Tess Smith

Tess is a dedicated Family Lawyers with a passion for empowering clients through clarity, compassion, and expertise.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Queensland University of Technology (2018) and a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communication).

With a career spanning legal practices in Bendigo, Colac & Geelong, Tess brings a wealth of experience across diverse settings.

Before transitioning exclusively to family law practice, she worked in community legal centres supporting clients with disability as well as in

Federal and State Government roles as a case manager, paralegal and policy officer.

Tess understands that legal processes and courtrooms can be daunting -especially for those unfamiliar with the system. She is deeply committed to

Demystifying the law and creating a safe, supportive space for clients navigating family law matters. Her goal is to ensure each client feels genuinely heard,

informed, and empowered from the first meeting through to resolution. Tess joined the team at Cahill Family Lawyers in January 2025.