Australia 13 www.lawyer-monthly.com Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Awards 2025 How does your firm balance assertive legal representation with empathy and care, especially when children are involved? At The Family Lawyer, I have championed the adoption of a child-centred, evidence-based approach that draws on both legal principles and psychological research. Our work is strongly informed by the insights of leading experts in clinical and educational psychology, ensuring our practice remains attuned to the developmental, emotional, and safety needs of children. Assertiveness in the parciate of family law, to me, means being strategic, informed, and firm in advocating for what is right. It does not mean being combative. We empower our clients with education. From the outset, we recommend that they complete parenting after separation courses, attend family therapy if appropriate, and engage proactively in understanding the impact of their behaviour on their children. We support clients in separating their emotional needs from their children’s needs. We help them distinguish between “winning” and “resolution.” Our role is to guide, not decide, and not to escalate without cause. When appropriate, we engage child experts, psychologists, and Independent Q “Empathy is not just a value. It is a practice. It means listening without judgment, holding space for people at their lowest, and understanding that their anger or fear often masks deeper pain. When clients feel seen and heard, real progress begins.”
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