Gary Yan - Partner and Accredited Specialist in Family Law
Gary is an accomplished family lawyer and skilled litigator, dually qualified in Australia and the UK.
He is consistently ranked by respected legal directory Doyle’s Guide as one of Victoria’s foremost practitioners in Family and Divorce Law and Parenting & Children’s Matters.
Gary previously worked with the Commissioner for Children in Tasmania, and abroad in the family law department of top-tier UK firm Manches LLP, now Penningtons Manches Cooper. Owing to his UK practice and experience of Asian jurisdictions, he has a specialist interest in the international elements of family law, regularly advising clients on financial and parenting matters involving other jurisdictions. His broad expertise also includes pre-nuptial agreements and same-sex relationships.
Testament to his standing in the industry, together with Gillian Coote, Gary wrote the Australian chapter of International Relocation of Children: A Global Guide. He is a mentor to young lawyers with the Asian-Australian Lawyers Association and speaks Cantonese. For Mandarin speaking clients, we can arrange translator services on request.
Gary is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. He has been a Law Institute Accredited Specialist in Family Law since 2013 and a member of the LIV Family Law Advisory Committee since 2023.
Read what our clients have to say
Hi Gary and Bonnie,
I just wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all of the help and support you provided me throughout my difficult divorce. Your guidance and expertise were truly invaluable during this challenging time, and I am so grateful for everything you did to help me navigate the legal process.
I know I was not the ideal client with all my problems but I am forever grateful that you both persevered with me and pushed me to the finish line. Your professionalism, honesty and compassion were evident from our very first meeting, and I always felt that I was in good hands with you as my lawyers. Your thorough approach and clear communication made all the difference in helping me to achieve a fair and positive outcome in the most timely manner.
I cannot thank you enough for your support and encouragement. It helped me to stay strong during the difficult times, and I am so grateful to have had you by my side throughout this process.
Once again, thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I truly appreciate your hard work, dedication, and expertise, and I would not have been able to navigate this process without you. You have made a real difference in my life, and I will always be grateful for your help.
Cheers
I really appreciated your time and suggestions on the matter. It certainly made my day and brought me out of a place of despair.
Thanks again to all the team.
I can't thank you enough for your support, directions, suggestions and all the great work to get everything finalized very quickly.
I'm so happy with the professionalism and services.
Many thanks
Gary & Rohan,
I just wanted to thank you both for all your expertise, support and achieving a suitable outcome. I felt in good hands throughout the process but pleased we have achieved a result with mediation to avoid further protracted legal costs. Not only did you deliver the outcome Gary, you did it in style with your cool boots!
Much appreciated!
I understand my matter dragged on largely due to unnecessary choices by the other party which ultimately cost me more money. However we are so relieved that this saga has come to an end. I just wanted to close this off with a big thank you to your firm’s efforts assisting me to the end. This ultimately allowed me to pursue my court case to achieve the best financial outcome possible.
Whilst I believe we had a good professional relationship I really hope we do not need your services ever again :)
(PS. Maybe we can cross paths in the near future to have a drink to celebrate)
A BIG thank you for all your work on this matter and also a BIG thank you to the team at Cootes. It was a pleasure dealing with you through this difficult time.
Thank you so much for sending me the order. It's great to have everything over and done with. I would like to say thank you to you, Joel and everyone in your law firm for your help and support throughout the process.
I can't thank you enough for all the hard work you've done for my case. I'm so glad that everything went well.
A BIG thank you for all your work on this matter and also a BIG thank you to the team at Cootes. It was a pleasure dealing with you through this difficult time.
I can't thank you enough for all your support when no other lawyers will. The family report and last hearing is so validating no money can buy. It means so much to be heard and your work changed our lives.
I am so grateful for your passion, dedication and professionalism. You are the best!
Thank you for always remaining calm while giving me the facts and providing support.
I would like to thank you with all my heart for your support through the last 12 months. It has been a very difficult time for me.
I would like to thank you and Alisha for your dedication and for trying to get the best outcome under the circumstances. I know that dealing with the other parties was particularly difficult so I thank you for achieving this outcome.
Thank you also for your patience and understanding.
I would like to wish you the best in your careers. I am certain that Alisha will go on to have a stellar career. And I am sure you will continue to grow the practice thanks to your skill and care.
Thank you for all of your help and support today and everyday. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you Gary. I appreciate your kindness and understanding in the very difficult circumstances.
I want to say thank you for the most amazing effort and level of support you provided to me. It's moments like that I never forget in this journey I am on. I thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart. To feel so supported and not alone in this battle against my ex husband (which should not be a battle) means a great deal to me.
Thank you for everything! You always work so hard to help and support me. I really am so very grateful to have you helping me, as I often say, just like family.
Thank you so much Gary for being amazing and for helping me with everything. I want you to know I appreciate everything you are doing and have done.
You did a great job walking me through it all! Thank you for helping me through what was a very challenging period of my life.
Thanks to Gary and the team at Coote as your efforts have made a huge difference in the quality of the time I have with my daughter.
Leading - Gary Yan
The 2024 listing of leading Melbourne Family & Divorce Lawyers details solicitors practising within the areas of family law, matrimonial, parenting, property and spousal maintenance matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Recommended - Gary Yan
The 2024 listing of leading Victorian Parenting & Children's Matters Lawyers details individuals who have been specifically highlighted for their expertise, abilities and experience in complex parenting/child custody issues and disputes. These rankings also include individuals with experience acting as an independent Children's Lawyer in relation to matters that may include, but are not limited to, family violence, physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children. Individuals included in our broader Family Law rankings may also possess significant skill with respect to parenting matters however have not been identified for such.
View past awards
Recommended - Gary Yan
The 2023 listing of leading Melbourne Family & Divorce Lawyers details solicitors practising within the areas of family law, matrimonial, parenting, property and spousal maintenance matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Doyle's Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – Melbourne, 2021
Recommended - Gary Yan
The 2021 listing of leading Melbourne Family & Divorce Lawyers details solicitors practising within the areas of family law, matrimonial, parenting, property and spousal maintenance matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Doyle's Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – Melbourne, 2020
Recommended - Gary Yan
The 2020 listing of leading Melbourne Family & Divorce Lawyers details solicitors practising within the areas of family law, matrimonial, parenting, property and spousal maintenance matters in the Victorian legal market who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Doyle's Leading Parenting & Children’s Matters Lawyers – Victoria, 2020
Recommended - Gary Yan
The 2020 listing of leading Victorian Parenting & Children's Matters Lawyers details individuals who have been specifically highlighted for their expertise, abilities and experience in complex parenting/child custody issues and disputes. These rankings also include individuals with experience acting as an independent Children's Lawyer in relation to matters that may include, but are not limited to, family violence, physical, sexual and emotional abuse of children. Individuals included in our broader Family Law rankings may also possess significant skill with respect to parenting matters however have not been identified for such.
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