Is Family Law the right branch of law for you?

Law is far from being a one stop shop of career opportunities. Every aspect of human life is governed by legislation, and requires a posse of sharp, educated, expert minds to help shape life in a way that is equitable, moral and fair. From banking and finance, to the environment, to employment, to construction, law students have an almost overwhelming array of choices.

One area of law that is often overlooked as not being lucrative or glamorous enough is family law. Making an application for a specific issue order, for example, does not quite hold the same exciting appeal as negotiating contracts for a global corporation. However, if there is one area that will always have a steady stream of work no matter what part of the country you live in, that area is family law.

It is definitely an area of law that should be of consideration for the right person. In this article we have outlined what we believe are the main characteristics required to be successful as a family law practitioner, and ask the questions you need to be asking yourself as to whether this pathway is right for you.

Empathy and Compassion

Family law is just that – law for helping families navigate their relationships with each other based on behaviours, commitments, dependents and responsibilities.

Often those at the heart of family legal struggles are victim of domestic abuse and coercive control, and the trauma that they have undergone could have seriously impacted their decision making process.  Consequently a family law practitioner needs a bucketful of empathy and compassion, and to stand firm in the face of quite often cruel adversity. Often the stories behind the family struggles can be heartbreaking, so a certain degree of emotional detachment is required without losing that vital empathy.

Negotiation and Mediation Skills

While negotiation and mediation are universal skills for law students, within the family law space they are often carried out within toxic circumstances with ex partners who are often narcissistic manipulators, adept at gaslighting and controlling situations.

Equally, when there are children involved, it can place your client in a more intensely emotional situation where they are prepared to capitulate too early out of fear of losing their children. The more skilled you are at mediation, the more you can ensure that your client and their children emerge from this with as little trauma as possible.

Resilience and Emotional Intelligence

Dealing with emotionally charged situations is a constant in family law practice and can take its toll on your own emotional wellbeing. You must cultivate your own internal source of resilience and emotional intelligence.

This is essential not just to ensure that you retain high levels of professionalism at tall times, providing steadfast support to your clients through tumultuous times. It also ensures that you are able to switch off at the end of the ay to recuperate from the intensity of the stress, minimizes the impact it can have on your mental health.

Is Family Law the Right Path for You?

Despite the negative picture painted in the previous paragraphs, family law is can also be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career path for many. By its very nature it is often a branch of law that attracts women, who are attracted to working on behalf of women who are attempting to extricate themselves, and their children, from often dangerous situations.

Ask yourself these following questions:

– Are you comfortable handling emotionally charged situations with empathy and sensitivity?

– Do you possess strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills?

– Are you prepared to continuously adapt to evolving legal frameworks and societal dynamics impacting family law practice?

– Can you maintain professional boundaries while providing empathetic support to clients during challenging times?

Is family law the right path for you? Armed with insight into the essential characteristics and considerations, you’re better equipped to make an informed decision about your future in the legal profession.