Practice.

Camille Eckhaus

Senior Associate

“My favourite part of this job is seeing people walk away from all of this stronger and happier than when they started.”

Camille obtained her Bachelor of Laws with Honours and Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Monash University in 2012 and completed her PhD in 2019. She commenced work as a Judge’s Associate to the Honourable Justice Walters in 2014 and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2015.

Camille joined the Carr & Co team in 2017. She practices in all areas of family law, but has a particular interest in, and passion for, property proceedings.

Camille has instructed Senior Counsel and Counsel in a number of trials in diverse areas of law in the Family Court of Australia. She has a strong background in research and has worked with directors at Carr & Co on the preparation of research papers and submissions regarding law reform.

Camille is a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia and the associated Law Reform Committee, as well as the Law Society of Western Australia.

Maree Valentine

Senior Associate

“I love the concept of justice and helping vulnerable people achieve practical, efficient, cost-effective outcomes.”

Maree completed a Bachelor of Laws from Murdoch University and was admitted to the Supreme Court of WA in 2008.

She has worked exclusively in the area of Family Law and enjoys assisting clients from all walks of life, on a variety of financial and child-related matters.

Maree spent a period of time residing in the USA with her family, where she travelled extensively and volunteered as a Special Advocate for children in foster care, gaining insightful experience in an international legal system.

She joined the Carr and Co team in August 2022, and enjoys working collaboratively to provide clients with practical and effective outcomes.

Maree is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA and of the Law Society of WA.

Ilvana Arapovic

Senior Associate

“One of the most rewarding experiences as a lawyer is when you are able to resolve a matter for a client and bring closure to what is often a very difficult chapter in their lives.”

In 2017, Ilvana graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia the same year. She successfully completed a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) and obtained an LL.M (Master of Laws) through the College of Law Australia in 2020.

Ilvana is a passionate and skilful solicitor. She joined the Carr & Co. team in 2019 and has expertise in all areas of family law, including complex international relocation matters. In a previous case, she resided overseas for the duration of trial preparation.

Ilvana is a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia.

Caragh Morgan

Associate

“When clients first come to the firm, they often feel concerned and have anxiety about what the future holds for them.  I find the most fulfilling part of this role is assisting clients to break down the issues and being able to present them with options which lead to a resolution.”

Caragh Morgan completed a Bachelor of Laws from Griffith University in 2016 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2018. She also holds a Bachelor of Psychology from Murdoch University. Prior to commencing her career as a family lawyer, Caragh worked across a number of sectors including state government, not-for-profit and private business.

After Caragh was admitted to practice law, she worked for a law firm in Queensland and was mentored by an Accredited Family Law Specialist. Caragh joined the Carr & Co team in 2021 when she returned to live in Perth.

Caragh’s wide breadth of experience in both law and child protection means she can offer clients exceptional expertise and perspective in resolving issues relating to divorce, parenting, division of property and financial agreements.

Leon Belica

Lawyer

“The most fulfilling part about working in family law is helping people reach an amicable settlement. It brings a sense of accomplishment to not only help solve complicated financial and parenting matters, but doing it in a way that leads to positive interactions between both parties.”

Leon completed a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England in 2020 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2021. He joined the Carr & Co team in 2023.

Leon has worked primarily in the area of family law since 2019. Prior to joining Carr & Co, he worked at another family law firm where he gained valuable experience instructing Senior Associates and Senior Counsel in a number of trials in the Family Court of Western Australia involving complex parenting and financial matters.

Leon is a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia and Law Society of Western Australia.

Jacqueline Gilchrist

Lawyer

“There is always comradery and support from highly experienced senior lawyers, consultants and directors at Carr & Co. All clients receive professional legal services by specialised family lawyers. I am proud to be part of a team that delivers premium legal services.”

Jacqueline completed a Bachelor of Laws from Edith Cowan University in 2021 and was admitted in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2022. She commenced work at Carr & Co in March 2023.

Jacqueline brings a host of “real life” experience to her position, having previously studied an Associate Degree in Television Radio & Broadcasting at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and worked in a range of industries including media, hospitality, university, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, as well as being a small business owner.

Prior to officially joining the Carr & Co team, Jacqueline worked for two years as a paralegal for in-house counsel. An avid advocate by nature, her strengths in communication and negotiation are pertinent in achieving a just outcome for clients.

Abbey Ross

Graduate Law Clerk

“I couldn’t imagine a more supportive work environment than Carr & Co. This is a place that really cares and genuinely wants to improve people’s circumstances.”

Abbey commenced as a Legal Secretary at Carr & Co in November 2021, before transitioning into a Graduate role after completing her Bachelor of Laws degree. She is due to be admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2023.

Whilst undergoing her Practical Legal Training, Abbey has been exposed to both financial and child-related matters. Although she is driven to learn about both areas, she has a particular interest in parenting matters. Assisting separated parents achieve a child-focussed outcome reinforces her fulfilment in the family law sector.

Prior to commencing her career in family law, Abbey obtained of Bachelor of Arts degree from Curtin University and worked in Communications.