Our Team

Principal

Kate Rafton

Kate has focussed on the field of family law since her admission as a solicitor, and has worked for law firms in both Penrith and Parramatta. Before establishing her own practice, Kate was a Partner with a well-known family law firm in the region and gained significant experience dealing with the full range of family-law issues.

In 2007 Kate became a NSW Law Society accredited specialist in family law, making her one of the very few female accredited specialists in the Hawkesbury region. In 2009 she also became an accredited specialist in children’s law.

Kate lives in the Hawkesbury area with her two children. She is committed to helping the local community and providing the best possible service in the area. Her approach is to treat clients as people first and to understand their individual problems and needs, allowing her to obtain the best possible results for them in a family law matter.

In addition to her legal qualifications, Kate also has a nursing degree and a background in health and management. Throughout her legal career she has maintained a strong association with the Western Sydney Area Health Service and her experience dealing with patients in crisis gives her a deeper insight into dealing with the trauma and emotional upheaval that can accompany family breakdown.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
Grad Dip in Legal Practice
Grad Cert in Health Management
Masters in Nursing (Critical Care)
Accredited Specialist – Family Law
Accredited Specialist – Children’s Law

Memberships

Law Society of NSW
Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia
NSW Young Lawyers Family Law Committee
Women Lawyers NSW
Management Committee, Hawkesbury
Community Legal Centre
Women on Boards
NSW Nurses Association
Australian College of Critical Care Nurses

Special Counsel

Maurice Edwards

With over 40 years family law experience, Maurice brings a wealth of specialist knowledge to the firm.  He is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Law Society of NSW) an Accredited Family Law Mediator (AIFLAM), a Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (A.G.Department) and a trained Collaborative Lawyer.  Maurice leads the firm’s arbitration and mediation practice RAMP.
Maurice obtained mediation qualifications both at Bond University and with the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators (AIFLAM).  He trained overseas with judges and other lawyers in the mediation of international child abduction matters and has for many years assisted in the assessment process for newly accredited mediators.  He has conducted hundreds of mediations over the years and presented on the topic of mediation in family law at seminars and conferences.
In the family law arbitration space Maurice is one of Australia’s leading family law arbitrators.  He has issued many Arbitral Awards and Determinations and has also presented on the topic of family law arbitration at numerous seminars and conferences.
Maurice has also presented papers on Binding Financial Agreements.  The Hague Child Abduction and Hague Child Protection Conventions and Childhood Gender Dysphoria.
Maurice is committed to the task of resolving family law disputes through collaboration, mediation or arbitration.  He has often said “When delivering family law outcomes, just a scent of collaboration, or sample of mediation or even a serve of arbitration, is worth so much more than a smorgasbord of litigation.”

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of of Arts

Memberships

Accredited Specialist Family Law
Nationally Accredited Arbitrator
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Mediator
Collaborative Law Practitioner
Treasurer/Board Member of AIFLAM
International Bar Association (IBA)
International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Pacifica Congress
Law Council of Australia (Family Law Section)
Parramatta Law Society
Greater West Family Law Practitioners Association

 

Special Counsel | Accredited Family Law Specialist

Menaka Prasad

✔ Accessible family law expertise that helps you focus on the now and the future.

Family law isn’t just about resolving disputes—it’s about setting yourself and your children up for a better future.

Menaka was admitted as a solicitor in 2013 and has worked exclusively in family law since her admission. For the last 8 years, Menaka has been guiding families across Macarthur, Narellan, and Western Sydney through post-separation parenting and property matters.

As an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (a qualification held by fewer than 5% of NSW lawyers) and background in psychology, Menaka brings her advanced understanding of conflict and relationships to provide clear, strategic, and compassionate legal support for families facing:

• High-conflict disputes including when the other party is uncooperative, manipulative, aggressive and where family violence is an issue.
• Parenting disputes where safety, substance abuse, or mental health concerns require careful assessment.
• Property settlements that balance financial security with commercial practicality.
• Budget constraints especially when Legal Aid isn’t an option, to ensure you can access high-quality legal advice that considers your economic circumstances.

✔ Advice & legal approach tailored to your long-term goals

From the very start, Menaka works with you to assess what matters most, to define a clear path forward and develop a strategy that aligns to these priorities.

This might mean:

• Minimising conflict today to improve the ability to cooperative co-parent with your ex-partner in the long-term.
• Freezing or obtaining disclosure of assets to secure a fair financial settlement for your long-term stability.
• Taking decisive legal action to protect you and/or your child/ren’s safety and

✔ Skilled negotiator and litigator – ready to settle or advocate for your best interest.

Where possible, Menaka resolves disputes outside of court, using negotiation and mediation to reach practical, cost-effective solutions.

However, when court proceedings are necessary, Menaka’s specialist expertise and strong advocacy ensures clients are well-represented.

✔ Guiding you through separation with clarity, confidence, and care

When facing separation, the decisions you make today shape you and your family’s future.

Menaka is here guide you through with emotional sensitivity and family law expertise.

Take the first step now and book an appointment with Menaka >>HERE<<

Qualifications

Accredited Specialist in Family Law
Bachelor of Laws
ABachelor of Arts (Psychology)

Memberships

Law Council of Australia – Family Law Section
Law Society of NSW
Women Lawyers NSW

Senior Solicitor

Wills and Estates Team

Alyssa Primiano

Alyssa was admitted to the High Court and Supreme Court of NSW in 2013. She has practiced exclusively in wills and estates since that time in offices across Sydney. Alyssa has a specific expertise in contested estate litigation and extensive experience in this area.
Prior to joining the Rafton Family Lawyers wills and estates team, Alyssa worked at a specialist boutique wills and estates firm in the Eastern Suburbs. During her 4 years there she undertook work in the litigation team, with matters involving applications in the Supreme Court of NSW for complex contested estates and other estate litigation.
Alyssa lives near the Hawkesbury office with her Husband and two young children. She loves assisting clients with estates work including wills and estates planning as well as offering her specific expertise in litigation matters. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family.

Memberships

Law Society of NSW

Senior Solicitor

Lara Menon

Lara is a Senior Solicitor working in Family and Criminal Law.  Prior to joining Raton’s, Lara gained over 10 years’ experience in the legal arena as an Associate in the Coroners Court of NSW and also in medium sized law firms in the South Western Sydney area.  Her experience working for the Department of Justice has given her a unique insight into the workings of the NSW Court System.

Lara worked in the corporate area before completing her law studies and travelled extensively both Nationally and Internationally, dealing with business and corporate clients before returning to start a family.

Lara is admitted to practice as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia. She has also completed her specialist training in Collaborative Law and is qualified as a Collaborative Family Lawyer.

Throughout her career, Lara has exclusively worked in Family and Criminal Law and is passionate about assisting families in their time of need. Lara is focussed on the swift resolution of her client’s legal matters, allowing them to move on with their lives while consistently obtaining favourable outcomes. Lara is a fierce advocate in and out of the Courtroom, persistently and diligently fighting for the best possible outcome for her clients. Lara has an empathetic and pragmatic approach, ensuring that her clients feel comfortable and cared for during each stage of their matter.

Memberships

Law Society of NSW
Law Council
Narellan Business Chamber

Special Counsel

Holly Lynch

Holly is currently employed as Special Counsel in the Family Law Team at Rafton Family Lawyers in the Richmond office. 

Prior to joining our team at Richmond, Holly has over 10 years’ experience in family law in medium-sized and boutique firms in Sydney and the Central Coast.

Holly prides herself on her easy-going nature and is known for her direct and practical advice. She is a passionate advocate for mental health both within her work, her community volunteer work and in her further studies in the area.

Holly has extensive experience advising clients on mediations, divorce, parenting arrangements, relocation cases, property matters, consent order applications, joinder applications, spousal maintenance, child support agreements, Binding Financial Agreements and LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse relationship issues. Holly’s unique background with further study of psychology places her in a unique position to understand and deal with matters that involve complex mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction and family violence.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Communications (Journalism)
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

Senior Solicitor

Jessica Strangio

Jessica has practised solely in family law since 2018.

Having worked across greater Sydney and Wollongong, Jessica has developed a deep understanding of the various complexities and emotions that are often coupled with family law disputes. Jessica is patient, practical and pragmatic in her advice to clients and has extensive experience working across a broad range of matters, including complex parenting, property, spousal maintenance, child support and divorce issues.

Jessica is conscious of each of her clients individual needs and works with them to create strategies that are resolution focussed. Jessica’s goal for her clients is to ensure they can move forward from a separation with as little angst, expense and stress as possible.
Jessica was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and High Court of Australia in 2018, having appeared in various matters before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

When Jessica is not advocating for her clients, she likes to wind down by heading out to the south coast or finding the best dumpling and wonton bar in Sydney.

Contact Jessica today for an initial consultation to discuss your family law related enquiries.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) 2017
Bachelor of Communications and Media (BCM) 2017
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practise (GDLP)

Memberships

Law Society of NSW
Law Society of NSW

Practice Manager/Senior Paralegal

Diane Elven

Diane commenced working at Rafton Family Lawyers in January 2024 and is employed as a Senior Paralegal and is our firms Practice Manager.

Diane has over 20 years’ experience working in law and is excited about being part of our team.  Diane began her career with a small law firm in Pennant Hills, followed by 2 medium sized law firms in Parramatta, working in Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.  Diane lives in the local area and particularly enjoys working in Family Law, interacting with and assisting clients as they navigate the emotional and stressful challenge of dealing with their Family Law issues.  Diane is our first point of call for new clients and general enquiries. She is based at our Richmond office.

 

Business Development Officer

Rhonda Hanbury

Rhonda is our intake and business development Officer operating across the firm. She is often the first point of contact for clients or businesses.

Prior to joining Raftons, Rhonda worked as the office manager for our local State MP for 13 years. She has an in-depth knowledge of Western Sydney and is well connected in our local community.

 

Senior Paralegal Wills and Estates

Gabriella Fenech

Gabriella has over 35 years of experience as a paralegal. Prior to joining the Rafton family, she worked in the Parramatta area. Gabriella specialises in Estate Planning and Deceased Estates. She enjoys working with clients and her caring attitude helps assists clients during difficult times as they navigate Probate and Estate administration. Gabriella also has extensive experience in conveyancing and commercial leasing.  She keeps herself up to date with the latest processes and procedures for both estate and conveyancing matters. 

 

Administrative Support

Ashlee Morris

Ashlee joined Rafton Family Lawyers in 2015 as the firms receptionist at our Parramatta office. Since this time has gained a wide range of experience in the area of Family Law and Care and Protection. Ashlee has taken on a wide range of responsibilities, including: client liasion, assisting solicitors and general administration.

Ashlee provides assistance to clients and is always ready to assist with any queries to ensure that clients proceedings are conducted with efficency. Ashlees warm and patient approach allows clients a certain level of comfortability.

Senior Paralegal

Jo Scott

Jo commenced working at Rafton Family Lawyers in November 2009 as a senior paralegal.

Jo has been employed in the legal profession for 49 years and during that time she has worked in all areas of law including Personal Injury, Conveyancing, Commercial, Criminal and Family Law. Since 1984 Jo has focused solely on Family Law working in the Penrith area as a Senior Secretary for the majority of this time.

Jo’s experience, efficiency and professionalism is valued by clients and members of the Legal Profession and further her understanding and experience of the Family Law system ensures that all work is carried out expediently and in compliance with the Court processes and procedures.

Administration

Julia Houchin

Julia works as an administration assistant at our Richmond office. She helps our solicitors and staff with the day to day tasks including our mail and banking. Julia lives in the Hawkesbury area with her family.

Julia enjoys working with the team at Raftons’ and helping clients in their time of need. You will see Julia driving around the Hawkesbury area in her little Raftons’ Kia car so make sure you give her a wave.

Paralegal

Alicia Wenban