Dear Clients,
As you may have experienced, Family Law is frequently an emotionally charged area of practice. As a Family Lawyer, I often find myself in the midst of highly emotional and complex disputes involving children, the family home, the family pet and peoples most valued possessions. The role I play is not just legal; it is also profoundly human. In such sensitive matters, staying calm and practising mindfulness can make all the difference in achieving favourable outcomes for my clients and their families.
I actively encourage a “Zen” approach which can significantly reduce the intensity of conflict, encouraging healthier communication and increase the potential for amicable resolution. When lawyers embody calmness, we can set the tone for negotiations, inspiring our clients to act with greater restraint, dignity and focus. A composed demeanour can de-escalate tensions, promote clarity, and enhance the decision-making processes during your family law dispute.
So how do I do it? It is not easy. Each day I make a choice to undertake the following (although not in order of priority):
- journal
- read on my Kindle
- spend time with those I love including my daughter Demi and dog Poppy
- exercise through pushing myself at Pilates or calming myself at Yoga and Nidra
- watch podcasts: I love Mel Robbins and Neuroscientist Dr Rangan Chatterjee
- eat healthy (mostly)
- try and avoid alcohol, late night TV and too much screen time
These are things I also encourage my clients to do to soothe their nervous system which is likely to be in a state of panic. Panic is counterintuitive to resolution.
I recently decided to upskill by completing a Mediator Course and Assessment through the College of Law. I am now a Nationally Accredited Mediator registered with the Resolution Institute. I have seen first-hand the transformative power of guided discussions and thoughtful resolution techniques. Mediation helps to create a space where parties feel heard and validated, steering disputes away from unnecessary confrontation and towards a fair and lasting settlement. This philosophy of calmness underpins both my approach to legal practice and my mediation work.
By fostering calmness in our legal practices, we can turn what is often seen as adversarial into an opportunity to inspire constructive dialogue and foster cooperative problem-solving.
The world can be a tough place but your kindness will not go unnoticed. Let’s take back your power and resolve your dispute sooner rather than later.
Warm regards,
Elena Leonardos
Barrister, Solicitor and Mediator
Founder of Adelaide Legal Solutions