Why work with me
A sole-practitioner family law firm — your matter, handled personally.
The case for choosing a small, focused practice over a larger firm — and how I work with clients in family law, Jewish family law and property law across Melbourne.
You work with me — not a junior solicitor
At a 10- or 50-person family law firm, the partner you meet at the initial consultation is rarely the person who runs your matter day-to-day. The work is delegated to junior solicitors with one or two years of post-admission experience. They are usually competent, but they are not the senior lawyer you thought you hired. Here, I am the firm. From the first phone call to the final consent order, you deal with me directly. The same person who took your initial brief is the one drafting your court documents, attending your mediation, and arguing your matter if it goes to a hearing.
A real specialty in Jewish family law
Most Melbourne family lawyers will tell you they can handle a Jewish divorce. Fewer have actually coordinated a get with the Melbourne Beth Din. Fewer still understand how a halachic prenuptial agreement interacts with an Australian Binding Financial Agreement, or why a halachic will needs to be drafted with the Victorian Family Provision regime in mind. My practice is built around this intersection — not as a list item, but as a core area of work. The Jewish Divorce Pillar Guide on the insights page is a 2,750-word demonstration of what that depth looks like in writing.
Transparent costs and Legal Aid
Initial consultations are free. At that consultation I will give you a realistic estimate of the cost range for your matter — based on the actual complexity, not a generic quote. Fees are disclosed in writing under the Legal Profession Uniform Law before any work begins. Victorian Legal Aid is available for eligible clients — and I act on Legal Aid grants directly. Where appropriate, I will discuss fixed fees or staged payments for genuine financial hardship.
I will tell you when you don't need a lawyer
Not every legal problem needs a lawyer. Sometimes the right advice is to attempt family dispute resolution first, or to use the LIV free legal advice service, or to attend at Magistrates' Court without representation. I will tell you honestly when that is the case. The point is to solve your problem, not to extract the maximum number of billable hours from your matter.
Realistic advice, not optimistic estimates
When you come in for a free initial consultation, I will give you an honest assessment of your situation — the realistic settlement range under the four-step property settlement process, the likely cost spectrum from negotiated outcome to contested hearing, and the time horizon to expect. If your matter looks straightforward, I will say so. If it looks difficult or expensive, I will say that too. The goal is for you to make an informed decision about whether and how to engage a lawyer.
Plain language, not legal jargon
Family law is dense. The Family Law Act, the Federal Circuit and Family Court Rules, and the practice directions of the various registries fill many hundreds of pages. My job is to translate the relevant parts of all that into plain English so you can make decisions about your own life. If you ever leave a meeting or read a letter from me and don't understand it, I have failed at part of my job. Tell me and I will try again.
How a small firm compares
A general comparison between this firm and a typical mid-sized Melbourne family law practice. Specifics vary by firm.
| What matters | With me | Typical mid-size firm |
|---|---|---|
| Day-to-day lawyer | Elisa Rothschild (principal) | Usually a junior solicitor |
| Jewish family law depth | Dedicated practice area + 10 published guides | Usually one page or a paragraph |
| Fees | Realistic estimate at the free consultation | Often opaque until engagement |
| Legal Aid | Available for eligible clients | Frequently not offered |
| Initial consultation | Free, no obligation | Sometimes paid, sometimes free |
| Response time | One business day or sooner | Variable |
The first conversation is free.
I will listen to your situation, give you an honest read of where you stand, and tell you whether and how I can help. No obligation, no pressure to engage.