Growing up, Orlena Moloney was always going to be a teacher. The ability to help a child develop and grow really appealed to her. But when it came time for university applications, she was accepted into the Bachelor of Law at Western Sydney University in 1999.
In 2001, she commenced a summer clerkship with the Attorney General’s department and their telephone advice service known as “Law Access”, where she provided legal information and advice to people in rural and remote parts of New South Wales. She obtained a full-time position from that clerkship and remained with Law Access for three years.
So began her love for family law. Orlena has worked on the Gold Coast as a family lawyer since being admitted to practice in 2004 and is particularly interested in parenting and child-related matters.
“In some respects, I liken my role to something like having been a teacher. Helping parents navigate through a process that can be stressful and all-consuming, and to give them the information that will, hopefully, help them to make informed, practical, and child-focused decisions. Having two children myself has also helped me in the way I practice. Since becoming a parent, I have a better appreciation of the needs of children, the need to consider their routine and age-appropriate arrangements” says Orlena.
She has been able to gain extensive experience in all aspects of parenting proceedings, knowing that parenting matters need to be approached in a way which is tailored to each family’s circumstances. Her goal is ensuring that the approach always remains child-focused and practical.
In 2016, she was voted by the Doyle’s Guide as a ‘rising star’ in the Queensland family law profession, receiving a ‘recommended’ listing in the 2017 Gold Coast Family Law List. Since 2018, she has been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide as a leading lawyer.
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