Kristie Smith

Kristie Smith is the Legal Practice Director at Meillon & Bright Legal, offering comprehensive family law services across Western Australia and New South Wales. Since commencing her legal career in 2009, Kristie has devoted her practice exclusively to family law, building a broad and in-depth understanding of its many facets. Kristie’s professional journey began at the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia in Canberra, where she developed insights into the intersection of policy and legal practice. She then joined a prominent family law firm in Canberra, working with both private and public clients. This experience expanded her knowledge in areas including government entitlements, defence benefits, superannuation, and pensions. In 2012, Kristie moved to Perth and became part of one of the city’s largest family law practices. During this time, she collaborated closely with senior counsel and gained significant litigation experience, particularly involving complex parenting and property disputes. Her extensive courtroom work has seen her regularly act as Counsel in the Family Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and the Family Court of Western Australia. Kristie provides advice and legal representation across the full spectrum of family law matters. She frequently handles intricate property cases involving multiple corporate structures, trusts, taxation issues, and self-managed superannuation funds. Kristie has developed a particular interest in matters related to farming enterprises and the challenges of multi-generational ownership arrangements. Her experience also encompasses complex parenting disputes, where she has acted as an Independent Children’s Lawyer representing vulnerable children in court proceedings. Kristie routinely appears in cases involving relocation, high-conflict family situations, and detailed parenting issues such as name changes, travel arrangements, and educational concerns. Her approach prioritises reducing conflict and ensuring outcomes that support the best interests and welfare of children.