“Jacky Campbell is a founding partner of Forte Family Lawyers and one of Australia’s most distinguished family law practitioners, with more than four decades of experience advising clients on complex financial disputes and high-value divorce matters. Based in Melbourne, she is widely recognised for her expertise in intricate property settlements involving trusts, corporate structures and superannuation arrangements, as well as cross-border family law issues. A leading figure in the profession and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, Jacky combines exceptional technical knowledge with strategic, practical advice that helps clients navigate sophisticated family disputes with clarity and confidence.”

Fantastic Lawyers® Editorial 2026

Jacky Campbell is a founding partner of Forte Family Lawyers and one of Australia’s most respected family law practitioners. With more than 40 years of experience specialising in family law, Jacky is widely recognised for her expertise in complex financial matters, high-value property disputes and international family law cases.

Based in Melbourne, Jacky combines deep technical knowledge of family law with strategic, practical advice tailored to each client’s circumstances. She is known for building strong relationships with clients while guiding them through complex legal issues with clarity, precision and confidence.

Professional Recognition

Jacky is consistently recognised by legal directories and professional bodies for her exceptional expertise in family law.

• Leading Family Lawyer – Melbourne (Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Market)
• Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer – 2026
• Leading Family Lawyer (High-Value & Complex Property Matters) – 2026
• Leading Prenuptial Agreements Lawyer – 2026
• Recommended Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyer – 2026
• Best Lawyers Recognition – 2025
• Distinguished Service Award – Law Institute of Victoria (2025)

She is also frequently engaged as a single expert or adversarial expert to provide specialist opinions to parties and courts on complex aspects of Australian family law.

Areas of Expertise

• Complex financial settlements
• High-value divorce and property disputes
• Superannuation and defined benefit fund disputes
• Self-managed superannuation fund issues
• Bankruptcy and insolvency in family law
• Trust and corporate structure disputes
• Prenuptial and financial agreements
• International family law matters
• International child abduction under the Hague Convention
• Surrogacy and donor-related family law disputes

Jacky’s expertise is particularly valued in cases involving complex financial structures, corporate entities, trusts, taxation issues and cross-border assets.

Academic and Professional Contributions

Jacky is a prolific legal author and commentator, widely recognised for her contributions to family law scholarship and professional education. Her Master of Laws thesis examined the relationship between bankruptcy and family law, an area in which she continues to maintain a strong professional interest.

She is the consultant editor of Wolters Kluwer/CCH Australian Family Law and Practice and contributes to several chapters covering property, superannuation, spousal maintenance and financial agreements. She also contributes to the Australian Master Family Law Guide, the Australian Financial Planning Handbook, and the Australian Master Superannuation Guide.

Jacky frequently lectures and delivers professional training programs for legal professionals through The Education Network and other professional bodies.

Professional Memberships

• Accredited Family Law Specialist – Law Institute of Victoria
• Fellow – International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
• Associate Member – American Bar Association
• Secretary – Pensions Committee, IAFL
• Member – Asia-Pacific Chapter (AsPac Hour Subcommittee), IAFL
• Member – Maintenance and Property Committee, Family Law Section (Law Institute of Victoria)
• Member – Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia
• Member – Victorian Women Lawyers

Education

• Master of Laws – Monash University
• Bachelor of Laws – Monash University
• Bachelor of Arts – Monash University
• Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing – Deakin University

Approach to Clients

Jacky is committed to helping clients resolve disputes efficiently and strategically. While she is highly experienced in complex litigation, she strongly supports alternative dispute resolution where appropriate and frequently assists clients in resolving matters through mediation or arbitration before trial.

Her depth of legal knowledge—combined with a strategic and thoughtful approach—allows her to guide clients through complex family disputes while protecting their financial interests and long-term stability.