Meet the Team - Your Partners in Family Law Matters
Aishwarya Somal
Director / Family Law Solicitor
Aishwarya is with you for the journey, not just the outcome.
Adrian Jones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aishwarya Somal is the Director of Emerson Family Law, Emerson Migration Law, and Global Pathways Education and Migration Services.
She earned the Nick Xynias Lord Mayors’ Young Multicultural Businessperson of the Year award in 2020 and was recognized by the Queensland Government for her contributions to preventing Domestic and Family Violence, especially within diverse communities.
Aishwarya is deeply involved in Queensland’s multicultural community and is dedicated to philanthropy and community service. In 2022, she became the Senior Vice President – of Brisbane for Serving Our People Inc., a rapidly growing charity, and Vice President of the Women Federation for World Peace, affiliated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Legal Qualifications
- Registered Migration Agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) – RMA No. 1577017
- Solicitor, Supreme Court of Queensland
- Accredited Collaborative Law Practitioner and Family Law Solicitor
- Accredited Mediator
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (University of Queensland)
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law)
- Basic and Advanced Mediation Course – Family Law (Bond University)
Professional Memberships
- Member of the Migration Institute of Australia
- Member of the Queensland Law Society
- Member of the Queensland Collaborative Law Group
- Member of the Family Law Practitioner’s Association of Queensland
- Member of the Law Council of Australia, Family Law Section
Fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
We let our clients do the talking...
Peter L
2023-10-26
I highly recommend Gavin Lai from Emerson Family Law. He was very professional and responded to emails and provided updates quickly and efficiently. I would not hesitate to use and recommend Gavin Lai to anyone who requires his services. Thanks again Gavin
Neil Curtis
2023-10-21
The best family law firm in Queensland
Todd
2023-10-21
I highly recommend Emerson Family Law for family law matters, in particular Gavin Lai. Gavin was fantastic at explaining my options and breaking down the information in an easily digestible way. Gavin was extremely prompt at responding to my emails and questions and was an absolute professional and pleasure to have his assistance in my matter.
Anthony
2023-10-11
It is my absolute pleasure to recommend EMERSON FAMILY LAW, Gavin went above and beyond to resolve and finalise my divorce. Gavin is very easy to work with and will keep working on any issues no matter how significant. The staff at EMFL are fantastic, and everyone, especially Gavin, always keeps you updated. There is no need to look any further, I give the biggest recommendation a person can give. Call today and take the stress out of any situation. Thank you to everyone at EMFL and especially Gavin , very appreciated 😊
Tony Huang
2023-10-05
A family law firm that’s shows extreme love and care towards clients. Professionally handled, super responsive and promptly actioned. Special thanks to Gavin Lai, you are a friend for life 👍🏻
Phyllis Tonkin
2023-07-30
My family and I arrived on Subclass 188 temporary business visas in Dec 2016, in June 2020 we passed the Qld State nomination and due to Covid endured 3 and a half years of significant uncertainty and feelings of utter hopeless. I was introduced to Aishwarya and her team by the Small Business Association of Australia. We honestly and openly admit that Emerson Family law explored every opportunity to lobby at every government level to have our case looked at. Grace, Amelia, Aishwarya and Ben treated us with the utmost respect and patience. There were many tears and many days filled with significant mental dread of an uncertain future for our children and ourselves in Australia, this despite running a successful business and employing Australian workers. As it turned out our previous migration agent made an error on our submissions which caused our file to be placed on the 'too difficult pile'. With the perseverance of Emerson Law we were granted PR on 15 June 2023.If you are looking for a migration agent or lawyer to lobby on your behalf, I highly recommend this team of professionals. You will not be disappointed or kept in the dark. They will take your phone calls, answer your emails and give you hope in your darkest days.
Dale Barr
2023-07-07
Excellent service
Margaret Perkins
2023-06-14
Accessible, fast, attention to detail, quality legal advice in complex matters. Would recommend.
B Tyson
2023-05-15
Highly Professional. Outstanding customer service. Kind, caring compassionate. Prompt responses to any questions. I would highly recommend. Made what was a very tough time in my life just that little bit easier.
Gavin Lai
Special Counsel
I speak to many Law firms nationwide on a regular basis and Gavin definitely stands out amongst the best.
Lance Schultz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gavin is a seasoned Family Law Solicitor with over 18 years of experience, having worked with top family law firms in Brisbane.
Gavin specialises in:
- Complex parenting and financial cases.
- International family law, including Hague Convention matters.
- Creating financial agreements for all couples.
- Managing “big money” cases that involve restructuring the business, corporate, and trust entities.
He is a staunch advocate for alternative dispute resolution, resorting to court proceedings only when absolutely necessary.
Committed to community service, Gavin volunteers at the Caxton Legal Centre and mentors at both the University of Queensland Law Mentor Program and the QUT Career Mentor Scheme. He’s also a notable contributor to the Queensland Law Society’s “Proctor” publication. Feel free to look through some of Gavin’s publications here.
Above all, Gavin is a compassionate legal advisor, earning trust and referrals from a long list of satisfied clients.
Legal Qualifications
- Solicitor, Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor, High Court of Australia
- Justice of the Peace (Qualified)
Education
- Legal Practice Management Course, College of Law
- Bachelor of Laws, Queensland University of Technology
- Graduate Diploma of Professional Legal Education and Training, University of Queensland
Professional Memberships
- Member, Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
- Member, Queensland Law Society
- Member, Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland
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