Nicola Watts

Nicola Watts has cultivated a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades, with extensive experience across multiple Australian jurisdictions. After completing her law degree at the University of Tasmania, Nicola was admitted to practise in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and the High Court of Australia in 1993. She subsequently relocated to Melbourne in 1997, gaining admission to the Supreme Court of Victoria and practising in family law for 16 years before moving to Perth in 2013. Nicola joined O’Sullivan Davies in 2018 and was appointed a Principal in 2020. Nicola’s family law practice encompasses all areas, with a particular focus on children’s matters. She was among the first lawyers nationally to receive training as an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL), and between 1995 and 2018, she was appointed by Legal Aid in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia to act in this capacity. Her skill set is further enhanced by qualifications in mediation, collaborative law, and arbitration, enabling her to offer clients a wide range of dispute resolution options. Clients value Nicola’s ability to listen attentively and appreciate the unique circumstances of each case. Her quick comprehension of complex issues, combined with practical problem-solving, allows her to identify solutions that may not be immediately apparent. Nicola’s advocacy is marked by her extensive experience and readiness to effectively represent clients in court proceedings. Outside her legal practice, Nicola has a broad curiosity for travel, food and culture, and maintains a longstanding interest in horse racing, attending the Melbourne Cup Carnival annually for many years. She draws inspiration from those who find contentment in their lives regardless of circumstances. In addition to her legal work, Nicola holds significant leadership roles. She is the sole Executive Member representing Western Australia on the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, elected in 2016 and appointed Treasurer in 2021. Nicola chaired the organising committee for the Section’s 20th National Family Law Conference held in Perth in 2024. She is also Western Australia’s only female Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and contributes to the profession through service on Legal Aid’s Review Committee and as the Section’s representative on the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA.