What do Curtis’ clients’ have to say?
“I am immensely grateful to Curtis Ward at Clairs Keeley for his very careful, professional guidance and support during a very difficult time. Thank you very much for the thoroughness in everything that was done and thank you very much for your kindness as well.”
CURTIS WARD
Senior Associate
Curtis was admitted in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2013. In his 11 years as a solicitor, he has gained experience in a variety of areas, including complex parenting and financial family law matters, summary and indictable criminal law matters, and banking and finance, small business and consumer law disputes.
Curtis is experienced in courtroom advocacy. He was a Duty Lawyer at the Family Court of Western Australia for several years and has appeared as counsel at interim hearings and trials before Magistrates and Judges in the Family, Magistrates’ and District Courts of Western Australia.
Curtis takes a practical approach to all disputes, focusing on problem-solving and looking for solutions that best suit all people involved including, importantly, considering the impact of the dispute on any children of the relationship. As a result, Curtis is best known for resolving disputes through settlement agreements.
Curtis focuses his practice on obtaining the best possible outcome for families. To achieve this aim, he has obtained National Accreditation as a mediator, is a qualified family dispute resolution practitioner, is trained in Collaborative Practice, and is a qualified Independent Children’s Lawyer.
In addition to his practice in family law, Curtis is also the President of the Gender Reassignment Board of Western Australia and a Commissioner of the Legal Aid Western Australia Commission, having been appointed to these roles by the Governor of Western Australia and Attorney General of Western Australia, respectively.
Curtis is a strong advocate for social justice. He served on the Board of Pride WA for more than six years, including as President and Secretary, and is an appointed member of the City of Perth Advisory Committee. He previously sat as the Social Justice and Human Rights Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee of the Law Society of Western Australia. Curtis’ commitment to the community was recognised in 2020 when the City of Vincent named him as a Local Hero.
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
- Property and Financial matters
- Child-related proceedings
- Financial agreements
- Spousal and de facto spousal maintenance
- Child Support
- Collaborative
- Same-sex relationships
- Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
MEMBERSHIPS:
- Law Society of Western Australia
- Family Law Practitioner’s Association of Western Australia
- Collaborative Professionals Western Australia
- Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
- Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators
- Resolution Institute
OTHER:
- President of the Gender Reassignment Board of Western Australia
- Commissioner of the Legal Aid Western Australia Commission