Three ambitious mums begin partnership journey at family-friendly DDCS Lawyers

When family lawyer Emily Tighe returned to work in September following maternity leave, she stepped into a new role as a partner at DDCS Lawyers, Canberra.

Emily is one of three ambitious women who have recently been made partners at the firm. They will take on additional leadership and mentoring roles while continuing to service clients and raise their young families.

Estate lawyer Theresa Dowling and family lawyer Tina Lee have also started their journeys to partnership, providing an opportunity for the trio to support and encourage each other along the way.

DDCS managing partner Di Simpson said it was important to support the “super women” – professionally and emotionally – who were juggling work and life commitments.

“Each of the four founding partners here has had the joy of parenthood and we know the juggle of ‘doing it all’ very well,” Di said.

“We are delighted to announce these three wonderful senior associates have been made partners and it’s really lovely that they will be entering this journey together.

“This is going to be a fantastic foundation for them as partners in the future, and I’m sure they will build a wonderful connection and support each other as they face the challenges of motherhood and also the highs and lows of their new roles.”

Emily joined DDCS as a junior lawyer in April 2017 and has risen through the ranks, taking time out to have her first child in October 2020, and her second in November last year.

She said going on maternity leave never felt like an impediment to leadership opportunities at DDCS Lawyers.

Emily’s been able to take the next step in her career despite her time away from the office. She’s returned to work in a part-time capacity, allowing her the flexibility to continue to care for her young children.

“I’ve got mixed emotions. I feel sad about farewelling the beautiful newborn and baby chapter, but also excited and confident about being back at the coal face, knowing that the team will be really supportive when I need to balance work against the needs of my family,” Emily said.

“Being a partner means stepping up as a leader of the firm, taking part in making decisions and mentoring and supervising younger lawyers, as well as continuing my flow of work and providing a high level of service for my clients.”

Emily said there was a culture of celebrating and retaining skilled staff at DDCS, particularly when that meant supporting lawyer mums.

“It is clearly a value that the founding directors have honed over the life of the firm,” she said.

“It’s meant that we have been and will continue to be able to maintain a really strong, leading legal practice with talented and committed lawyers.”

Di said DDCS introduced a paid parental scheme more than a decade ago, “pretty unusual for a private law firm to offer at the time”.

“It was easy for us to do because we know how important our people are and how the realities of modern life places pressure on all of us,” she said.

“For many, the separation between work and home life becomes harder and harder.

“We’re a workplace that recognises that it’s a big job to go off and be a parent, and finding ways to make it easier for our staff to return to work in some capacity is something we feel deeply committed to.

“We want to support them financially, emotionally and with great help from the whole team when they return to work. It’s important for our team members to know that going on maternity leave and giving your children attention is not an impediment to making progress in our firm.”

Di was fortunate to receive paid parental leave in her former workplace more than 16 years ago and, when DDCS formed, she started on a part-time basis when her youngest was only two years of age – so she understands the challenges faced by young mums.

“They’re juggling the organic madness of home life and parenting, and usually welcome the structure and simplicity that comes with returning to work,” she said.

“We want to be as supportive as we can for these very talented young partners we have.

“Paid parental leave is one thing, but we want to support them to be partners, taking on extra responsibility while understanding the pull of being attentive parents.”

After giving birth and raising children, Di said women brought a new skillset back to the workplace, particularly important when working in the area of family law.

“Young mums have outstanding time management skills – what needs to be done, gets done – and they’re really good at prioritising the things that matter and not getting bogged down in the little things,” she said.

“I think they also gain a deeper compassion and understanding of human fragility that comes with the highs and lows of being a parent.

“Parenting can give you a different perspective and also hones your sense of humour when things don’t go as planned – good humour and commonsense are things these three women have in spades.”

Emily said being a mum had taught her to balance “lots of demands at the same time”.

“Our efficiency is absolutely second to none. It’s amazing what you can get done within school and day care hours,” she said.

“You also gain an extra appreciation for the pressures that families are facing, and a heightened empathy for the needs of the parents and young children that we’re helping in our work.”

The team at DDCS Lawyers offers a compassionate approach to all aspects of family law, combined with advice to guide you through the emotional and financial challenges that life brings.

REGION MEDIA PARTNER CONTENT