At Wallen Family Law, we are passionate about supporting families with strength, empathy, and clear guidance at every step of the journey
Melody van der Wallen
Director and Principal Family Lawyer
Melody van der Wallen has over 10 years’ experience in the field. She began her career in property and commercial law before moving into family law where she has since practiced exclusively.
Her background in property and commercial law gives her a strong edge in family law property settlements, particularly those involving complex asset pools, businesses, and family trust structures. Melody is also an experienced advocate, having started her career in a litigation-focused firm. She has managed numerous matters through to final hearing in both parenting and property disputes and regularly appears before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Melody is passionate about family law because it is an area where she can make a real difference in her clients’ lives, particularly in parenting matters. She believes strongly in Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) and the benefits of resolving matters outside of Court. This approach helps reduce conflict, especially where children are involved, and gives both parties greater control over their outcomes.
Beyond her professional expertise, Melody is also a local mother of two young children living in Cronulla on the Sutherland Shire, having recently relocated from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. She understands first-hand the challenges of balancing parenting, career, and family life, and the emotional strain that separation can place on parents. This perspective allows her to connect with clients on a personal level, offering advice that is not only legally sound but also practical and empathetic.
Hayley Chandler
Law Graduate
Hayley joined Wallen Family Law in 2026 at the start of her legal career, bringing with her years of leadership experience from the corporate world. Having recently completed her Juris Doctor, she's swapping a career built on managing people and stakeholders for one built on helping them.
What she brings to clients:
A strong grounding in legal research and case analysis, built on a top-tier academic record across her Juris Doctor
The rigour and attention to detail needed to prepare accurate affidavits, correspondence and court documents, sharpened through years of high-stakes corporate reporting
A steady, discreet approach to sensitive client information, drawn from years spent managing confidential stakeholder relationships
Clear, calm communication with clients during stressful proceedings
“I've always led by helping people get to where they need to be, even through difficult periods. Now I get to do that for clients navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.”
- Hayley
Anna Attia
Law Graduate
Anna joined Wallen Family Law in 2026. She brings a warm, steady presence to clients navigating some of the hardest conversations of their lives, backed by a growing legal skill set and a long history of showing up for people in difficult circumstances.
Anna has completed her Juris Doctor at Macquarie University, following a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney. She comes from a background of having worked as a legal and front-end volunteer with the Refugee Advice & Casework Service. Before turning to law, Anna worked as a producer in broadcast news — writing, proofreading and preparing content to strict accuracy and deadline standards, a discipline she now brings to legal drafting and client correspondence.
What she brings to clients:
Trauma-informed care training (Blue Knot Foundation), from supporting clients experiencing homelessness, addiction and domestic violence
A steady, detail-focused approach to reviewing and preparing client legal documents
A genuine, unhurried patience with people who are going through a difficult time
“I've always wanted my legal career to be one centred on helping individuals. This innate passion for supporting people through deeply personal challenges is exactly why I'm drawn to family law.”
- Anna
Meet Melody van der Wallen