Fiona Merrylees

Fiona Merrylees serves as a Director and leads the Family Law department at SMR Legal. With over 30 years of experience in various legal practice areas, Fiona brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. She began her family law career in 1994 under Suzanna Sheed's guidance. After a brief hiatus to focus on family, she resumed her practice with Suzanna in Shepparton in 2005 and was instrumental in forming SMR Legal in 2011. Fiona is renowned for her compassionate and determined approach to resolving family law matters. She advocates for amicable resolutions outside of court to empower families, yet she is an unwavering advocate for her clients when litigation is necessary. Her extensive experience includes complex multi-million dollar property divisions, particularly involving rural properties and inter-generational conflicts. Fiona's rural upbringing affords her a unique insight into the challenges faced by local families, allowing her to navigate these complexities with expertise. Beyond her legal practice, Fiona is deeply engaged in her community. She serves as the Deputy Chair of the Goulburn Valley Grammar School Board and was the President of her children's primary school. Her commitment extends to prior roles as Director of the Goulburn Murray Credit Union for over 15 years, and involvement with the North East Credit Union and Goulburn Valley Water. Fiona's academic background includes a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from The Australian National University, completed in 1990. Her professional journey includes tenures at Suzanna Sheed & Associates and Byrne & Clark, contributing to her distinguished career at SMR Legal.