Professional Experience
Catherine came to Nicholes in September 2017 shortly following her relocation to Melbourne from Darwin, Northern Territory. Catherine’s experience is in family and criminal law, and Intervention Order matters.
Prior to working in private practice in 2013, Catherine spent 12 months working as an Associate for a Supreme Court Justice following her graduation from Flinders University in South Australia.
Catherine relishes the opportunity to assist her clients in resolving their disputes, placing a significant emphasis on a negotiated resolution, however, is experienced in litigation.
Catherine is dedicated to assisting all members of our community access legal advice in their time of need, specialising in all aspects of family law including complex property, parenting matters and child support matters.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws & Legal Practice – Flinders University (South Australia)
- Admitted to practice in the South Australian Supreme Court
- Admitted to practice in the Northern Territory Supreme Court
- Admitted to practice in the Victorian Supreme Court
- Admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia
Memberships & Awards
- 2022 Doyle’s Guide – Law Rising Stars, Victoria
In the Media
June 2024
In the interview, Catherine reflects on the gender bias and gender pay gap challenges she faced as a young woman entering the legal profession – and the ways she worked to overcome these obstacles, often with the support of other women.
Catherine also reflects on how the pandemic prompted workplaces, including law firms, to consider more flexible working environments. As a working mother of two, she believes this flexibility is crucial as it allows parents to thrive both professionally and personally, rather than being forced to choose between career and home.
We invite you to read Catherine’s VWL Spotlight interview here.
VWL is the peak representative body for women lawyers in Victoria and works to assist female lawyers in achieving a satisfying, successful professional life, whatever their particular and personal definition of success might be. Nicholes Family Lawyers is proud to sponsor VWL.
March 2024
Creating Emotionally Safe Access to Family Law Services
Nicholes Family Lawyers Partner Catherine Giles joined divorce coach Sallyanne Hartnell in her podcast “Reflect, Reclaim & Liberate.” In this episode, Catherine and Sallyanne shed light on the challenges faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community when navigating separation and divorce and discussed the support available to meet everyone’s unique needs. Listen to the podcast here.
December 2023
Victorian Women Lawyers 2023 edition of Portia
The 2023 edition of the annual Victorian Women Lawyers (VWL) journal “Portia” has featured an event co-hosted by VWL, Nicholes Family Lawyers and The College of Law designed to raise awareness of family violence and recently introduced paid family and domestic violence leave.
The event, which was held in May this year as part of Victorian Law Week, commenced with a screening of the powerful and thought-provoking family violence awareness raising film “The Fort” by Voice of Change, followed by a panel discussion on new paid family and domestic violence leave.
The discussion was moderated by Nicholes Family Lawyers Partner Catherine Giles, and featured WIRE Chief Executive Officer Jade Blakkarly, K&L Gates Partner Michaela Moloney and Voice of Change Co-Founder, Director and Chairperson Shaynna Blaze.
You can read the 2023 edition of Portia here. Coverage of the VWL, Nicholes Family Lawyers and The College of Law family violence awareness raising event can be found on page 52.