Speaking with Lawyers Weekly, Melanie Vairawanathan, the founder and principal lawyer of Melmark Law, revealed the strategies she has identified as most effective in fostering a harmonious balance between operating a law firm and fulfilling her responsibilities as an involved parent.

Strategies

One of the most effective strategies identified by Vairawanathan for balancing the responsibilities of managing a firm while being an engaged parent is “setting clear boundaries”.

For Vairawanathan, this means that when she dedicates time to be with her family, she ensures that “work stays out of the picture”. She shared how she makes this possible by “being transparent” with her clients and colleagues about her availability.

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An additional essential strategy that Vairawanathan has employed to achieve balance in both domains is the practice of delegation.

She articulates that she has a deep sense of trust within her team “to take ownership of projects”, allowing her to maintain an active presence at home while ensuring that the business operates effectively in her absence.

While acknowledging the challenges involved, Vairawanathan stressed the power of “saying no” when necessary. She shared that this may involve “turning down extra tasks that could overwhelm my schedule or rescheduling meetings for a better time”.

Vairawanathan said: “Ultimately, it’s about recognising that both roles – being a lawyer and a parent – are incredibly important. Finding balance requires ongoing adjustments, and it’s not about achieving perfection. It’s about being mindful, intentional, and flexible in both areas of your life.”

How to set clear boundaries

For Vairawanathan, setting clear boundaries for herself “is like being the bouncer at the club of my life”, where her mission is to keep the “good vibes flowing for both work and family” but ensuring that “neither side takes over the dance floor”.

In a professional sense, Vairawanathan has established these boundaries by communicating “clear expectations” to both her clients and colleagues regarding her availability. Even though there is a desire to be everywhere, she acknowledged the reality that “I can’t be in two places at once”.

To achieve this, Vairawanathan uses calendar blocking, which allows her to “carve out focused work hours and uninterrupted family time”. By doing this, she stated, “I can be 100 per cent there for my clients when needed, but also fully present at home without any distractions”.

In a personal sense, she treats her time with her family as “sacred” time. This means that Vairawanathan disconnects from emails during dinner time and avoids phone calls while spending quality time with her son.

Vairawanathan recognised that transitioning from ingrained “business owner habits” to a more balanced approach is often more challenging than it may seem. However, she shared, “I’ve learned that stepping away and really being in the moment with my family makes all the difference”.

She emphasised that setting boundaries is “all about being intentional and consistent”, as this approach allows her to “truly show up” for both her clients and her family.

Vairawanathan added: “It’s a work in progress, but setting these boundaries ensures I’m not running on empty and can give everyone, including myself, the attention we deserve.”

Words of advice

While Vairawanathan has developed clear strategies for juggling work and family life, she reminds fellow lawyers in similar situations that “it’s OK to not have everything figured out all the time”.

“We often put immense pressure on ourselves to excel in every aspect of our lives, but finding balance is a journey, not a destination,” she said.

One of the most valuable lessons she gained from her journey is the importance of “setting realistic expectations”, not only for oneself but also for others around you.

She articulated the necessity of recognising that “you won’t always be able to attend every meeting or event”, and “that’s OK”.

Vairawanathan also shared the significance of “leaning on your support network”, whether that be on a professional level through a “trusted colleague who can handle cases in your absence” or on a personal level by having a “partner who shares in the responsibilities at home”.

However, Vairawanathan emphasised the importance of showing “yourself grace”. She reminds those that there will inevitably be days where you will miss a work deadline or a significant family moment, but she acknowledges the necessity of recognising that “it’s not the end of the world”.

She said: “Be kind to yourself and remember that striving for balance doesn’t mean achieving perfection. Sometimes, balance is about making small adjustments and being flexible with your time, without feeling guilty. Your career and family are both important, and with the right mindset and support, you can find a way to honour both.”