Staff spotlight: Ellen Smith

Ellen is a Senior Associate at Rae & Partners, practising in Family Law and also acting for clients in Child protection matters.

Ellen’s trajectory of experience has led her full circle, returning after 10 years to Rae & Partners since her initial encounter with them as a high school student. Ellen first earned her stripes in the mail room as a Year 9 student, subsequently leading her to a role in the mortgages team for a year after finishing year 12.

Possessing qualities not dissimilar to the heroine of the Australian classic Looking for Alibrandi (which served as a key inspiration for Ellen seeking a career as a lawyer) Ellen’s path into the legal field was clear from the get-go. Blazing in with determination and grit, Ellen gained a combined Arts/Law degree where she was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Leadership Award, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

Her career in family law and child safety was sealed after five years with McVeity Dean Lawyers – a small firm in Ulverstone of Family Law specialists – where Ellen cut her teeth as a young professional.

A week in the life

A day in Ellen’s week can vary from typical offices duties such as drafting Court documents, receiving and responding to correspondence, and meeting with clients, to work outside the office that sees her attending mediations, appearing before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in family law matters, and when engaging in Child Safety matters, appearing before the Magistrates Court of Tasmania.

A natural-born leader with a spirit of generosity, Ellen’s benevolent approach in her dealings sets her clients at ease. Her sensitivity to the anxiety and stress that tend to go hand-in-hand with significant life events such as divorce, serves to not only support her clients but empower them through what can be an incredibly difficult and messy period in their lives.

Ellen’s work at Rae & Partners is a testament to her dedication to serving clients with compassion and expertise. Her story is not just about legal practice but about the profound impact of helping individuals and families navigate through life's complexities with care and understanding.

If you would like to talk to Ellen about a legal matter, please get in touch.