BELINDA CHITTS
Family Lawyer
Legal Qualifications
- Solicitor, Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor, High Court of Australia
- Collaborative Law Trained
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bond University
Professional Organisations
- Member, Queensland Law Society
- Member, Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland
- Member, Gold Coast District Law Association
- Member, Queensland Collaborative Law
Family Lawyer
I grew up in a picturesque community South East of Melbourne, and it was my year 11 Legal Studies teacher who introduced me to the law. Looking back, I realise and appreciate how fortunate I was, having been introduced to the law by such a passionate and intellectual educator. During high school I decided that I wanted to be a lawyer, and when I make a decision I follow through – the law became the path I walked.
I commenced my university studies in Melbourne before relocating to the Gold Coast in 2010 to commence a Law Degree at Bond University. Throughout my degree I undertook work experience in family law, and ultimately begun working exclusively as a family lawyer in 2013, with the same law firm that had introduced me to family law when I was a university student. I have worked exclusively in family law since I was admitted to practice as a Solicitor in 2013. That area of law has been a fit for me, and I feel that I’ve never looked back.
As a family lawyer I work closely with each of my clients, hearing from them about their lives, their worries and their hopes for the future. I see my role as being their stepping-stone, allowing them to move from one time in their life to the next as seamlessly as possible. I help them to find their feet in what can feel like the most insurmountable challenge in their life. My empathy allows me to understand their needs, and my creativity enables me to effectively problem solve and brainstorm real life solutions to family law dilemmas. To me, family law is a job the ‘value’ in which I truly believe.
I can reveal to those I help the benefits of using alternative dispute resolution techniques to achieve durable outcomes, and I am a Collaboratively Trained Lawyer for that reason. I know firsthand that, whatever the issues at large for my clients (parenting, financial, child support or a combination thereof) a thoughtful and co-operative approach to the resolution of family law situations can deliver a positive way forward for them, and one which is felt by their family and social circles.
My life outside family law is a simple one; I enjoy the outdoors, fitness, cooking, and quality family time.
Video Transcript
I believe that I’m a very caring, compassionate family lawyer. I have empathy for each of my clients. My name is Belinda Chitts, and I’m a family lawyer here at BGM. Been working in family law since I was admitted to practice in 2013, which is about seven years now. I enjoy working at BGM Family Lawyers because of the great team culture here. Everyone is always very positive, and it’s a happy workplace.
I think our point of difference is we all have a very strong skill set in our office. We all work exclusively in family law. But we also acknowledge that it’s not a one size fits all approach for every matter. We treat clients as individuals, just like their case is. We understand that it’s really hard and can be very difficult for clients to take that first step and get advice from a family lawyer. But we here, at BGM, make clients feel as comfortable as possible to ensure that their hand is held throughout the entire process.
Each client matter is different which means that we’re all working on a diverse range of client matters at any one time. There are many moments that I look back on that make me feel proud for being a family lawyer. But I think it’s really the small things for me. It’s when a client acknowledges that you’ve done a really great job. That you’ve achieved a really great outcome for them in their matter. That’s what makes me feel very proud of my job, and what I’ve done.
