WARATAH CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Claire Cantrall was admitted to the Bar in 2014 and is a member of the NSW Bar Association. Prior to coming to the bar, Claire was admitted as a solicitor in 2009 and practiced largely in the area of family law, working as both solicitor and solicitor advocate.
Claire has extensive experience in the Family Law jurisdiction, having acted for parties and children in parenting matters as well as acting in property matters. Claire has appeared before the Full Court of the Family Court of Australia, the Family Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the NSW Supreme Court and the Children's Court of NSW in various Registries.
Claire has appeared in country sittings of the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia throughout NSW.
Claire regularly delivers Continuing Legal Education in family law covering various legal topics, including presentations for the Law Society of NSW, the College of Law and NSW Young Lawyers Family Law Seminars and has contributed to the Council of Law Reporting for NSW Family Law project.
Claire was recently named by the Doyle's Guide as:
the Market Leader Family Law Junior Counsel in New South Wales
the Market Leader Family Law Junior Counsel for Parenting & Children's Matters in New South Wales
preeminent Family Law Junior Counsel in Australia.
Areas of Expertise
Family Law
Craig served as a NSW Police Officer from 2002 to 2011. His policing career provided him with invaluable experience dealing with family violence, post separation conflict and apprehended domestic violence orders. He acquired exceptional investigation skills during his service.
Prior to being called to the Bar in 2023, Craig was a Partner at a top tier specialist family law firm in Sydney, and a family law specialist accredited by the Law Society of NSW. Craig has been recognised in the Doyle's Guide as a rising star in the NSW family law market.
Janai Tabbernor was admitted to the Bar in 2019, joining Waratah Chambers as a reader with Chris Othen. She is a member of the NSW Bar Association.
Janai comes to the bar after spending two years as the Legal Associate to the Hon. Justice Ryan, Judge of the (then) Full Court of the Family Court of Australia.
Since coming to the bar Janai has primarily acted in a broad range of family law disputes, including complex property (including for third parties) and parenting matters, and advised and appeared in matters in respect of forum and jurisdiction. She has particular expertise in appellate matters from her time as a Legal Associate in the Full Court.
Janai has appeared in the city, suburban and regional Family Law Courts and Federal Circuit Courts, in cross-vesting matters in the NSW Supreme Court, the Children's Court and in NCAT matters in respect of Child Support. Janai also accepts briefs in the areas of employment, estate and family provision law.
Prior to her time as a Legal Associate Janai was a graduate solicitor at the Crown Solicitors' Office working in the Inquiries and Torts teams, and has worked as a paralegal at a specialist immigration law firm.
Prior to studying law Janai worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to various federal and NSW Ministers and Shadow Ministers.
Areas of Expertise
Family Law
Mary-Clare Kennedy was admitted to practice as a solicitor in December 1994, she practiced exclusively in family law matters prior to coming to the Bar in November 2009.
Mary-Clare was an accredited family law practitioner and specializes in parenting and property matters.
Mary-Clare runs cases at first instance in both the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia as well as Appeals before the Full Court of the Family Court.
She has experience and success in matter such as relocation, spouse maintenance, property settlement, Hague convention matters and all types of parenting matters.
Mary-Clare was recently named by the Doyle's Guide as one of the recommended Family & Divorce Law Junior Counsel in Australia.
Areas of Expertise
Family Law
Nick Bateman was called to the Bar in 2022. Prior to joining the Bar, Nick was a Senior Associate in a top tier family law firm.
During his time as a solicitor, Nick conducted complex litigation in relation to both property matters and parenting disputes. He also has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.
Nick appears in registries of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia around the country, as well as the Children's Court of New South Wales and Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Nick is recognised in Best Lawyers Australia 2024 and 2025 for his practice in Family Law.
Areas of Expertise
Appellate
Job Titles:
- Member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators
Peter is a member of the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators and holds AIFLAM accreditation as both a mediator and arbitrator. He is also a member of the Family Law Section of The Law Council of Australia and Chairperson and founding member of the Family Court Observation Watch.
Job Titles:
- Clerk
- Practice Manager
- Principal
- Clerk and Practice Manager of Waratah Chamber
Samantha Allen is the Clerk and Practice Manager of Waratah Chambers joining us with 20 years of experience in the legal profession.
Samantha is the principal point of contact for both solicitors and clients wishing to brief barristers at Waratah Chambers. She can advise on all clerking and practice management enquiries associated with the Floor, including availability and suitability of Counsel, specific areas of legal expertise and their associated professional fees.
Samantha is responsible for assisting the Barristers with the daily administration of their practices, including diary management and handling correspondence. Maintaining a strong relationship with our clients is an integral part of her role and one she has always enjoyed.