OUR FAMILY LAW TEAM
A select team of family lawyers
Michael Klimek
Separation is usually an unpleasant and inconvenient life event which often causes much uncertainty and anxiety about the present and future. It mainly casts doubt over what will happen to your children’s care arrangements and your assets. My personal and practical approach helps people to address and resolve their concerns about separation with straightforward and pragmatic solutions.
I have been working in family law since January 2006, was admitted to practice on 5 June 2015, and opened my boutique firm as a sole practitioner on 1 July 2018. Since then, we have helped many people on the way to becoming KDK Family Law (Klimek Dass King Family Law) in March 2021.
I accept instructions in all areas of family law. I appear in the Family Court of Western Australia, the Perth Children’s Court (for care and Protection Cases), and the Magistrate’s Court (for Restraining Order cases).
Since October 2016, I have been an active board member of the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre. I regularly volunteer at the Subiaco Justice Centre giving legal advice in relation to family law matters. I am listed as a member of the Dispute Resolution Panel at Legal Aid WA. I am a member of the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of WA (FLPAWA), the Law Society of WA, and the Family Law Section of the Family Law Council of Australia.
Ben King
Ben graduated from UWA in 2014 with a Bachelor of Commerce (financial accounting) and Bachelor of Law. He completed his graduate diploma of legal practice in 2014 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in September 2014. He was admitted to the High Court of Australia in 2018. Ben has previously worked for 2 top tier family law firms as a law clerk and later as a lawyer since 2012. He has developed an interest in complex financial cases in relation to property settlements, including those affecting third parties.
Prior to completing his tertiary studies Ben was a joint WAIS and AIS scholarship holder for road cycling and raced professionally in the United States and Europe for 5 seasons, including Lance Armstrong’s Trek-Livestrong team. Ben is currently a director of the Oceanic Triathlon club and has been an elected board member of Triathlon WA since 2018. Ben has been recognized in 2020 and 2021 as a Family Law rising star in WA by Doyle’s Guide.
Sheila Dass
Having graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2000, I have been practising in the areas of family law, care and protection and restraining orders for over 20 years.
I have experience in parenting, financial, family violence and care and protection matters, with a particular interest in children’s issues.
Our goal at KDK is to provide high quality, affordable legal advice and representation across all family law matters.
Each step of the way I endeavour to be communicative and frank with clients about their case, the likelihood of achieving the outcomes they seek and viable avenues to pursue.
I encourage clients to resolve matters through negotiations, mediations, family therapy and other forms of dispute resolution. However, should this not be possible, I have many years of advocacy and trial experience in the Family Court, Supreme Court, Magistrates Courts and Children’s Court.
Alicia Bessell-Browne
Alicia graduated from UWA in 2012 with a Bachelor of Economics (Economics) and a Bachelor of Law. She completed her graduate diploma of legal practice through the College of Law in 2013 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in October 2013. In 2019, Alicia became an Accredited Family Law Specialist. In 2020, Alicia completed the College of Law’s Legal Practice Management course, before joining the team at Klimek Dass Family Law in July 2020.
Alicia has previously worked for two law firms in Perth, WA where she practised almost exclusively in family law, and gained extensive experience in property and parenting cases, as well as binding financial agreements.
Alicia’s focus in legal practice is on delivering cost-effective solutions to her clients.
Kori O'Meehan
Graduating from the University of Western Australia in 2013, Kori O’Meehan achieved a Bachelor of Laws (with distinction) and a Bachelor of Science, majoring in psychology.
Starting her career in 2014 as a commercial litigator, Kori built an excellent foundation in managing complex and multi-faceted disputes. She used these skills to transition successfully to family law, where she assists clients through one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
In early 2024 Kori brought her expertise to KDK Family Law, where she focuses on matters relating to both parenting and financial issues.
A consummate professional and experienced litigator, Kori’s approach to family law is conciliatory. To avoid the time, stress and expense associated with legal proceedings, she encourages clients (whenever possible) to reach agreement with their former spouse or partner about parenting arrangements and financial matters. Where agreement cannot be reached, she works tirelessly to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.
Kori has instructed counsel at several Family Court trials and an appeal before the Full Family Court of Australia. She regularly appears in the Family Court of Western Australia, competently and compassionately supporting her clients through what can be an intimidating process.
Kori is a skilled yet empathetic communicator and prides herself on a straightforward and open approach with a genuine interest in helping people.
Outside of office hours, Kori is a volunteer at the Women’s Legal Service WA for their Family Law Property Clinic.
Ben Sweetman
Ben has been working in family law since 2017, first as a law clerk and now a lawyer.
Ben was admitted in December 2019 and work closely with Ben King, with whom I received training from a top tier Perth family law firm prior to joining KDK Family Law.
His approach is to understand your issues, goals, and concerns, provide you with information about the legal frameworks, and help you obtain the outcomes you desire as efficiently as possible.
Ideally, we will have a brief professional relationship, your family law issues will resolve, and you can return to life without lawyers.
Joshua Sampson
Joshua graduated from the University of Western Australia in 2015 with a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2016.
Prior to joining KDK Family Law, Joshua worked at a top-tier family law firm in Perth, specialising in complex financial disputes.
Before moving into family law, Joshua worked in commercial law, and across national infrastructure policy portfolios in the federal government. His varied experience informs his pragmatic approach to practice.
Joshua is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and the Family Law Practitioners’ Association of Western Australia.
Gavin Fernandez
Gavin’s journey in the legal field has been marked by a diverse range of experiences that have shaped his expertise in family law.
He embarked on his legal career as a Magistrates Associate at the Family Court, where he dedicated two years to immersing himself in the intricate processes and procedures of the court. This invaluable experience provided him with a profound understanding of the judiciary’s inner workings and a firsthand perspective on the Family Court’s approach to handling cases.
In 2021, Gavin proudly graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Juris Doctor degree, demonstrating his commitment to his legal education. His dedication to the field was further evident in 2020 when he co-authored a comprehensive review on police responses to family violence incidents in collaboration with the WA Justice Association. This collaborative effort showcased his commitment to addressing critical societal issues.
Gavin’s academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Arts degree obtained in 2018 and an impressive achievement as the Dux of Aquinas College in 2015. Currently, he is diligently completing his Practical Legal Training with the esteemed Piddington Society, further honing his legal skills.
Throughout his career, Gavin has complemented his academic pursuits with hands-on experience, participating in vacation clerkships and internships at prestigious top-tier law firms specialising in commercial, generalist, and construction law. He has seamlessly integrated this multifaceted experience into his specialisation in family law.
Of particular significance is Gavin’s passion for handling complex parenting matters within family law. His profound understanding of the judicial system, acquired during his time as a Magistrates Associate, informs his approach. Gavin’s unique perspective enables him to advocate effectively for the best interests of children, aligning his practice with the core values of family law.
Get in touch with
You can contact us by email to [email protected] or phone to 08 6478 7892 or 0480 289 734.
Our office is located at 220 Stirling Highway in Claremont (halfway between Bay Road and Goldsworthy Road).
Our lawyers regularly appear in the Family Court of WA, the Magistrates Court for Restraining Order Cases, and the Perth Children’s Court for Care and Protection Cases.
Our lawyers are also members of the Law Society of WA, The Family Law Practitioners Association of WA (FLPAWA), and the Family Law Section of the Family Council of Australia.
