About Melanie
Our Co-founder Melanie Tonazzi is a well-respected lawyer who is passionate about helping people to achieve an amicable, family focused separation and divorce which removes conflict and avoids litigation.
With over a decade of family law experience, that includes establishing and leading Sydney Law Group, Melanie practices exclusively in Family and Criminal Law. Through this experience, Melanie knows what it takes and has seen the challenges families face trying to work together when conflict is buoyant.
As relentless as Melanie is in the pursuit of delivering value-based legal services to clients, she truly believes there is a better way, and that families can avoid litigation and achieve a respectful, low conflict separation and divorce.
Melanie is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council and the Law Society of New South Wales. Melanie is an emerging thought leader and speaker and has been recognised for her contribution to the community and in the press.
About Julie
Julie is more than just our Co-Founder and CEO; she is versatile and wears many hats.
For the most part, Julie is an internationally recognized award-winning designer and serial entrepreneur. Julie stands out as an Australian leader in business but also passionately advocates for inclusive diversity across gender and age, pioneering spaces that resonate with the evolving needs of our ageing global population. Her career path is testament to the remarkable feats one can achieve with determination and tenacity.
Enduring the profound impact of two personal divorces ( yes, you heard right, two) , Julie intimately understands the emotional and financial turmoil they bring, especially to children and families. Through these experiences, combined with her co-conspirator Melanie, they both share a vision; hence The Divorce Studio was formed. Julie is a firm believer that education is the key to a better future. Providing individuals with the right tools and guidance during separation can navigate the pathway to more positive outcomes.
While her shelf boasts numerous awards, accolades, and academic degrees, it is through her personal journey that Julie knows the emotional depths – from despair and disappointment, to fear and loneliness that separation & divorce brings. It is her aspiration, through The Divorce Studio to empower individuals to make sensible decisions guided by a long-term plan, rather than short term anger.
About Jeffrey
Our CFO, Jeffrey Tonazzi is a marriage expert—he’s been married to Melanie since 1989.
Jeffrey is dedicated to delivering a financially successful business. He works with Julie in planning, implementation, managing and running all the finance activities including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations.
Our Experts
Kate Halfpenny
For decades Kate has written about other people while raising three of her own.
Kate’s first hand experience at creating a loving and connected family after separation, is the stuff many people dream about. Combined with her extraordinary gift for writing and storytelling,
An award-winning journalist, columnist, editor and content creation expert inspired by words, nostalgia, vodka cocktails, salt water and Dave Grohl, Kate helps us tell the stories of separating families in a warm and inspiring way.
Emma Lagerlow
Emma is a dedicated Wealth and Mindset coach, the inspirational host of the “It’s a Mindset” podcast, and a proud mother of four amazing teenagers.
With a corporate career spanning 25 years, with over a decade in banking and finance, Emma’s on a mission to empower client’s to transform their worth, wealth, and overall well-being, to create fulfilled and prosperous lives.
Through her Wealth Mastery coaching program, Emma guides women as they shift their money mindset towards mindful and practical strategies that foster true wealth in all facets of life.
Through her life coaching programs, “Become the Butterfly” and “Break the Busy Cycle,” Emma guides us to reclaim our worth through self-care and purpose.
So many of her clients have benefited from her services during and after separation as they take a transformative journey to their best, most fulfilled life.