Meet the Mediators
We believe in helping our clients resolve their family law matters amicably, respectfully and with dignity.
We are Effective Dispute Resolution.
With modern thinking males as our Mediators, we offer you and your separating partner the choice of our experienced Mediators who can help. We have both modern-thinking male Mediators and female Mediators, so you and your separating partner can choose the best fit for you and your circumstances.
We are a team of experienced Family Law Accredited Specialists and we started dignity.edr in 2021 to move away from traditional family law practise that focuses heavily on litigation, towards a more family centred resolution practice.
Leon Berger
Leon Berger is a Family Law Accredited Specialist, NMAS Accredited Mediator, Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), and Facilitator
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Leon Berger
Leon has over 17 years’ experience in relationship and family law and 12 years as an LIV Accredited Specialist. Leon is known in the profession for his sensible, calm, strategic and pragmatic approach to complex family law matters. As a seasoned family law litigator, Leon is determined change the approach to relationship and family law matters by designing people centred resolution processes focusing on maintaining civility and dignity beyond separation.
Leon is one of our Directors and co-founders here at dignity.edr. Leon was a former Partner of Berger Kordos Lawyers and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (2002) from Bond University and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (2004) from Leo Cussen Centre for Law. He is an NMAS Accredited Mediator (2021), and has now also obtained his accreditation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner FDRP (2023).
Leon can help you with family and relationship law matters including: binding financial agreements including pre-nuptial agreements, family law and separations including consent orders, contact arrangements and property settlements, divorce applications, mediations and facilitation.
Leon views the best approach to relationship and family law matters is to find resolutions outside of the courtroom.
In his spare time, Leon enjoys cooking up masterpieces in the kitchen, watching the English Premier League, reading and hanging out with his family.
Phone: 03 7031 4460
Mobile: 0411 027 980
leon@dignityedr.com.au
Barry Berger
Barry Berger is a Family Law Accredited Specialist, Collaborative Lawyer, NMAS Accredited Mediator and Arbitrator.
Barry Berger is one of Australia’s most experienced family lawyers and is known in the profession for giving strategic legal advice in complex family law matters, an innovator in collaborative law and alternative dispute resolution, and a champion of value-priced offerings.
Barry is one of our Directors and co-founders here at dignity.edr. and dignity.legal. Throughout his 48 year career, Barry was the co-founder and Managing Partner of Berger Kordos Lawyers and prior to that he was the Head of the Family Law Department of Home Wilkinson Lowry which subsequently became HWLE.
Barry graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Economics (1972) and Bachelor of Laws (1974).
In his spare time, Barry has a keen interest in all things cycling.
Barry is committed to helping people effectively find workable outcomes and practical resolutions at all stages of their relationship. Barry is always looking at new ways to reinvent how to achieve family law resolutions effectively.
Phone: 03 7031 4460
Mobile: 0412 352 044
barry@dignityedr.com.au
Athanasia Balaskas
Athanasia is a Family Law Accredited Specialist, an NMAS Accredited Mediator, and is our Special Counsel at Dignity.EDR
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Athanasia Balaskas
Athanasia is a Family Law Accredited Specialist, Accredited Mediator and is our Special Counsel at Dignity.EDR. Ath has 18 years of extensive experience assisting clients across all aspects in family and relationship law. She has a particular interest in negotiating and drafting Financial Agreements. Ath brings a practical focus and provides results driven advice to assist her clients. She is an effective negotiator, motivated wherever possible to resolve matters for clients in an expeditious and cost effective matter. Ath is also fluent in Greek.
Ath graduated from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Laws (2002), obtained her Specialisation in 2009, undertook Collaborative Law training in 2010 and recently obtained her NMAS Accreditation as a Mediator.
On a personal note, Ath loves spending quality time with her family.
Having been involved in an array of related litigation matters over the years has convinced Ath that there is a better way. Ath has a keen interest in effective dispute resolutions processes such as Mediation and Collaborative Law.
Ph: 03 7031 4460
ath@dignityedr.com.au
Margy Nixon
Margy is the Legal Administrative Assistant at Dignity.EDR
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Margy Nixon
Margy is the Legal Administrative Assistant for Dignity.EDR. Margy brings over 35 years experience working across a myriad of fields including marketing, sales, health and law, and this makes her an excellent communicator. Margy likes to be organised and loves to constantly learn new things. She aims to always provide our clients, staff and contacts with dignity and respect, to assist in achieving positive results.
Margy’s role is supporting the assisting the Dignity.EDR team in whatever shape or form that comes in.
On a personal note, Margy enjoys spending time with her family and friends – being a taxi driver for her teenage children is a normal weekend for her! She also enjoys going for walks, tap dancing classes and curling up with a good book or movie.
Ph: 03 7031 4460
margy@dignityedr.com.au
Melissa Eagleton
Melissa is the Practice Manager at Dignity.EDR
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Melissa Eagleton
Melissa is the Practice Manager at Dignity.EDR. Having also come across with Barry and Leon from Berger Kordos Lawyers, Melissa has over 16 years’ experience in supporting and managing a specialist family law firm.
Melissa’s role involves all aspects of management of the firm, including financial control, accounts, banking and reporting; human resources including staff training/development, resourcing and recruitment; operations, compliance, policies and procedures, equipment and technology; and assisting with marketing and practice development. She credits her organisation, scheduling and list-making skills as her highest-regarding professional attributes.
Personally, Melissa loves her family’s adventures – whether camping and 4WDing around remote areas of Australia or vegetable gardening on her hobby farm – raising her young boys to learn about the great outdoors and sustainability, and she also likes trying to find some quiet time with a good book.
Ph: 03 7031 4460
melissa@dignityedr.com.au
