Dannielle Ford

WILLS & ESTATES LITIGATION, FAMILY LAWYER & COLLABORATIVE LAWYER

Dannielle Ford is the Co-Owner and Chief Operations Officer of Cheney Suthers Lawyers, as well as a collaboratively trained lawyer specialising in succession, wills and estate planning and litigation, as well as commercial litigation and family law.

After honing her legal expertise across succession, wills and estate planning, contested estate litigation, commercial law and family law, Dannielle partnered with Alice Byrnes and Kirsty Evans in 2019 to acquire the firm. Together, they have revitalised the 45-year-old practice, transforming it into a progressive and approachable legal powerhouse known for its compassionate service and client-first approach. 

As Chief Operations Officer, Dannielle manages the day-to-day operations, system improvements, and strategic growth of the firm, including overseeing the adoption of AI in legal practice, implementing cybersecurity measures, and driving business development. Her leadership is characterised by her collaborative approach to decision-making and commitment to fostering a supportive workplace culture.

In her legal practice, Dannielle is particularly focused on succession and estate planning. She is passionate about working with clients and their trusted advisors, such as accountants and financial planners, to craft an estate and/or succession plan that provides asset protection and is tailored to their individual and/or business needs.

As an experienced estate litigator, Dannielle’s empathy for her clients assists them to navigate emotionally charged situations. She has considerable experience in contested estate litigation, including family provision, construction and testamentary capacity. Dannielle has acted for both plaintiffs seeking additional provision and for the estate to uphold the terms of a Will. 

From advising clients on estate and succession planning to resolving disputes over multimillion-dollar estates, she ensures her clients understand their options and feel supported through the dispute resolution or court process. 

Dannielle’s collaborative training enables her to prioritise negotiation and mediation, providing an alternative to costly litigation. Dannielle acknowledges that not all matters can be resolved out of Court and she is a skilled litigator, appearing in the NSW Local, District and Supreme Courts, NSW Land and Environment Court, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and Federal Court of Australia. Dannielle has represented clients in commercial litigation matters where the quantum of the claim exceeded AUD 50 million. 

Her impact extends beyond the firm and into the broader community. As President of the Central West Law Society, she champions opportunities for regional practitioners and has coordinated seminars on AI and mental health in the legal profession.

In 2024, Dannielle won the Outstanding Young Business Leader of the Year in the Business Orange Awards. Dannielle was also a co-winner of the Law Society of NSW’s Rural or Regional Practitioner of the Year 2024 for her tireless community engagement, including her support for LGBTQI+ youth, active participation in charity events, and leadership as President of the Central West Regional Law Society.

Dannielle holds a Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England, which she completed while studying by distance. Dannielle has been a member of the firm (in its various forms) since 2009.

Outside of Cheney Suthers, Dannielle enjoys spending time with her family, including Luna the Labrador and Gatsby the mini Groodle. She is also the President of the Central West Law Society.

Dannielle is a trained collaborative lawyer. For more on Collaborative Practice, click here.

You can connect with Dannielle on LinkedIn.