Ian Shann’s leadership of Slater & Gordon’s national Family Law practice is informed by personal experience of separation and more than 20 years as a family lawyer in the Family Court.
Ian advises on matters ranging from property settlements, children and parenting issues and child support, to financial agreements, intervention and protection orders, and overseas abduction of children. He has acted for clients with assets ranging from billions of dollars to scant little. His preference is to be involved in settlements not arguments and to resolve rather than prolong disputes. Ian believes that a family lawyer’s role is to solve problems not become part of them.
Ian is also committed to providing value for his clients, not simply having them pay for the hours he works. That is why he has been instrumental in introducing a fixed fee regime right across the spectrum of Family Law matters at Slater & Gordon.
Expertise
- Property and financial matters, including financial agreements, property settlements and superannuation
- Children’s matters
- Child Support
- Costs and legal fees in Family Law
Career history
- since July 2010 Slater & Gordon (national practice group leader)
- 2009 – 2010 Taussig Cherrie Lawyers (family law consultant)
- 2008 – 2009 Shann Consulting – Planning, Mediation & Arbitration
- 1996 – 2008 Shann Family Lawyers, Perth WA (principal)
- 1991 – 1996 Disspain Solicitors, Perth WA (principal, family law)
Professional qualifications & admissions
- 2009: Re-admitted Supreme Court of Victoria
- 2008: National Accredited Mediator
- 2004: Family Law Accredited Arbitrator (WA)
- 1997: Accredited Family Law Specialist
- 1995: Accredited Children’s Representative
- 1994: Admitted High Court of Australia
- 1992: Admitted Supreme Court of Western Australia
- 1974: Admitted Supreme Court of Victoria
- 1973: Bachelor of Law (Honours), Australian National University, Canberra
- 1972: Bachelor of Arts, Australian National University, Canberra
Memberships & associations
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Family Law Section of Law Council of Australia
- Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators & Mediators
Publications
Know Where You Stand: Slater & Gordon’s Guide to Family Law— to be published September 2011