Paul Fildes

Principal

Paul Fildes is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and has been practising exclusively in family law since 1988. He is ranked as a preeminent family lawyer in Australia, and one of only six preeminent family lawyers in Melbourne, by Doyles Guide 2023.

Our People

Bio

Paul specialises in complex property litigation, high net worth matters, cross-border disputes, prenuptial Financial Agreements, and restructuring family property in a tax effective manner.

He also has a special interest in international property and relocation cases, involving the adjustment and treatment of assets located internationally, including Asia, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Paul is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and has access to a wide network of family law solicitors and professionals across the globe.

Paul was a partner of K&L Gates’ legacy firm, Middletons, between 1993 and 2010. At the time he joined Middletons, it was a commercial and mercantile law firm which did not offer expertise in family law. Over the ensuing period of 15 years, Paul built a substantial practice as the head of the Family Law Practice Group, which he then merged with Taussig Cherrie & Associates in 2010, to become Taussig Cherrie Fildes.

Paul is a presenter of Case Watch on the Television Education Network which produces educational presentations and material for lawyers. He has published numerous papers and comments on current family law issues. Paul also regularly presents at seminars on behalf of various professional bodies on a wide variety of family law topics, with an emphasis on complex financial matters.

He is a qualified Family Law arbitrator and mediator, and is also a trained collaborative lawyer.

Paul was a former Chair and Executive member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria. He was previously the Victorian Solicitor Representative of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, and a former Chair of the FLS National Biennial Family Law Conference and on the Board at Relationships Australia (Vic).

2022 Year in Review: Christmas Musings 2022
2021 Year in Review: Christmas Musings 2021

Paralegal/Personal Assistant: Claire O’Hara

Awards & Recognition

2020-2021, 2023-2024 Awards

Preeminent - Doyle’s Guide Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – Australia, 2020-2021, 2023-2024

2019-2024 Awards

Preeminent - Doyle’s Guide Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – Melbourne, 2019-2024

2021, 2023-2024 Awards

Preeminent - Doyle’s Guide Leading Family Lawyers (High-Value & Complex Property Matters) - Victoria, 2021, 2023-2024

2019-2020, 2022 Awards

Leading - Doyle’s Guide Leading Family Lawyers (High-Value & Complex Property Matters) – Victoria, 2019-2020, 2022

2020 Awards

Recommended - Doyle’s Guide Leading Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyers – Victoria, 2020

2023-2025 Awards

2023-2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia for Family Law

Community & Professional Contribution

Presenter at family law Continuing Legal Education seminars conducted by Legalwise and the Television Education Network

Qualifications & Memberships

Bachelor of Laws (1981)
Bachelor of Economics (1981)
Graduate Diploma of Family Law (1990)
Accredited Family Law Specialist, Law Institute of Victoria (since 1989)
Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
Qualified Regulation 67B Arbitrator (AIFLAM)
Member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
Member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria

Testimonials

I would like to say a huge thank you for the magic that was done yesterday. I did not dare to hope that we would reach any form of agreement with the other side, let alone one that I am actually very comfortable with. So thank you again.

Testimonial 26

I wanted to thank you all for your support over the year, I am very grateful and happy with the outcome for the boys. This means so much to me and I know how much the boys would appreciate everything we have done for them. I feel so much better after a traumatic and stressful year, I am finally at peace with everything and have no regrets.

Testimonial 25

I'm deeply grateful for the calm and professional manner with which you have guided me.

Testimonial 24

Thank you so much for your "above and beyond" attention to this matter. I am very grateful to all of you for help to get this over the line.

Testimonial 23

You have a well-deserved reputation as being one of the leaders in the profession in the area you work in and I know that I was not an easy client to work for; but your skill and experience shone through when I was my most demanding. I will recommend you, without hesitation or reservation, to any friends and colleagues of mine who need advice in relation to Family Law matters.

Testimonial 22

You are amazing at what you do, your work ethic is exceptional and your unmatched commitment to supporting your clients is genuine. I can't thank you all enough, you have changed our life and I will never forget what you have done for us.

Testimonial 21

I just wanted to thank you all for helping me and the boys through this time and getting an amazing outcome for our family. You have been an incredible support and I couldn't have got through this without your help and guidance.

Testimonial 20

Thank you for all your work on this matter. It was an absolute comfort to have such great and competent people in my corner, and was very much appreciated.

Testimonial 19

Thank you so much for helping me through this very tough time, and hopefully aiding towards a new beginning of my life! I feel so grateful for your passion, dedication, professionalism and know that you will endeavour to have my best interests at all times.

Testimonial 18