Firm: Barkus Doolan Winning Family Lawyers
Accreditation: Accredited Specialist in Family Law (NSW & previously QLD)
Practice Focus: High-Value & Complex Financial Family Law Cases

About Paul

Paul Doolan is a Partner at Barkus Doolan Winning Family Lawyers and one of Australia’s most highly regarded family lawyers. With over 25 years of experience, Paul is consistently recognised as a national leader in high-value and complex family law disputes. His practice focuses on cases involving substantial asset pools, trusts, companies, partnerships, valuations, and matters with international elements. Paul’s strategic approach, technical excellence, and clear judgment make him a trusted advisor for high-net-worth individuals and families navigating some of the most complex financial proceedings in Australian family law.

Recognition & Awards

• Ranked Market Leader – Family Law (Sydney & Australia-wide) by Doyle’s Guide, 2015–2023
• Lawyer of the Year – Family Law (Sydney) – Best Lawyers in Australia, 2020 & 2022
• Pre-eminent – Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers (Australia, 2025)
• Leading – Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers (Australia, 2025)
• Pre-eminent – High-Value & Complex Property Matters (NSW, 2025)
• Best Lawyers – Family Law 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026

Leadership & Professional Appointments

• Immediate Past Chair – Family Law Section Executive, Law Council of Australia (Chair 2019–2021)
• NSW Solicitor Representative – Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia (2010–2021)
• Former Editor – Australian Family Lawyer Journal
• Member – NSW Law Society Family Law Issues Committee (2010–2021)
• Fellow – International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Board of Editors – Australian Journal of Family Law
• Co-Chair – 16th National Family Law Conference, Sydney (2014)
• Previously Legal Associate – The Hon. Justice Lindenmayer, Appeal Division, Family Court of Australia

Publications

Paul has authored and co-authored numerous leading texts and articles on financial and family law, including contributions to Chambers Global Practice Guides and the Australian Journal of Family Law. His written works have influenced both legal education and the practical development of complex financial law principles.

• “The Mischief Rule and Add-backs: A Critique of Shinohara,” Hon Michael Kent KC, Hon Garry Watts AM, Sydney Williams KC, Paul Doolan (2025)
• “Global Practice Guide for Family Law” (2024, 2025 editions, Chambers & Partners)
• “De Facto Financial Cases come to the Federal Courts,” Doolan & Nolan (2008)
• Author, “Advanced Financial Issues in Family Law,” NSW College of Law Masters Curriculum
• “Taxation Issues in Family Law” (2004), “Confusion Reigns Supreme – Big Money Cases,” (2006)

Speaking Engagements

Paul is a sought-after national and international speaker on financial family law issues. He has presented at every major Family Law Conference in Australia for over two decades, including keynotes and panels on complex property settlements, ethics in family law, trusts, international cases, and financial agreements. His most recent presentations include:

• “Trouble at the Big End of Town: The Family Law Courts and Big Money Cases” – TEN Gold Coast Family Law Conference, 2022
• “Ethics in Family Law” – 19th National Family Law Conference, Adelaide, 2022
• “Latest and Greatest Case Law” – Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia, 2020 & 2021
• “Trusts and Family Law” – National Family Law Conference, Melbourne, 2016

Public Profile

Paul has been profiled by The Australian as one of “Australia’s top divorce lawyers” (2023) and is frequently cited as an authority on high-value and international financial cases. His work has influenced major decisions and developments in the family law courts, particularly in relation to valuation, add-backs, and taxation issues in matrimonial property disputes.

Qualifications

• Master of Laws
• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Arts
• Accredited Specialist – Family Law (NSW and previously QLD)
• Admitted to Practice – Supreme Court of NSW, Supreme Court of QLD, High Court of Australia

Why He’s Different

Paul brings unmatched expertise, strategic intelligence, and composure to complex financial family law matters. His clients — from business owners and executives to global families — trust him to provide practical, results-driven advice with discretion and integrity. His reputation as both a thought leader and a practitioner ensures every case is handled with precision, professionalism, and insight.