Speaking & Training

Clarissa Rayward, ‘The Happy Family Lawyer’ is available for speaking opportunities both nationwide and internationally. As a business owner and entrepreneur Clarissa has regularly presented on issues that affect small business and daily work life.  Clarissa is a wife and mum and is passionate about the issues that particularly affect women in business, including work life ‘balance’ (or the lack thereof!), flexible work practices and the changing identity of working women.

As a divorce lawyer and author Clarissa has provided key note presentations on topics relating to relationships, love and life.  She has presented to the legal industry on a variety of topics including two day workshops in Collaborative Practice to the basics of family law.  Clarissa’s entrepreneurial approach to law has seen her regularly present on the changing face of the legal profession.

Clarissa has a deep passion for business and has grown her firm, Brisbane Family Law Centre from its inception in 2008 and then in 2010 launched her second business venture, Ma Belle Amie Coffee & Curiosities – cafe and gift store based in Brisbane.

Clarissa was a finalist in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Brisbane Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards established by the Brisbane Business News where her unique business skills were recognised and rewarded.

Clarissa is also author of the book Splitsville- How to separate, stay out of Court and stay friends published in 2015. She is also the author of “The Happy Family Lawyer” blog which is providing inspiration to not only lawyers but clients alike. Clarissa’s passion for family law and life is abundant throughout her blog.

In 2016 Clarissa launched her new venture ‘Happy Lawyer, Happy Life’ in response to the growing number of lawyers and other professionals reaching out to her looking for ways of finding ‘Happiness’ in their careers. Clarissa’s podcast and book both titled ‘Happy Lawyer, Happy Life’ offer insights and resources for legal professionals seeking fulfilling careers and happiness both in law and in their life outside of the law.

Due to the overwhelming response to her book and podcast, Clarissa has also launched two new initiatives to support and assist lawyers in their professional lives: “The Course” and “The Club”. Clarissa was recently recognised for this innovative platform, receiving the 2017 LexisNexis and Janders Dean Legal Innovation Index Award for “The Club”, an online community for entrepreneurial lawyers looking to make the best out of their business while making the best of their lives outside of the law.

For her continuing groundbreaking innovative ideas and projects, Clarissa was recently further acknowledged by the legal profession, receiving the 2017 Women Lawyer’s Association of Queensland’s Inaugural Trailblazer Award.

Clarissa is available to comment on all things relating to Divorce, Family Law and Collaborative Law, as well as matters that relate to owning and operating a Small Business – marketing, branding, culture, workplace flexibility, people and practices.