By: Laura Davidson
Most divorce attorneys have a notoriously bad reputation for stoking the flames of conflict. Thankfully, there is a new wave of divorce attorneys emerging on to the scene who are lauded for taking a more compassionate approach to often volatile situations.
Enter Founding Attorney, Jolee E. Vacchi, of Foundations Family Law & Mediation Center (FFL), based in Worcester County, Massachusetts. With the tagline, “We strive to resolve family law conflicts as painlessly and peacefully as possible,” Jolee is an unassuming disruptor and redefines what it means to be a “good” divorce attorney.
As described by one of her clients: “I went through a heart-wrenching, awful custody battle with a shark (both my ex and his lawyer). Jolee was always professional with them even when they weren’t with us. She kept her composure and kept me calm. She showed her true mediation skills offering balanced and fair solutions. I was fortunate to have a calm, empathetic and smart lawyer on my side during one of the worst times in my life.”
We caught up with Jolee to learn more about her unique approach to resolving family law disputes.
QUESTION: Why did you choose to practice family law?
Jolee: I wanted to become a lawyer because I saw it as a helping profession. There is nothing more important to me than family, and when that foundation is disrupted through divorce and custody conflicts, it can rock families to their core. I help clear the fog during my clients’ darkest and most vulnerable moments and guide them to a brighter future beyond their wildest expectations. Practicing family law is deeply meaningful work with real-world consequences, and my commitment is to make a positive contribution within that system.
QUESTION: What is your favorite part about working on divorce cases?
Jolee: Going through a divorce offers the opportunity to completely begin anew. It is such a privilege being able to work with my clients at such a pivotal moment of transition in their lives. There are a lot of toxic relationships that people get stuck in for too long, and I love to help people get out of those situations and open up a whole new world of possibilities for their lives.
QUESTION: What part of your job is the most difficult?
Jolee: As a mother of two young children, it is extremely hard for me to see the negative effects that befall children entangled in family law conflicts. Far too often, it is the children who are the collateral damage of high-conflict co-parenting disputes and an inherently flawed family court system. I continually strive to bring the attention back onto the children when advising my clients, discussing settlement terms with the other side, and presenting arguments to the court.
QUESTION: How do you practice family law differently from most divorce attorneys?
Jolee: I lead with a very heart-centric approach— from Renee, my Office Liaison, who takes the initial discovery call, to the final court hearing and beyond; I guide my clients the way I would lead my closest friends, but with a few more boundaries. I deeply care about the best outcome for the entire family unit. There are a slew of negative stereotypes assigned to divorce attorneys. From being so money-hungry that they will prolong cases unnecessarily to being so overly aggressive in their pursuit of victory that they disregard the emotional toll it takes on the family members involved. To those attorneys, I say, victory at what cost? I encourage my clients to take the high road, to focus on solutions, and to not compromise their own values.
QUESTION: How do you envision the future of divorce law?
Jolee: The tides of divorce law are turning. More family law practitioners that I interact with are coming around to the mindset that the adversarial approach of traditional litigation does no favors for our clients and their families. Organizations such as VESTA Divorce bring together professionals from a variety of backgrounds to build a support team for clients and to foster collaboration. Divorce is being celebrated as the bold move and brave decision that it is by the Fresh Starts Registry. I think that the future of divorce law is very bright, and I’m so excited to be a part of it!
Visit the Foundations Family Law website for more information, and follow their Instagram.
Listen to the “Divorce Detox” podcast co-hosted by Attorney Vacchi on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
