Shila Batenburg - Principal
Shila graduated from Auckland University, NZ on 5 May 1983 with her law degree. She joined Legal Aid Queensland in 1984. She was admitted in ACT as a Barrister and Solicitor in June 1987 and in Queensland as a Solicitor in July 1987. She is an Accredited Family Law Specialist having practiced almost exclusively in family law matters since 1987 and is now regarded as a leading family law practitioner in Brisbane.
Shila offers a wealth of experience in family law matters, including property settlements involving at times complicated corporate and trust structures and issues of law, and likewise in parenting cases involving simple and complex family dynamics and issues, defacto relationship cases and mediation as well as court litigation. She has developed a deep understanding of clients’ problems and needs and the dynamics involved in their particular circumstances.
Shila offers a balanced, practical and considered approach to all matters undertaken by her. She prides herself in providing clients with an honest and complete picture of the pros and cons of a particular approach, as well as an understanding of the law and how the courts may approach their matter, before they make any decision regarding their family law issue. She encourages and ensures her clients make their own decisions after being fully informed about all the circumstances of their particular case and their options.
Shila is highly committed to negotiating and achieving settlement outcomes for clients where possible, however she is also skilled in litigation where court intervention is necessary. Shila has completed and obtained certificates in Mediation Skills and Collaborative Practice of Law.
She demonstrates integrity and excellent listening and analytical skills, together with an open and an approachable and a matter of fact manner. She is dedicated to performing her job with professionalism and sensitivity.
Shila is also on the select Panel of private lawyers appointed as Independent Children’s Lawyer in complex parenting cases. She is a Family Law member of the Law Council of Australia, a member of Queensland Family Law Practitioner’s Association, Women’s Legal Service, Women Lawyers Association of Queensland and North Brisbane Lawyers Association. She is also a secretary of the North Brisbane Lawyers Association.
In addition, she assists clients with wills and the administration of deceased estates.
Lindsey Miles - Senior Associate
Lindsey Miles was promoted to Senior Associate of sbA family Lawyers after joining the firm in 2006. Lindsey has practiced exclusively in Family Law and associated areas of law since 1998.
Lindsey commenced her career as a lawyer in general practise, exposing her to many areas of law, however always holding a focus on Family Law matters. This experience has enabled her to assist clients in dealing with a wide range of issues, including complex property and children’s matters.
Lindsey is a skilled litigator and appears regularly in the Family Court, Federal Magistrates Court and state courts.
Lindsey has been a member of the Independent Children’s Lawyers Panel since 2001, enabling her to represent the best interest of children in both complex family law and child protection cases.
In 2001 Lindsey was involved in the education of fellow legal practitioners with the introduction of the new Child Protection Legislation. As part of this role, Lindsey traveled to various parts of Queensland, conducted seminars via video link as well as partaking in Continued Legal Education.
In addition Lindsey has experience in representation of both applicants and respondents in domestic violence proceedings.
Lindsey has successfully completed a Mediation Training Course through the Queensland University of Technology and uses these skills in her daily practice. Lindsey is able to use these skills in assisting her clients to reach an amicable and cost effective resolution where ever possible.
Lindsey was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1981, after successfully completing the then Solicitors Board Examinations and 5 years Articled Clerkship. She is also admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of Australia.
Lindsey is a member of the Queensland Law Society, Family Lawyers Practitioners Association, Family Law Section of Law Council, Women’s Lawyers Association and is a volunteer at Women’s Legal Services.
William Schoenmaker - Senior Solicitor 
sbA Family Lawyers is pleased to introduce solicitor William Schoenmaker as being the latest appointment to its professional team.
William is one of our senior solicitors having 20 years of experience as a solicitor both in general practice and over the last 6 years specialising in Family Law. William’s experience extends to all facets of Family Law, including child related disputes and disputes in relation to property settlement, and issues concerning the complex area of child support.
William is motivated out of a keen interest to assist clients in the problems and issues they face by exploring all possible options available on an interim and final basis as a means of enabling clients to move forward with the prospect of resolving the issues in a timely and cost effective way. Dispute resolution by means of a negotiated settlement of the issues confronting clients has and remains William’s focus in any dispute as a preferred alternative to the lengthy and costly process of litigation through the courts.
Additionally William is also able to take instructions in relation to Domestic Violence matters as well as matters concerning drink driving offences. In his experience William has represented clients in both the city and suburban Magistrates Courts in connection with drink driving offences. Where applicable, instructions can also be taken to make an application in court for provisional driving licences, following drink driving convictions.
Of further importance are the legal issues of having an up to date will and Enduring Power of Attorney. William can provide assistance in these areas in the careful consideration of instructions and subsequent drafting and completion of these important documents especially in the area of Family Law where divorce and remarriage impacts these documents.
William is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association and devotes some of his time on a regular basis as a volunteer solicitor at the Caxton Legal Centre in New Farm. He has also spoken at community groups dealing with issues in relation to wills, enduring powers of attorney, and children’s and property settlements in connections with Family Law.
If you have a query in relation to any of these issues William welcomes your enquiry where you can anticipate being appraised of the law in a confidential, straightforward and friendly manner.
