Amanda Millyard

Amanda Louise Millyard is the founder and principal of Millyard Family Lawyers, a firm recognised in Doyle’s Guide as one of the leading family law practices in North and Central Queensland (2025). She has practiced family law in Cairns since 1997, initially undertaking her articles of clerkship before being admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1999. Amanda is also admitted to appear in the High Court of Australia. Drawing on a strong family tradition in law within Cairns, Amanda brings deep local knowledge and commitment to her practice. She is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law and has been appointed to Legal Aid Queensland’s Independent Children’s Lawyer and Separate Representative Panel, acting as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in family law matters since 2013. Amanda’s approach to family law is grounded in compassionate and professional client care, respecting the sensitive nature of family disputes. She works collaboratively with clients to develop and implement tailored case strategies, aiming for practical and positive outcomes. Amanda is experienced across negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, and contested litigation, always prioritising resolution and informed decision-making. Committed to ongoing professional development, Amanda regularly participates in continuing legal education and shares her expertise as a presenter and panellist at professional seminars. She also contributes to the local legal community by organising training events and liaising with the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland to support practitioners in Cairns. Amanda holds both a Bachelor of Arts (1999) and Bachelor of Laws (1997) from James Cook University. She completed a Collaborative Law Practice Workshop in 2012 and maintains active memberships with the Queensland Law Society, the Law Council of Australia (Family Law Section), the Family Law Practitioners Association Queensland, Queensland Collaborative Law, and the Far North Queensland Collaborative Law Practice Group. Her particular areas of interest include the drafting and negotiation of binding financial agreements to assist clients with significant assets, as well as understanding the role of personality dynamics within family law disputes. Amanda values the rewarding nature of assisting clients to move forward positively and balances her professional commitments with an active family life.