Partners Julian Barry and Tessa Czislowski have a combined 95 years of living in the Top End of the Northern Territory and Central Australia. Although most of our clients are based in Darwin, we have strong working relationships with clients in areas across the Territory, including Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and other remote locations. We can meet you face to face during usual office hours or at other times. We also act for clients who are not located in the Northern Territory.
We are set up to communicate however you choose – we have developed strong working relationships with our rural clients using phone, email, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other electronic communication. We have travelled widely throughout the Territory as well and we understand the needs of people who live on both sides of the Berrimah line.
We represent a diverse cross section of the community including other lawyers, trades people, politicians, miners, doctors, academics, nurses, labourers, public servants, police, ADF, small business to medium sized business owners, clients with complex financial and corporate structures, remote community workers, LGBTIQA+, Indigenous people, persons who speak English as a second language, and others.
Darwin Family Law was established in 2013 by Julian Barry and Julie Franz, primarily as a family law practice. As the firm grew, so did the criminal law practice. We saw the benefits in being able to provide our clients with other important legal services, such as conveyancing, preparing their wills and assisting with estate planning. In 2022, Tessa Czislowski joined the firm as a Partner, further expanding our family law practice. In January 2024, Julie was appointed as a Judge, leaving a legacy at Darwin Family Law with her extensive knowledge and experience in crime and family law.