Practice. Support. Connect.
The Family Law Education Network Way
Written By Victoria Moss
Photography by Family Law Education Network
In 2021, amid the pressures of the second COVID-19 lockdown and an overhaul of the Family Law system via the Federal Circuit and Family Court’s new Central Practice Direction, one lawyer was receiving an unusual number of calls. Amanda Little, Managing Director of ALA Law, found herself fielding questions not just from clients, but from fellow practitioners. The profession was overwhelmed managing changes in their day to day lives and practice, lost in the reforms, and asking the same thing: “Are you across this?”
Rather than one-on-one discussions, Amanda did what she has become known for – she innovated. She created a central hub of support, a repository of legal knowledge, wellness advocacy, community connection and professional development. And so, the Family Law Education Network of Australia (FLENA, as it came to be known) emerged.
As part of its growth and evolution, the organisation has rebranded from FLENA, to the Family Law Education Network. This reflects its expanding reach beyond Australian borders, with New Zealand as the first jurisdiction to join the community. The rebrand signifies a broader commitment to supporting family law practitioners internationally, while maintaining the same trusted focus on education, collaboration, and meaningful connection.
A Network with Purpose
At its core, the Network isn’t just about delivering CLE units or generating legal precedents—it’s about changing the way family law is practiced in Australia. “It started as a values-based proposition,” explains Amanda. “Family lawyers are the forgotten victims of the court system. No one was taking care of us. I wanted to reconnect us as a community, create a one-stop support system, and make family law a better space to practice in.”
That space now includes everything from real-time legal updates and automated precedent suites to mentoring circles, business development sessions, wellness initiatives and one of the most dynamic Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs in the industry.
Innovation in Every Corner
With Amanda Little at the helm, the Family Law Education Network has taken a bold approach to changing the status quo. One of her guiding principles is that family lawyers are human beings first. The Network is built around that idea: education is important, but so is community, wellbeing, and connection. As Amanda puts it, “You can get education anywhere. What you need is somewhere to belong while you’re learning.”
That’s why the Network doesn’t follow a traditional lecture-style model. Instead, its sessions are built around interactivity, relevance and connection. Content is informed by current case law, real-world practice, and direct feedback from members.
In addition to CLE, one of the Network’s most innovative offerings is its automated and regularly updated precedent suite. Developed from Amanda’s own practice experience and continuously refined through practitioner feedback and legal developments, the precedent library saves members significant time and stress. As she explains, “It’s about giving lawyers back time to do the work that really matters—serving their clients and themselves.”
“ I wanted to reconnect us as a community, create a one-stop support system, and make family law a better space to practice in.”
A Culture of Collaboration
If there’s a word that keeps coming up in conversations with the team, it’s community. Whether it’s through emails, webinars, face-to-face events, or informal check-ins, the Family Law Education Network focuses on making every member feel seen.
Administration lead Amanda McAlister, who has been with the Network since its inception, remembers the early days well. “We were cold-calling lawyers, hoping they’d give us a go,” she laughs. “Now we get emails saying the precedents saved their practice. But it’s the relationships that matter most to me. I know so many of our members by name. We’re not just pushing out content—we’re creating a network where no one is just a number.”
Amanda McAlister, often working quietly behind the scenes, ensures every piece of content runs smoothly—from scheduling to member access, moderating webinars and handling queries.
“No two days are the same, but that’s what I love about it. We all step in wherever needed. There’s a rhythm to how we work—everyone backs each other.”
Disruptive by Design
From a brand and communication standpoint, Marketing Manager Ami Gandhi sees the Network as proudly different. “We’re not boxed in. We experiment. We test ideas that might seem crazy—but they work because we’re not afraid to be human.” Gandhi credits much of the Network’s impact to the way it balances professionalism with authenticity.
“ I wanted to reconnect us as a community, create a one-stop support system, and make family law a better space to practice in.”
Insight from the Inside
As Program Specialist, Member Engagement Lead and Head of New Zealand Operations, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with members and experiencing the heartbeat of this growing community. The culture within our team is dynamic and hardworking – we are always exploring new ideas to better serve the profession. The energy is focused on how to support family lawyers to practise in a more collaborative, sustainable way.
After over a decade practising family law myself, I understand just how heavy the day-to-day of this work can be. So it’s a real joy to now be part of delivering programs that are not only helpful but genuinely meaningful. I love speaking with our members—hearing what they need, learning how they’re innovating, and helping them feel supported in their journey.
One of the great highlights of this role has been interviewing practitioners from across Australia for this magazine. Time and again, I’ve been blown away by their creativity, generosity, and commitment to doing law differently—for the better. Our community is full of smart, vibrant individuals who are reshaping the profession; it’s incredibly inspiring.
What Amanda has created—and what we, as a team, continue to cultivate—is something that goes beyond a CLE provider or content platform. It’s a mindset, a commitment to community, growth, and support. I’m excited to bring that same spirit to the family law profession in New Zealand and help it flourish there too.
“What Amanda has created and what we, as a team, continue to cultivate—is something that goes beyond a CLE provider or content platform. It’s a mindset, a commitment to community, growth and support.”
What’s Next?
As the legal profession grapples with AI integration, legislative reform, and increasing practitioner burnout, The Family Law Education Network is pushing forward with a bold future in sight. “We want to lead,” says Ami Gandhi. “To always be one step ahead, bringing our community with us.” Whether it’s through disruptive tech, new CLE formats, or building out national in-person events, one thing is clear—The Family Law Education Network is not slowing down.
In March 2026, the Network will be staging their next huge event at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. The event is set to be an enormous, two-day extravaganza with multiple streams including Family Law, Collaborative Law, Business Development and Wills and Estates. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information soon about what promises to be a must-attend conference for our industry.
“We’re building a profession that lawyers can be proud to be part of again,” says Amanda.
“Where collegiality, kindness, and capability can co-exist. Because at the end of the day, we’re not just lawyers. We’re people.”
