Farrar Gesini Dunn (FGD) was one of the first law firms in Australia to practice exclusively in family law.

Farrar Gesini Dunn (FGD) has been in business for more than 25 years, practising in the areas of family law, wills and estates, conveyancing and accounting with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

We pride ourselves on providing excellent and tailored advice to each of our clients. We do not adopt a one size fits all approach. We understand that going through a separation is daunting and difficult. We take time to listen to your needs and advise you about all of your options and help you to work out which process is most suitable for your circumstances. While we keep matters out of court wherever possible, when we do need to go to Court we are specialist advocates and provide strong representation.

We are in business to help our clients with compassion and innovation. We are progressive and client focused and we tailor our services and our costs to our clients’ needs. We are passionate about alternative dispute resolution and pioneered Collaborative Law in Australia.

For more information about Farrar Gesini Dunn (FGD) please visit our website https://www.fgd.com.au/ or give us a call to arrange an appointment.

Office locations:

Canberra (02 6115 9000) – Level 1, 10 Rudd Street Canberra City. Email: fgd@fgd.com.au

Melbourne (03 8376 7000) – Suite 3, Level 15/385 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000. Email: melbourne@fgd.com.au

Sydney (02 9045 2600) – Suite 5.01, 2 Bligh Street Sydney. Email: sydney@fgd.com.au

Our History

The firm commenced on 1 July 1995 when Denis Farrar, Olivia Gesini and Jim Dunn formed a partnership together with an associate lawyer, Ann Northcote, and five support staff. They established a premises in the Prudential Building, on the corner of London Circuit & University Avenue, Canberra City.  Due to growth, in April 1997 FGD moved to larger premises in the Colonial Mutual Building, 17-21 University Avenue, Canberra.


2007
Three of the partners opened an affiliated specialist superannuation and estate law firm called ‘Certus Law’.


2008
Consensus Family Lawyers was added as a secondary brand, emphasising alternative means of dispute resolution. Consensus was absorbed back into the FGD brand in 2012.


2011
The firm opened its first interstate office in Melbourne, headed by Sarah Keenan.


2014
The Canberra office relocated to the current premises in Rudd Street and became one of the first legal firms in Australia to embrace a paperless activity based workspace.


2016
Certus Law merged with Farrar Gesini & Dunn to become Farrar Gesini Dunn, the firm’s current brand.


2017
The firm opened premises in Sydney.


2018
FGD expanded to include a Business Advisory and Accounting division further strengthening our family law and estates practices.


2019
FGD relocated from the Double Bay premises to Bligh Street in the Sydney CBD.


2020
FGD proudly celebrates Silver Anniversary making 25 years since Denis Farrar, Olivia Gesini and Jim Dunn formed the partnership together on 1 July 1995.


2022
Hamish Cumming Family Lawyers a boutique family law firm in Sydney merges with FGD.

FGD launches an LGBTIQ Legal Service

FGD are announced as finalists in the ACT Law Society’s 2022 ACT Law Firm of the Year.


2023
FGD relocated from Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne to our beautiful new larger office space at Suite 3, Level 15/385 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Our Timeline

1995

The Beginning of Farrar Gesini Dunn

Denis Farrar, Olivia Gesini and Jim Dunn formed Farrar Gesini & Dunn.

2007

New Partners

In December 2007, three of the partners opened an affiliated specialist superannuation and estate law firm called ‘Certus Law’.

2008

Consensus Family Lawyers

Consensus Family Lawyers was added as a secondary brand, emphasising alternative means of dispute resolution. Consensus was absorbed back into the FGD brand in 2012.

2011

Melbourne Office

In 2011, the firm opened its first interstate office in Melbourne, headed by Sarah Keenan.

2014

Canberra Relocated

In November 2014, the Canberra office relocated to the current premises in Rudd Street and became one of the first legal firms in Australia to embrace a paperless activity based workspace.

2016

Certus Law Merge

Certus Law merged with Farrar Gesini & Dunn to become Farrar Gesini Dunn, the firm’s current brand.

2018

DPR Advisory & Accounting

FGD expanded to include a Business Advisory and Accounting division further strengthening our family law and estates practices.

2019

Sydney Relocated

In November 2019, the Sydney office relocated from Double Day to Bligh St in Sydney CBD.

2020

Silver Anniversary

FGD proudly celebrates Silver Anniversary making 25 years since Denis Farrar, Olivia Gesini and Jim Dunn formed the partnership together on 1 July 1995.

2022

Hamish Cumming Family Lawyers Merge

Hamish Cumming Family Lawyers a boutique family law firm in Sydney merges with FGD.

2022

LGBTIQ Legal Service

As part of our service, we seek to traverse the barriers facing the LGBTIQ community by providing a specialised service to LGBTIQ clients who are dealing with these issues or who would prefer to see a lawyer with experience in, and an understanding of, the unique issues and barriers facing members of the LGBTIQ community.

2022

ACT Law Firm of the Year Finalists

The ACT Firm of the Year recognises the efforts of local firms in contributing to access to justice, to innovative legal technology, to a healthy and diverse working environment, and for enhancing the reputation of the local profession.

2023

Melbourne Relocated

FGD relocated from Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne to our beautiful new larger office space at Suite 3, Level 15/385 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Awards & Accolades
Farrar Gesini Dunn has been acknowledged as specialists in both Family Law and Wills and Estate & Succession Planning by the prestigious Doyles Guide for the following accolades.