In-House Advocates
When a family law matter goes to Court, advocacy matters.
At Farrar Gesini Dunn, we know that strong advocacy is not just about what happens on the day of the hearing. It is about preparation, strategy and having the right advocate in Court to present the case clearly and persuasively.
That is why we established our in-house advocacy team.
Having an in-house advocate appear for you ensures that you have a confident and competent solicitor advocate who understands the litigation strategy, knows the file, and has worked closely with the lawyers running the matter from an early stage.
Our in-house advocacy team is led by Daniel Magnussen and Adam Bak, both experienced courtroom litigators at FGD.
Both regularly appear as solicitor advocates across a wide range of family law proceedings including interim hearings, urgent applications, financial disputes and contested parenting matters.
Daniel has particular expertise in parenting litigation and family violence matters. He frequently appears in complex and high conflict parenting disputes where careful strategy and clear advocacy are essential.
Adam brings exceptional expertise in financial litigation. He regularly appears in complex property disputes, particularly those involving businesses, trusts and sophisticated financial structures.
Together they lead the firm’s internal advocacy capability and work closely with the lawyers running each matter to ensure the case presented in Court is clear, strategic and well prepared.
Our advocacy team appears in:
- interim hearings
- urgent applications
- recovery/relocation order matters
- directions hearings
- mediations
- family violence proceedings
- financial hearings
If the matter is in Court, or heading there, we can discuss whether internal advocacy is the right fit.
Why brief internally?
Internal advocacy offers some clear advantages as opposed to briefing a barrister at the private Bar. The advocate is involved in the strategy from an early stage and understands the evidence, the issues in dispute and how the case will be run.
Our advocates work closely with the lawyers running the matter and, where appropriate, with FGD’s internal strategy committee to refine arguments and prepare the case thoroughly. This approach reduces duplication, streamlines preparation and allows for flexible fee arrangements, including fixed fees in appropriate matters.
Family law hearings move quickly. Judges expect advocates to get to the point. Our focus is simple. Present a clear case, supported by the right evidence, with a strong understanding of the orders sought and why they should be made.
We still brief barristers in lots of matters, and usually brief barristers for final hearings, but having some specialist in house lawyers who like going to Court, who are good at going to Court, and who will be completely aligned with the way your lawyer has prepared your case on the day of your hearing can be extremely advantageous.
Speak with us
If you have a matter listed for hearing, or a case that may require particular advocacy support, our team can discuss whether engaging our in house advocacy team is of benefit to you.
To find out more, please contact Daniel Magnussen or Adam Bak.
Daniel Magnussen
Family Lawyer
Daniel is nationally recognised as a leading family lawyer having won the Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30: Family Law Award. Daniel specialises in litigation and is a fierce and confident advocate in the Family Court. He also understands when to advocate for alternate dispute resolution and is trained in Collaborative Law. Daniel is highly skilled in: complex negotiated property settlements, pre-nups/binding financial agreements, high conflict parenting disputes and relocation matters. Further, Daniel is very experienced in family and domestic violence and regularly appears in the Magistrates Court. His strong advocacy in this space has allowed him to achieve positive outcomes for his clients.
Adam Bak
Family Lawyer
Adam joined the firm in 2006 and became a Partner in 2013. Having built his reputation as one of our best litigators, he has been recognised for several years as one of Canberra’s preeminent family lawyers. He is regularly referred new clients by people he has acted both for and against previously.Adam’s approach is assertive and proactive. He is outcome focused and not afraid to tackle apparently insurmountable challenges. He avoids inefficient letter writing battles wherever possible and is skilled at taking control of situations and setting the agenda.