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Melanie Vairawanathan

Founder & Principal Lawyer

Melanie Vairawanathan is an award winning and nationally recognised family lawyer.

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Biography

About Melanie Vairawanathan

Melanie Vairawanathan is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Melmark Law, an award-winning boutique law firm recognised for its strategic, compassionate and results driven approach to family law.
Named Australian Law Awards Sole Practitioner of the Year and a Gold Winner of the AusMumpreneur Legal Services Award, Melanie has built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading boutique family lawyers. She has also been recognised nationally as a Women Changing the World Gold Award Winner, a Top 100 AusMumpreneur, and a finalist across numerous legal and business awards.
Holding a Master of Laws specialising in Family Law, Melanie practises almost exclusively in family law, representing clients in complex parenting disputes, high value property settlements, family violence matters and urgent litigation. She is also one of a select number of qualified Collaborative Family Lawyers in Melbourne, allowing her to resolve disputes through negotiation wherever possible while remaining an experienced and formidable litigator when Court proceedings are necessary.
Clients seek Melanie out not only for her legal expertise, but for her ability to bring clarity to some of life’s most overwhelming moments. She is known for cutting through conflict, developing practical strategies and providing honest advice, even when it is difficult to hear. Her calm, commercial and solution focused approach has earned the trust of clients navigating highly complex and emotionally charged disputes.
Beyond the courtroom, Melanie has become a respected voice on family law, family violence and access to justice. She is regularly featured across television, radio, podcasts and national publications, where she advocates for meaningful reform and greater awareness of the issues affecting Australian families. She is also a sought after speaker, mentor and industry leader committed to improving the legal profession and making quality legal representation more accessible.
As a mother and business owner, Melanie understands that family law is never just about legislation or Court orders. It is about people rebuilding their lives.
Her philosophy is simple. Provide exceptional legal representation, treat every client with dignity and compassion, and help them move forward with confidence toward the next chapter of their lives.

Awards & Accolades

Recognising a strategic, compassionate and results driven approach to family law.

Winner

Finalist

Leadership & Industry Honours

  • Women Changing the World Awards 2026
    • Global Ambassador
    • Judge
  • Connecting Lawyer Mums Inspire Awards 2025
    • Ambassador
    • Judge

Industry Recognition Lists

Other Accomplishments

Melanie has made a significant contribution to the legal profession and broader community by:

Founding Melmark Law, an award winning boutique law firm recognised for excellence in family law and client service.

Founding The Virtual Office, creating international employment opportunities for legal professionals while supporting Australian law firms.

Becoming one of a select number of qualified Collaborative Family Lawyers in Melbourne, helping families resolve disputes with less conflict and greater dignity.

Mentoring law students, graduates and emerging lawyers, with a strong focus on developing the next generation of legal professionals.

Championing innovation in legal practice through the integration of artificial intelligence and technology to improve client outcomes and access to justice.

Founding the No Place to Go initiative to raise awareness of family violence and support victim survivors.

Founding No Safe Screen, bringing together leaders from law, technology, education and business to tackle online harm, digital abuse and child safety.

Serving as an Ambassador and Judge for the Women Changing the World Awards and the Connecting Lawyer Mums Inspire Awards, recognising outstanding leadership and excellence.

Regularly appearing across television, radio, podcasts and national publications as a trusted voice on family law, family violence and access to justice.

Advocating for greater access to justice through innovative funding solutions and a commitment to making quality legal representation more accessible.

Using her platform to educate, empower and advocate for women, children and families navigating some of life’s most challenging circumstances.

Co-author of Resilience and Reinvention – Amazon #1 seller.

Media Appearances

Trust the family lawyer who business leaders, lawyers & the media get their advice from.

Melanie Vairawanathan: ‘Embrace flexibility and think outside the box’

Mastering the juggle of running a firm as a parent

How one Australian Lawyer is shattering gender barriers in the law

Melanie Vairawanathan: Family Law reform finally recognises financial abuse as a form of family violence

Melanie Vairawanathan: A trailblazer revolutionising Australian legal services for all

Trailblazing Melbourne Lawyer redefines legal work culture with groundbreaking firm focused on gender issues and flexibility

Melanie Vairawanathan saw firsthand how women were limited by traditional gender roles

How this firm owner is breaking traditional gender barriers

A survival guide for starting a business while growing your family

‘The reality hit hard’: Melanie didn’t want to choose between being a lawyer and a mum, so she created a solution

We’re divorced but my ex lives in the backyard. Here’s why

The Boutique Lawyer Show: Putting flexibility at the forefront of the business model

Trust the family lawyer who business leaders, lawyers & the media get their advice from.

Melanie is trusted by the media, her peers, and her clients to speak on complex and sensitive family law issues.
When the stakes are high, experience and judgment matter.
Posted on Google Google
Leni P
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When I suddenly found myself needing a family lawyer for the first time in my life, I honestly had no idea where to turn. I knew I couldn’t afford to get it wrong, I needed to find the right lawyer the first time because I had no time to waste. A colleague recommended Melanie at Melmark Law, and I trusted that recommendation immediately. They had already been through several family lawyers before ultimately finding Melanie and achieving the best results with her. That spoke volumes to me, so I called Melanie without hesitation, and I’m so glad I did. I genuinely cannot thank Melanie and Xara enough for everything they did for me during one of the hardest and most stressful times of my life. They were incredibly empathetic and supportive, but also extremely knowledgeable, professional and determined. They gave me the reassurance of knowing I was in very capable hands, and I never felt like just another client. They are damn good at what they do, and I’m so grateful I had them in my corner. Finding the right lawyer is so important, and I honestly feel incredibly lucky that I found Melanie and Xara. I would recommend Melmark Law without hesitation to anyone looking for a family lawyer. Thank you both for everything
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Brighley Dangerfield
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My absolute lifeline! After a borderline terrible experience with a previous family lawyer that milked 5 months of my time, I was recommended Melanie and her team who saved the day (special thanks to Xara too). Communication, execution, and timeliness were all exceptional. The whole Melmark team were on the ball to represent me and get the best outcome for my matter. Also, when I was emotionally exhausted and just wanted this over with (me ideating with compromising my worth), I had Melanie there to talk sense into me and be the voice of reason. If you ever find yourself in need of a Family Lawyer/Law firm, this is where your money is well spent - look no further.
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Akshit Bansal
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Exceptional service from Melmark Law. Melanie and Landi were incredibly thorough, responsive, and committed to achieving the best outcome. Their guidance and professionalism stood out from start to finish. I highly recommend Melmark Law and sincerely thank Melanie and Landi for their hard work.
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Cristyna Saab
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Melmark Law is not just another family law firm. I’m sitting back now reflecting on the one phone call back in March 2025 with Melanie that positively shaped my experience through one of the most difficult periods of my life. Not because of the things I attained, but because a process that could have felt so much more stressful was handled ethically, with professionalism, care, and genuine support by Melanie and her exceptional team. Their approach meant I could continue focusing on the things that mattered most to me throughout the process, particularly, remaining child-focused during an otherwise emotionally challenging time. All I could see was a strong group of women working incredibly hard while juggling the many hats that come with life. There was something about their approach that genuinely rubbed off on me in a positive way. They don’t just help you navigate the legal side of things... they make sure you feel informed, heard, and supported throughout the process. Their communication, responsiveness, proactive approach, and calm presence made an incredibly stressful situation feel far more manageable. I must say, there was never a moment in this journey where I felt like I was on the back foot. So, if you are looking for more than just another family law firm, I would highly recommend Melanie and her team at Melmark Law. They embody compassion, strength, transparency, ethical practice and professionalism, and I’m forever incredibly grateful for the support they provided to me on my journey.
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Sarah Burslem
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I cannot thank Melmark law enough for the compassion, professionalism, and support shown throughout such a difficult time. From the very beginning, I felt heard, understood, and genuinely cared for. Every step was handled with patience, empathy, and clear communication, which made an incredibly stressful process feel far less overwhelming. Their knowledge and dedication gave me confidence and reassurance when I needed it most. I truly appreciated the kindness, understanding, and strength from such an amazing team!!! I highly recommend them to anyone needing a family lawyer who is not only highly professional, but also deeply compassionate and supportive.

Book a free appointment with Melanie today.

Get clear advice before you make decisions you can’t undo.