Australia 15 www.lawyer-monthly.com Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Awards 2025 that they received excellent legal advice, but also that they were seen and supported as whole human beings. That ethos has created a workplace where emotional intelligence and professional excellence are given equal weight. This leadership approach has also helped shape a team culture that values collaboration over hierarchy. What advice would you give to young women entering the legal profession today, especially those considering a career in family law? First and foremost: do what you love, and love what you do. The law requires passion, and family law demands it. Know the law, know the rules, and know yourself. Family law is not for the faint-hearted. It will test your intellect, your ethics, and your emotional reserves. But it will also offer some of the most meaningful and deeply human moments of your career. To young women entering the profession, especially those drawn to family law, my advice is this: embrace the full complexity of the work. Step into it with your eyes wide open, and find a mentor who will challenge and support you. There will be emotional discomfort, learn to manage it, rather than let it manage you. Build resilience through reflection, and always make space to care for yourself. Surround yourself with mentors who model integrity, not just success. Treat everyone—your clients, colleagues, support staff, opponents, and most importantly, yourself—with respect. Be kind, but do not confuse kindness for weakness. And do not fall into the trap of measuring your worth by how closely you resemble the traditional archetype of a lawyer, the brand of your shoes, or the figure on your paycheck. Measure your worth by assessing your courage, compassion, and capacity to stand firm in moments of uncertainty. Measure it by your willingness to have difficult conversations, to hold space for clients in distress, and to maintain your integrity when no one is watching. The legal profession needs practitioners who lead with both intellect and heart, who understand that true strength lies not in dominance, but in service. Success is not defined by appearances or accolades, but by the positive impact you leave on the lives you touch and the profession you shape. Above all, remember that your purpose is your compass. There will be days when you doubt yourself, when you feel, as I did early in my career, like you are walking through the courtroom with spinach in your teeth. That is normal. The key is to keep walking. Keep learning. Keep showing up. www.thefamilylawyer.com.au Q
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