You haven’t truly experienced stress until you’ve tried to manage a handover in George Street traffic during school holidays, with snacks spilling, toys flying, and two kids arguing over whose week it is with the tablet.

That kind of everyday chaos is just one piece of the puzzle when you’re navigating a separation. Between parenting schedules, communication breakdowns, and trying to keep things civil, the emotional load adds up fast.

That’s where the right lawyers make a difference. Someone who can help untangle the legal side of things while keeping the focus on what matters most.

These are the family lawyers who’ve built their reputation on exactly that.

1. Anita Chan KC

Anita Chan KC has earned a reputation for handling complex family law cases with precision, and her work has been recognized well beyond Dunedin.

She offers a full range of services in this area, including relationship property, parenting arrangements, and care-of-children matters.

Based on what I gathered, her practice often takes on more layered cases—those that involve both legal complexity and emotionally sensitive decisions.

One past client I spoke to had gone through a drawn-out separation involving significant assets. She described Anita as calm but firm in mediation, and said her advice helped cut through the confusion.

What also stood out to me was how her team operates. It’s a small, focused group, which gives the impression of a more streamlined process without the sense of clients being passed around.

And while Anita clearly has deep knowledge of her field, she doesn’t present it in a way that feels overwhelming. The feedback I heard pointed to someone confident, prepared, and effective without being intimidating.

That said, her level of experience and recognition can make the process feel more structured than some clients might expect, especially those looking for a more easygoing or collaborative setting.

Professional and ethical team

“The entire team at Anita Chan Family Law are professional and conduct themselves to the highest standard. The outcome for my case was achieved through diligence and fair play, which gave huge satisfaction at the conclusion of the case. I highly recommend this law firm to any prospective clients.”

• kate bruce, Google Review

Outstanding guidance

“Excellent guidance from the barrister Tammy Whalen.  Highly recommended A+++++ ..”

• Sam Neil, Google Review

2. Downie Stewart Lawyers

Downie Stewart Lawyers has been part of the Dunedin legal landscape since 1867, and that long history shows in how they approach family law.

Despite being one of the country’s oldest firms, they’ve managed to stay responsive to clients by keeping their team mid-sized and focused on service.

They’re especially known for handling complicated relationship property disputes, particularly those involving companies, trusts, or shared business assets.

One client I heard from dealt with a separation that included shared company assets and multiple family properties. She found the team, especially Bianca’s guidance, helpful in navigating the financial aspects.

She also appreciated that the team didn’t let things stall. They stayed on track and worked toward practical solutions without unnecessary delays.

What stood out to me was how often their approach is described as consistent and measured. They seem to maintain a structure without being rigid, and their expertise in both family and commercial law makes them a strong option for more complex matters. 

I also came across their involvement in the wider community, including programs like Moana House and their support for local legal education.

That said, it’s not as small as a sole-practitioner setup, which might mean slightly less one-on-one time with senior partners in some cases. For clients who prefer direct and ongoing contact with the same lawyer throughout, that’s something to keep in mind. 

Compassionate and thorough support

“From the moment we contacted Downie Stewart after the loss of our father we have received amazing service from Bianca Greene. She kept us in the loop and contacted us through every step of the way, even going above and beyond to personally ensure a family member not on the internet received documents.

Bianca made everything go really smoothly and we, as a family, are very grateful for her service during what was a difficult time for us all.

Bill and Karen McArthur on behalf of the McArthur family.”

• Karen McArthur, Google Review

Reliable support

“Downie Stewart have been helping our family with outstanding support for more than 40 years. During that time Partners and Legal Executives have all contributed to great advice and support. None more so than Bianca with her sound knowledge and expertise

Bianca is super efficient and will go out of her way to ensure the job gets done. Bianca is one of Downie Stewart’s Rockstars

Ken and Pam”

• Ken Wyber, Google Review

3. Staley Cardoza Lawyers

Staley Cardoza Lawyers stood out to me for their welcoming style and strong community ties.

The firm was started in 1998 by Susi Staley and Rachel Cardoza, who made legal history as Otago’s first all-women partnership. That legacy still stands out.

Many clients describe the lawyers as warm and easy to talk to, with a less intimidating atmosphere. They make it easier for people to open up, which is especially important in family law.

I spoke with someone who worked with them through a parenting dispute that had dragged on for months. She told me the team made her feel heard from the start and explained the options clearly without rushing through anything.

According to her, what helped most was how the lawyer kept things practical without losing empathy, even when conversations got emotional.

While they handle a broad range of legal services, family law still seems to be one of their strongest areas. This is reflected in the care and attention they’re known to give to each case.

That said, they don’t have the same national profile as some of the bigger firms. If you’re looking for someone with international exposure or broader recognition, this might not be the best place to turn to.

Exceptional support

“These guys are my heroes and my case complex as was my PTSD..a fantastic job by Amazing Grace and Rachel Cardoza..xx”

• Mary Wilson VOCALIST, Google Review

Excellent family law support

“Rachel Cardoza is a superb Family Law advocate backed up by a brilliant team.”

• Mark Ryan, Google Review

4. Wilkinson Rodgers Lawyers

I was impressed by Wilkinson Rodgers Lawyers’ ability to blend long-standing heritage with a collaborative, modern approach.

Formed in 2014 through the merger of two firms with roots in the 1870s, they bring a sense of local stability while offering a wide range of legal services.

Their work in family law, in particular, stood out. They offer a structured process, clear communication, and team-based delivery.

I was particularly impressed by how steady and well-organized their process appears. They’ve adopted remote-friendly tools to make communication more accessible, especially for clients who prefer not to meet in person.

I knew someone who had gone through a relationship property dispute involving a daily trust and shared assets. From what she told me, the team approach at Wilkinson Rodgers made a big difference.

Instead of working with just one lawyer, different people on the team stepped in where their strengths were most useful. She said the way everything was explained made the process feel manageable, and the communication stayed clear the whole way through.

That said, because their team works across many areas of law, they may not offer the deep specialization in family law that you’d find in a boutique firm focused solely on that area.

Consistently professional and caring

“I have had some dealings with Linda over the last couple of years and she is always very caring and knowledgeable, She just puts you at ease with her strong ability  and professional approach. I recently had dealings with a colleague of Linda’s and this experience was very similar. I guess its the culture of the company that encourages this environment. A pleasure to deal with.”

• Evan Rees, Google Review

Supportive and communicative

“Charles Darling is a great lawyer who really cares about his clients. Communication is great and made this a relatively painless process”

• Anna Rose, Google Review

5. Webb Farry Lawyers

Webb Farry Lawyers stood out to me for how they handle family law—not with pressure or legal jargon, but with a calm, solution-focused approach.

Their team puts real effort into helping clients manage emotionally charged situations, like separations or parenting disputes, without letting things spiral.

Someone I spoke to had worked with them on a particularly complicated separation that involved property overseas. They said Webb Farry’s team walked them through everything clearly and without judgement. 

From what I could tell, the lawyers are both technically sharp and easy to talk to—an ideal balance in family law.

What also caught my attention was their range. They don’t just stick to standard parenting and property cases. They also handle post-mortem family claims, welfare guardianship, and cross-border legal issues.

Still, they might not be the most cost-effective choice for simple matters. If someone only needs a basic will or minor agreement, the price could feel a bit steep compared to smaller firms.

Kind, professional staff

“Wonderful, kind, and professional staff. Recommended law practice.”

• Susan Elbers, Google Review

Friendly, professional service

“Thank-you Tom Clout and Simon Eton for your friendly and professional services that we received recently.  We will gladly use your services again in the future,  should the need arise.”

• Jacqui Whibley, Google Review

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