In an industry often synonymous with high stress and burnout, Umbrella Family Law is challenging the status quo. Founded in 2018 by Jane and Eve—two lawyers determined to practise differently—this Melbourne-based family law firm is proof that compassion and commercial success can coexist.
What makes Umbrella Family Law stand out isn’t just their legal acumen—though they certainly have that in spades—but the unwavering focus on human connection, mental wellbeing, and redefining the lawyer-client relationship. “We’re not special. We’re not above anyone else. We’re humans first, lawyers second,” says Eve, a dual UK and Australian-qualified lawyer who teamed up with Jane after a chance job interview sparked something more.
Built from Values, Not Just Vision
The story of Umbrella Family Law began not with a business plan, but with shared values. “We got to a point in our careers where we asked ourselves, ‘Is this it?’” Eve recalls. “We were working hard, doing good work—but within structures that didn’t reflect who we were as people.”
They both knew there was a better way to do family law—one rooted in empathy, transparency, and client support. So they built it.
At Umbrella Family Law, values are lived every day. The firm’s philosophy is grounded in practical, emotional, financial, and legal support. Clients don’t just get legal strategy—they get a welcome video from Jane and Eve, a custom intake process designed to get to the heart of their situation before the first meeting, and, if needed, direct access to Jane and Eve for personal check-ins. “We sometimes give them pointers on their CV or point them in the right direction of the best person to help if they want to set up a small business, for example.” Says Eve. “We like to provide guidance around the practical and emotional, as well as the financial and legal.”
Practising Law Without Losing Yourself
For Jane and Eve, creating a values-led business meant challenging long-standing cultural norms within the legal profession.
“Law can be a really isolating, emotionally exhausting profession, especially family law,” Eve explains. “We’ve both had times in our careers where we felt like square pegs in round holes—like the way we wanted to work didn’t fit the mould.”
Now, they’re not just practising differently—they’re leading differently.
Their firm encourages flexibility, discourages hierarchy, and openly invites staff to bring their whole selves to work. Lawyers are encouraged to play to their strengths, and files are shared in a way that values timeliness and teamwork over ownership and ego.
Culture That Walks the Talk
Umbrella Family Law’s team culture is one many firms aspire to, but few achieve. Mental health days are freely available—no doctor’s note required. Chocolate is in steady supply. A shared jigsaw puzzle sits in the kitchen for anyone needing a screen break. A firm WhatsApp thread buzzes with pet photos, TV tips, and daily banter. Staff are trusted, supported, and encouraged to prioritise life when it matters most.
This ability to balance structure with humanity has created a firm culture that is not only sustainable but genuinely joyful. “We really care about our people,” Jane explains. “We want to avoid that Sunday-night dread that too many people in this profession experience. If someone needs a mental health day, they take it. If someone’s going through something personally, we offer real support.”
Their approach challenges many traditional assumptions about law firm leadership. At Umbrella Family Law, strength is not about ego or hierarchy—it’s about connection, shared vision, and understanding when to step forward and when to let the other shine. “We’ve built something that feels true to who we are,” Jane reflects. “And we’ve done it together.”
Letting Go of the Wrong Clients
It’s not just about staff wellbeing. Jane and Eve also believe in preserving the wellbeing of their entire firm—sometimes by letting go of the wrong clients.
“We’ve made a conscious decision not to act for people who are a poor fit for our values or approach,” Jane says. “We’d rather walk away than risk the impact that kind of matter can have on a lawyer’s mental health or the culture we’ve built.”
Scaling Without Losing Soul
While some values-driven businesses cap their growth to preserve their ethos, Umbrella Family Law has done the opposite—scaling steadily while maintaining their heart.
From working on laptops in lounge rooms to running a 16-person team across multiple locations, Jane and Eve have grown thoughtfully. Key to their success has been building infrastructure (like their custom client intake tool), partnering with values-aligned services like JustFund, and maintaining a deliberate, personal onboarding process.
Partners in Practice: The Strength of Complementary Leadership
One of the most compelling aspects of Umbrella Family Law is the partnership between co-founders —a dynamic duo who prove that mutual respect, values alignment, and complementary skills can be the foundation of an extraordinary legal practice.
From the outset, their collaboration has been grounded not just in shared professional goals but in a remarkably aligned vision for how family law should be practised. “We don’t argue,” Eve says matter-of-factly. “People assume you must have disagreements when you’re in business together, but we really don’t. We’re just incredibly aligned in our values.”
That doesn’t mean they’re carbon copies of one another. On the contrary, it’s their differences that make the partnership thrive. “We have some differences of personality,” Jane adds. “But we play to our strengths. I look after HR, Eve’s got a stronger handle on the finances. We joke that if it were just me, the firm wouldn’t have any money—and if it were just Eve, HR would be very different!”
Their clear division of responsibilities doesn’t just support the business—it also sets the tone for a workplace culture grounded in empathy and collaboration.
Looking Ahead
Umbrella Family Law isn’t slowing down. Jane and Eve have plans for continued expansion—both in teams of size and impact. Their long-term vision includes broadening the way the public sees lawyers: not just as legal professionals, but as life problem-solvers.
“There will always be litigation,” Jane says. “But more and more, we want people to see lawyers as partners in their healing and rebuilding—not just advocates in court.”
If the success of Umbrella Family Law is anything to go by, the profession may be ready for that shift. With their client-first ethos, genuine team culture, and unapologetically human approach, Jane and Eve are showing what’s possible when lawyers practice in a way that aligns with their values.
