Our team

Anthony (Tony) Black
Principal

tony@abfls.com.au

Tony is the Principal of the firm and practices exclusively in the area of matrimonial and family law including de facto relationship law.

Anthony Black was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1975. In 1978 he commenced private practice at Coorparoo and later at Stones Corner, as a Partner in the firm RG Kilner & Black. He spent 18 years in general practice, specialising mainly in civil litigation, family law, wills and the administration of deceased estates.

In 1996 he became a Queensland Law Society Family Law Specialist at the time when the Law Society first introduced accreditation in Queensland and has served as a member of Queensland Law Society Accreditation Committee.

In that same year, he moved his practice into the City from Stones Corner and began the firm Emerson Black as Senior Partner, to specialise in family and de facto relationship law, with an emphasis on dispute resolution.

Anthony has a wealth of experience having been in private practice for more than 30 years. He focuses on complex property matters, including the restructuring of corporate entities and family trusts, often required following a matrimonial breakdown.

Anthony has a reputation for adopting both a personal and pragmatic approach to solving problems and achieving expedient, cost effective and appropriate outcomes.

Anthony was a foundation member of the Brisbane Group of Law Firms practising in Collaborative Law.

Professional Legal Qualifications

Professional Organisations

Simone Barbour
Senior Associate

simone@abfls.com.au

Simone graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) and a Bachelor of Business (Managment) (with Distinction) from the Queensland University of Technology completing her course at the end of 2003. She was admitted as a Solicitor in December 2003 after completing two years of training as an Articled Clerk.

After her admission Simone was employed in a small general practice firm handling a variety of matters with a focus in the area of family law and since 2005 Simone has practiced exclusively in the area of family law in specialist family law firms. Simone has been employed with Anthony Black Family Law Services since its inception in October 2006 and was made a Senior Associate of the firm.

Simone provides advice in relation to all aspects of family law and regularly appears before the relevant Court for parties in the event a dispute cannot be resolved and the matter proceeds to contested hearing. Simone's work regularly includes negotiating and resolving disputes in relation to the care arrangements for children and property settlement (for both married couples and de facto partners) as well as representation in contested matters. Simone also provides advice and representation in relation to child support issues and domestic violence protection applications.

Professional Legal Qualifications

Professional Organisations

Elizabeth O'Flaherty
Associate

elizabeth@abfls.com.au

Elizabeth graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Accountancy in 2004. She was admitted as a Solicitor in 2007 after completing her Articles of Clerkship with Anthony Black.

Elizabeth provides advice in relation to all aspects of family law; however she has a particular interest in the area of children's issues.

Elizabeth is currently practising in the area of Matrimonial and Family Law, including de facto relationships. She also assists our Principal with the administration of deceased estates.

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John Frew
Special Counsel

john@abfls.com.au

John is a Special Counsel of the firm having become a part of the team in 2009.

Prior to joining the firm John had been the Family Law Partner at Biggs and Biggs Lawyers for over 20 years.

Before becoming a lawyer John worked in the Commonwealth Bank for 14 years and in the latter years of that part of his life was involved with commercial lending, leasing and complex security matters.

John graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1982 and was admitted as a Solicitor in Queensland in 1984. He has been an Accredited Family Law Specialist since 1996 and has previously served on the Queensland Law Society’s Family Law Committee.

John has experience in complex property and financial matters involving corporate and trust entities. He also has experience in drafting Pre-Nuptial and De Facto Financial Agreements.

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