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Mary Louise Hatch is a distinguished Principal and Director with a comprehensive background in family law, mediation, and dispute resolution. Holding a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, and Master of Laws, she has built a career on the foundation of her early realisation that separating couples benefit immensely from guided support to protect their children's well-being during transitional phases. Mary Louise is a nationally accredited mediator with profound expertise in facilitating constructive dialogue between parties. Her dual role as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner enables her to assist families in resolving conflicts amicably and collaboratively without the adversarial setting of a courtroom. She is deeply committed to fostering environments where families can prioritise thoughtful decision-making processes. In her capacity as a Parenting Coordinator, Mary Louise further contributes to creating effective communication strategies and parenting plans that serve the best interests of the children involved. Her approach is characterised by empathy, patience, and a determination to minimise the emotional toll on families. Outside of her professional commitments, Mary Louise expresses her creativity through her passion for singing, a pursuit that complements her dedication to harmony and balance in all areas of her life.
Lecturer
RMIT University
Feb 2015 - Present • 11 years 9 months
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Relationships Australia Victoria
Jul 2014 - May 2017 • 2 years 10 months
Member
Victorian Women Lawyers
Oct 2013 - Feb 2015 • 1 year 4 months
Governance Group Member
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria
May 2013 - Jul 2016 • 3 years 2 months
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Principal | Director
Spectrum Family Lawyers & Mediators
Aug 2010 - Present • 16 years 3 months
Lecturer
College of Law
Jun 2010 - Present • 16 years 5 months
Past Executive Member
Womens Legal Service Victoria
Jul 2008 - Jul 2010 • 2 years
Lecturer
Deakin University
Feb 2004 - May 2008 • 4 years 3 months
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Equivalence, Law
RMIT University
2014 - 2015
Master of Laws
College of Law
2011 - 2013
Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution
Relationships Australia
2007 - 2008
BA LLB
Monash University
1981 - 1987
Last checked: 14 May 2026 • Checked with Victorian Legal Services
