MANAGING PRINCIPAL
Nicola Watts
ACCREDITATIONS
MEMBERSHIPS
Nicola Watts always aspired to be a lawyer. She studied law at the University of Tasmania and was admitted to practise in the Supreme Court of Tasmania and High Court of Australia in 1993. Four years later, Nicola relocated to Melbourne, where she was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria. She worked in family law there for 16 years before moving to Perth in 2013, joining O’Sullivan Davies in 2018 and becoming a Principal in 2020.
With broad experience across Australia, Nicola practices in all facets of family law, with a particular interest in children’s matters. She was one of the first in Australia to be trained as an Independent Children’s Lawyer, and was appointed by Legal Aid in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia between 1995-2018 to act as an ICL. Nicola is also a qualified mediator, collaborative lawyer and arbitrator.
What Nicola enjoys most is listening to clients’ stories and the unique nature of each family law case. She has a knack for putting people at ease. Nicola can swiftly grasp the crux of an issue and find solutions that may not be obvious. Her quick thinking and 30 years of experience make her a formidable advocate in court.
Outside of work, Nicola’s curiosity continues through regular travel, dining adventures and culinary creations. She is a keen horse racing fan, having not missed a Melbourne Cup Carnival since 1994, except during the COVID lockdowns. Nicola finds inspiration in those at peace in their own lives, finding joy regardless of circumstances.
Nicola is Western Australia’s sole Executive Member of the Family Law Section, Law Council of Australia, having been elected in 2016 and appointed Treasurer in 2021. She was the Chair of the organising committee for the Section’s 20th National Family Law Conference in Perth in 2024.
Nicola is Western Australia’s only female Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She also serves on Legal Aid’s Review Committee and as the Section’s representative on the Family Law Practitioners Association of WA.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
I am most grateful for your help in the interim hearing. I was amazed at how you performed with your rebuttal speech. I couldn’t think of any way it could have been done better. You are very fierce yet delivered it with such finesse. I am so happy with the outcome thanks to you and the rest of the team in O’Sullivan Davies. I couldn’t thank you enough. Thank you very much.
