Scott Wedgwood
Principal
Scott Wedgwood is a principal in our Family Law team and is based in the Brisbane office. He is a Queensland Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist.
Scott advises on all family law issues, but he has particular expertise in complex property settlements, especially those involving difficult taxation issues.
‘I think my strength as a family lawyer lies in the fact that, although I have practised for close to 30 years, I have also worked in the commercial world. As a result, I understand how businesses operate, and I know that it isn’t just about the balance sheet. When exploring options for a property settlement, I am skilled at looking for ways to ensure that we can preserve the business, not only for the benefit of the former spouses but also for the children. I often take the time to visit a client’s business to ensure that I understand how it works. In short, my interest in businesses and my ability to think laterally is something that clients feel they really benefit from when we work together’.
Over the years Scott has learned to approach property settlements from more than just a percentage division perspective. He is very interested in the commercial aspects of family law, including the taxation and stamp duty consequences of property settlements and the means by which to deliver an outcome beyond mere percentages.
Scott also works closely with our estate planning lawyers to ensure optimal asset protection strategies are put in place to suit his clients’ needs now and in the future.
Scott is a strong negotiator and enjoys working collaboratively with his clients and other skilled professionals to reach the best possible outcome for everyone involved as quickly as possible. Generally, it is not in anyone’s interest for these matters to drag on.
‘Going through a family breakdown is really tough and unpleasant, and I am always mindful of what my client is experiencing.’
At Barry Nilsson, the core of our business is based on trust. We care not only about our clients, but about each other.
‘In the Family Law team, we also take the time to understand our clients’ businesses and, when necessary, we engage the right experts to assist us. In a sense, we avoid the one-size-fits-all approach and, instead, use a more bespoke set of analytical tools to get the best possible result for our client in their particular circumstances, and. I think that’s very different from many family law practices’.
Beyond this, Scott has a personal interest and commitment to indigenous participation in the workplace. He is an associate member of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland Inc.
Scott has been recognised in the 2016 to 2023 edition of Doyle's Guide as a Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer and a Recommended Lawyer for high-value and complex property matters in 2020-2023. He has also been recognised in Best Lawyers for Family Law and Family Law Mediation since 2017. Scott was named Lawyer of the Year for Family Law Mediation in Brisbane in the 2020 edition of Best Lawyers. He is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, the Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland, and The Tax Institute of Australia. Scott holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons).