Robert Priest is an experienced lawyer, accredited mediator, and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with a distinguished career spanning private legal practice, dispute resolution, and strategic advisory work.

Robert has practised across a broad range of legal areas; however, he was drawn back to family law after having experienced the family law system personally. That experience now underpins his practice. It has given him a deep appreciation of the emotional, financial, and psychological impact that family law proceedings can have on individuals and children, and has shaped his calm, considered, and outcomes-focused approach to advising clients through what are often the most difficult periods of their lives.

He brings to his family law practice a rare combination of technical legal expertise, strategic clarity, and empathy, allowing him to provide advice that is both legally rigorous and acutely attuned to the human realities of separation, parenting disputes, and property division. Robert is particularly skilled at navigating high-conflict matters, complex parenting arrangements, and cases involving power imbalances, family violence considerations, or entrenched disputes.

As an accredited mediator and FDRP, Robert has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution and is a strong advocate for resolving matters outside the courtroom wherever appropriate. He is known for his ability to de-escalate conflict, identify practical solutions, and guide parties toward durable agreements that prioritise the best interests of children while protecting his clients’ legal and financial positions.

Robert is widely regarded for his professionalism, discretion, and clear communication style. Clients value his ability to provide direct, realistic advice while maintaining a steady and reassuring presence throughout the legal process. He is committed to delivering outcomes that are not only legally sound, but sustainable and fair, recognising that family law outcomes shape lives long after proceedings conclude.