Supporting Clients While Protecting Ourselves: Trauma-Informed Tools for Family Law Professionals

This presentation will explore how trauma-informed lawyering can improve both client experiences and lawyer well-being. Participants will gain an understanding of how trauma may appear in family law settings and why awareness of it is essential to ethical, effective advocacy. The discussion will focus on practical ways to apply trauma-informed principles to everyday legal practice with particular attention to family law contexts. The presentation will also address vicarious trauma, burnout, and moral distress among legal professionals, offering strategies to recognize and respond to these challenges in a sustainable way.

Stephanie Smith, Founding Partner, Court Coach LLP

Stephanie Smith is a founding partner at Court Coach LLP in Ottawa and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2010. She practices exclusively in family law and child protection, with a particular focus on helping self-represented litigants navigate the court process. She has taught Family Law Advocacy at the University of Ottawa, where she also serves as a guest lecturer for several courses and a coach for the Dispute Resolution and Professional Responsibility Program.

An active member of the Child Protection Defence Association of Ottawa (CPDAO) Executive Committee, Stephanie helps organize the Child Protection Hustle and volunteers with Immigrant Women’s Services Ottawa (IWSO), providing pro bono legal services to women in crisis. Together with her colleague Giulianna Ferri, she has delivered family law presentations in a variety of professional forums.

Outside of her practice, Stephanie enjoys travelling the world and playing baseball.

Giulianna Ferri, Senior Associate, Court Coach LLP

Giulianna joined Court Coach LLP in 2018. She has been practicing family law and child protection in Ottawa since her call to the Ontario bar in 2015. Giulianna is experienced in guiding clients through all issues surrounding separation and divorce. Her trauma-informed approach recognizes the profound emotional impact of family law disputes and prioritizes safety, empowerment, and choice throughout the legal process. She is committed to resolving matters outside of court whenever possible, while also bringing extensive litigation experience when court intervention is necessary.

Giulianna is passionate about fostering a more empathetic and client-centered culture within the practice of family law. Giulianna is an active member of the Child Protection Defence Association of Ottawa (CPDAO) and helps organize the Child Protection Hustle. She has served as a guest lecturer for several courses at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, as well as a coach for their Dispute Resolution and Professional Responsibility Program. Together with her colleague Stephanie Smith, Giulianna has delivered family law presentations on a variety of topics for various professional and community organizations.

Outside of her legal practice, Giulianna is a mother of two young children, ages 3 and 5, whom she parents with her spouse.

Meeting link and materials will be sent a day prior to the event.