Associate Spotlight: Floriane Laruelle

Our Associate Spotlight turns the focus to the brilliant Associates at Dawson Cornwell.  Here we highlight the breadth and depth of experience in the firm, as well as the wide range of personalities and interests that make us who we are.

Floriane Laruelle, a senior associate in the Children Department who qualified in 2020, is first to share.

What type of work do you undertake at Dawson Cornwell?
I am a solicitor specialising in Children Law – more specifically international abduction, international private children disputes, relocation, and other aspects.

Why did you want to get into law, and what led you to family law?
I wanted to be judge for children when I was a child. My parents had a litigious divorce when I was six, and I wanted to make sure my experiences were not shared by other children.

What has been your biggest career challenge?
I really struggle with unfairness. I had one case some years ago where I believe the outcome was unfair, and I found it very hard to move on from it.

Like many family lawyers, I also find the increasing delays in family proceedings hard to deal with. There are currently enormous delays in cases being listed for hearings. Some fact-finding hearings are being listed with over a year’s wait. This is hugely detrimental to children as contact with one parent can sometimes be paused while we wait for that hearing. The children are growing up quickly during that time and their bond with that parent is destroyed by the lapse of time; it cannot always be rebuilt easily. This, in turn, impacts on the amount of contact they will have with that parent in the long term. I always try my best to get listing as quickly as possible, but it is hard.

And your biggest success?
Successfully standing up for what I knew was morally correct even though there was no actual law in place to deal with the issue.  

It led us to be creative, and it was successful because the other side were so obviously morally wrong. It felt good to achieve a win both morally and legally.  

What do you think is the biggest issue facing family law at the moment?
Timescale. Clients sometimes have to wait for over a year for a fact-finding hearing, and during that time their children are growing up and they have no contact. It’s obviously very distressing for them, and the system needs to get better at helping families more quickly.

Do you have any advice for people looking at a career in family law?
Be practical. Parents that are coming for your help do not need theoretical law debates; they need solution to do what is best for their children and not stay in proceedings forever.

Stay objective and focused on your task. You deal with some really distressing cases where emotions run high. It’s very easy to get embroiled in your client’s emotions but you cannot allow your judgement to be clouded by it. The best way to help your client is to deliver realistic and clear advice regardless of the situation. This is your role. There are other professionals specially trained to assist with your client’s emotional wellbeing.

How do you unwind after work?
Climbing, skiing, pottery, and puzzles. I either completely disappear into the mountains for days with no cell coverage, or I make bowls, plates, and puzzles for hours.

In the evening, I tend to do puzzles before bed. I also sometimes do a short hike with my Dachshund, Marlowe. If I watch telly, I get too wired and I can’t sleep. We should all try to make time for non-screen hobbies and relaxation.

How do you start your day?
I often do my emails in bed with a cup of green tea, but each day starts differently really.

In the winter I sometimes wake up at 5am, head up the mountain, have breakfast there, and ski down.

In summer I sometimes go for a short climb. Sometimes, I go to yoga or pottery.

What’s at the top of your bucket list?
I’d really like to go to the moon. It’s going to be more affordable soon. I’m watching this closely.

Floriane Laruelle

Please note that this blog is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content of this blog.