We recently surveyed the finalists in the Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Family Lawyer of the Year Award to get their perspective on how family law firms can foster workplaces that really stand out.

Thanks to Sonia Haidamous (SLF Lawyers) Savanna Bull (Orbell Family Lawyers) Jenna Georgopoulos (Mills Oakley) Jack Semmens (Andersons Solicitors) and Olivia Melville (Coote Family Lawyers) and Emily Ownsworth (Hopgood Ganim Lawyers) for contributing their insights.

1. Foster a supportive culture of continuous improvement

Young family lawyers are looking for a supportive team atmosphere, empathetic senior family lawyers, and a culture of continuous improvement where junior family lawyers have the confidence to ask questions. It’s clear that each member of a law firm plays an important role in fostering this.

Law firms can create a supportive team environment where empathy and understanding are paramount by:

• Encouraging open communication with an open-door policy where questions are encouraged and knowledge sharing is routine.
• Adopting tools such as track changes (or more innovatively, Loom video recordings) when reviewing work and creating templates that embed best practices.
• Offering constructive feedback through regular, structured one-to-one review sessions to help young lawyers refine their skills and avoid future pitfalls.

“I find myself forever changing and adapting the way I practise and support my clients based on my learnings with colleagues… It is just as important to demonstrate empathy and provide emotional support and understanding to my clients [as how the] facts apply to the legislation/case law.”

“One of the worst feelings as a Young Lawyer is feeling like you are bothering a senior colleague by asking questions, or as though they don't have time for you, or that you are asking them a stupid question”

“Incorporating an ethos that everyone has something to learn is extremely important. Our two partners have roughly 20 years of experience; each, openly and often, says that they are still learning and have plenty of room to grow and ask my opinions on their matters. This allows all team members to feel valued and open to constructive feedback.”

2. Implement structured mentoring and development programs

Law firms that implement structured mentoring and learning programs for young lawyers not only stand out and develop a good reputation within the market, they obviously accelerate their team’s development.

Examples include:

• Goal-oriented development by encouraging lawyers to set, review and update their professional goals and aspirations throughout the year.
• Experienced guidance by pairing young lawyers with experienced mentors from within and outside the firm who can provide professional insights, emotional support and advice.
• Growth opportunities by allowing young family lawyers to take on greater responsibility managing certain cases or projects to prepare them for more senior positions.

“I believe it's important for young family lawyers to have a mentor who they can rely on for guidance and support. I have observed that internal mentorship programs within a firm for young lawyers are extremely beneficial.”

“As a Young Lawyer, it is invaluable to be able to bounce ideas off other colleagues, ask their input and discuss your matter strategy. One approach is to book 10 minutes each day with a senior lawyer/partner/manager or 30 minutes every few days to chat about your matters and ask questions of senior lawyers in your firm.”

3. Invest in facilitated learning and networking opportunities

Family law can be highly complex. Critical to success as a family law practitioner is a deep understanding of the latest developments in family law and adjacent legal areas, as well as building a strong reputation and professional network.

Family law firms can support their junior lawyers by:

• Investing in their lawyers attending workshops, seminars, and conferences, including around adjacent areas such as property, trusts, criminal and property law.
• Encouraging and facilitating networking via industry events, local professional associations and advocacy groups.

“Family law is such a fast-paced area of practice and it is easy to not take time to reflect. The majority of people in the profession want to see you succeed. Surrounding myself with others who are invested in my learning and making connections through my role as a Young Lawyers Delegate for our region has assisted greatly in my development.”

4. Provide diverse, hands-on experience and opportunities to lead

The 30 under 30 finalists all agreed that real hands-on exposure is invaluable in helping them to gain confidence and practical skills that are crucial for their development as leaders in family law.

Law firms can enable this through:

• Allowing young lawyers to handle diverse aspects of family law cases and stages, from initial client interviews to courtroom appearances where possible.
• Ensuring they are involved in the entire lifecycle of a case, from the intake of new clients to the resolution of their case.

Exposure to the complete process provides a deeper understanding of case management, but also provides helpful perspectives that shape how you manage clients and work with them to achieve their aims.

“It’s extremely beneficial for young family lawyers to see files from their commencement to their completion. This method of training automatically improves their knowledge as to case management, as well as provides a sense of ownership and accountability in the file that they are working on and fulfilment when great outcomes are achieved.”

“Practising family law is about communication and compromise. You learn that a ‘win’ is often not going to trial and arguing a case, but rather helping a client reach an equitable agreement and getting out of the system as quickly as possible.”

5. Recognising values alongside achievement

The role of a family lawyer is meaningful and important, but also highly demanding and stressful at times. Being supported and taking care of your staff’s mental health is essential.

Acknowledging the hard work and dedication required by lawyers to guide clients through complex legal processes is noticed and improves morale. This includes taking the time to celebrate wins, however small.

“Once you have mastered the technical aspects of the role and the social aspects of this career, you will enjoy the way you provide support for families who are going through one of the most traumatic times of their lives, and you are there for them.”

“It is incredibly rewarding to assist clients from the very commencement of their matter until the conclusion and to observe their journey and progress.”

Conclusion

Fostering a supportive environment, providing structured mentorship, investing in external training and networking opportunities, providing opportunities to lead matters, and celebrating the wins along the way, are key ways ambitious family law firms can attract, retain and develop top family lawyers.

JustFund works with over 400 leading Australian family law firms to help empower their clients to achieve fair and equitable outcomes. To learn more about how to become an accredited law firm, visit www.justfund.com.au/lawyers.