How did you start down this career path?

I’ve had the privilege of speaking to many current law students and recent graduates and the question that keeps coming up is, ‘when did I know that I really wanted to pursue a law career?’

It was 2009. I had finished my degrees and was working as a graduate solicitor at a large national commercial law firm in Sydney. I took a holiday to Borneo: climbing mountains, following orangutans, island-hopping with turtles, and spending time with my now wife. I love immersing myself in different places, communities, and cultures; it’s something that grounds me and gives me mental and spiritual comfort.

In this country, amidst all its natural beauty, I found myself craving the intellectual stimulation that I’d found in my legal studies and short career to date. There was a part of me that looked forward to getting back --- to push my mind and embrace challenges.

Shortly after I returned home, I started a new role as a solicitor at a Central Coast law firm. My first case was a family law matter. Working on that, and the many that came after, helped me to find my purpose and passion: to provide families with the stability and support they needed during challenging times. In 2013, I co-founded a successful law firm on the Central Coast, Ryan & Seton Lawyers. Having established myself as a specialist in advocacy work, and advising and acting on complex family law cases from start to finish, I became an Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 2017. Establishing Seton Family Lawyers in 2022 was a natural progression, allowing me to realise my vision of providing compassionate legal advocacy to families on the Central Coast. We specialise in family law services, criminal law services, and wills and estates.

What inspires you in your role/industry? Why?

I’m inspired by the power that family law has to create meaningful change in people’s lives, giving them the security, certainty and independence to better their future. Witnessing the resilience of families and their yearning for stability and safety, despite their circumstances, is a constant source of motivation and strength.

However, we have work to do as a profession. For years, family lawyers, especially those early in their careers, have faced issues with excessive working hours, exposure to emotionally draining matters, and extreme stress, causing many to quit from exhaustion. This has led to many brilliant lawyers leaving the profession, and making it harder for families to access local support when they need it. I believe in protecting young lawyers at risk and am committed to reshaping the legal profession, starting with my firm and our local regional professionals. I’m passionate about fostering a supportive work environment and advancing mental health and wellbeing initiatives so we can be there for families in their darkest hours.

What's your approach to client service that separates you from the rest?

My approach to client service is rooted in social intelligence, empathy and individualised support, leaning on my Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree and subsequent post-graduate qualifications. I strive to ensure that every client feels heard, valued, and supported throughout their legal journey and have built lasting relationships based on trust and transparency.

Our clients experience three key differences in our approach to family law:

• Family law expertise: As an Accredited Specialist, I have a high success rate in settling matters outside of court. That provides peace of mind to my clients, knowing that they have the best team on their side.
  

• Efficiency: We know that waiting long periods for legal advice can be burdensome on people. Our team uses emerging technology to reduce manual complexities to communicate efficiently and resolve matters faster.
  

• Strong values: Our company culture is built on strong values of education, connection, integrity, and sustainability, which drive our purpose and passion. As a leader and family lawyer, I prioritise meaningful connections and am proud of our diverse team's perspectives. Personally, I'm a devoted husband and father of three, committed to supporting my family's dreams.

How do you innovate and stay ahead of industry trends?

Innovation is at the heart of my approach to legal practice, where we stay ahead of industry trends by embracing education, technology, and community connection.

Since the beginning, I’ve integrated technology to enhance our legal services and remove lengthy manual processes. We seek to embrace new technologies, and the opportunities they present, including this year becoming verifiers for LawY, an AI platform that provides legal answers validated by qualified solicitors. This involvement deepens my team’s expertise and exposes us to diverse legal scenarios, improving outcomes for our clients while contributing to the development of students and legal professionals.

What is the toughest challenge you've faced in your role? How did you overcome it?

The toughest challenge I’ve faced in my career and my role is addressing the high levels of stress and burnout within the legal profession. It’s an issue that’s close to my heart. In 2021, I was on the verge of burnout, feeling overworked and losing my passion for law. With the help of my family and support network, I realigned my work with my values, leading to the creation of Seton Family Lawyers.

Recognising the profound impact of family law cases on mental health, in 2023 I launched the Ironbark Initiative to provide structured support for my team. This involved implementing practical measures like subsidies for self-care and paid community service hours. By creating a supportive and resilient work environment, I was able to alleviate some of the stress and build a more engaged and effective team. In 2023, this program helped reduce stress-related absences by 32% and increased job satisfaction by 36%.

What are some of your goals for the next 5 years?

Looking ahead, I have set ambitious goals that reflect my commitment to growth. Growth, for me, isn’t just about numbers; it’s about deepening the impact we have both within the legal profession and in the communities we serve.

As part of my firm’s value of sustainability, I’m committed to achieving net neutrality by 2029, having already significantly reduced our carbon footprint in the last 12 months.

Ultimately, I envision Seton Family Lawyers becoming the most trusted family law firm on the Central Coast, supported by our ongoing dedication to excellence, innovation, and community connection.

Seton Family Lawyers is a progressive family law firm, different from most. Led by Michael Seton, Solicitor Director and Accredited Specialist in Family Law, they assist clients with complex family matters on the Central Coast and beyond. They act with empathy and care, and enact their mission to give clients the security, certainty, and independence to better their future. By implementing workplace initiatives to improve the wellbeing of their team and supporting women in the industry, they aim to lead by example, setting the compass for the future direction of the firm and the legal profession at large.