We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brittany Goodlett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

The legal field is notoriously resistant to change, but the biggest evolution I’ve seen over the course of my career is the seismic shift toward mediation and other alternative dispute resolution formats. Rather than relying on a judge to decide their case, couples using these methods can work together with the help of their attorneys to resolve the issues of their divorce. Few cases were resolved through these methods when I was first sworn in as an attorney almost 15 years ago, but now attorney-assisted mediation has grown into a major focus of my practice. The gradual move toward these methods exploded even more once COVID forced many courts to shut down, only to be inundated with a backlog of cases after re-opening.

Mediation isn’t the best fit for everyone, but many of my clients have found it beneficial for myriad reasons. Perhaps the biggest is that they can craft bespoke agreements tailored to their next stage in life because—unlike a judge—they aren’t restricted by a cookie cutter application of legal principles such as “routine” parenting schedules and alimony guidelines. This flexibility can be particularly helpful for individuals with complex financial estates or unique compensation arrangements like business owners, entrepreneurs and high-level business executives.

But there are other reasons as well. Divorces are often resolved much quicker through mediation than through traditional divorce litigation, which can drag on for years, unfortunately. Many of my clients, whether or not high-profile clients, like the additional privacy offered by avoiding the courtroom. And, crucially for those with children, alternative dispute resolution can help lay the foundation for a healthy post-divorce co-parenting relationship that will endure long after the couple has parted ways.

Attorney-assisted mediation is a different type of practice for many family law attorneys, and it requires a different skill set. It is collaborative in nature, meaning that the attorneys assisting the couple must be solution-oriented and interested in understanding each person’s viewpoint and motivations (something not often displayed in typical court settings). Creativity is also key, given the flexibility to customize arrangements to best fit the parties’ interests. The more complex the issues, the more room there is to find solutions that meet the needs of all involved. The “out of the box” thinking required in these circumstances can be difficult for attorneys used to working in oppositional settings.

My extensive experience with these formats has refined my skills in these settings. I work hand-in-hand with my clients to understand the life they are looking to build post-divorce, and I develop strategies to achieve their goals. Advocacy is not checked at the door in mediation. But mediation allows me to communicate my client’s needs, advocate their positions respectfully, and work creatively and tirelessly to craft a solution that is tailored to their unique individual needs. For all of the challenges my clients face when going through their divorces, I have found working through the issues collaboratively to be incredibly rewarding.

There will always be a need for the traditional divorce process, but given the benefits to be gained by using mediation, I expect the trend towards these types of alternative dispute resolution formats to continue long into the future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a partner in the Chicago office of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, one of the nation’s largest family law firms, with a practice that specializes in solving my clients’ most complex problems, whether financial or parenting related. With almost 15 years of experience working with business owners, executives, and their spouses, I have a nuanced understanding of the issues that can arise for high-net-worth individuals during a divorce.

I am well-versed in financial analysis and business valuation, but as a mother of three young children, I know that the impact of divorce can reach far beyond the balance sheet. With a background in human development and family studies from the University of Illinois, I possess a deep comprehension of diverse family dynamics. My passion lies in crafting innovative solutions to safeguard my clients’ interests. In addition to my Illinois-based practice, I have also handled numerous high-stakes litigation cases involving international parenting disputes and cross-jurisdictional disputes. In an era where we have seen a shift towards marrying later in life, or not marrying at all, my practice also includes negotiating prenuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements, and working with clients who share children but never marry.

I am a skilled litigator with extensive courtroom experience, and have successfully litigated at both the federal and state levels. But I also appreciate that in many situations the best result for my clients can be obtained at the negotiation table or in collaborative mediation settings. I have devoted a considerable part of my practice toward honing my skills in these methods.

For all of its challenges, divorce doesn’t have to be mean or ugly. I am committed to putting my clients in the best possible position for the next chapter of life—whatever that may be. When seeking a divorce attorney, you deserve an advocate who truly cares about your future.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

As cliché as it sounds, in my experience the best source of new clients is previous clients. The legal industry is often opaque—sometimes intentionally so. Searching for a lawyer can be daunting, particularly when dealing with something as intimate as divorce. In an era where one can access a thousand lawyers with a click of a mouse, a recommendation from a trusted friend or colleague still carries weight.

Recognition of this fact drives the service experience of my clients. I know they are placing their trust in me during one of the most challenging times of their lives. Upholding this trust requires more than just legal acumen, it requires empathy. So I take a holistic approach, seeking to understand not only the facts of my clients’ case, but their motivations and interests. These emotional aspects are often just as important than the legal aspects of their divorce and are critical to develop a winning strategy. This communication leads to connection, and connection leads to client satisfaction. My satisfied clients who refer me to their network do not need a curated marketing pitch. They offer genuine and first-hand experience as a testament to my abilities.

Whether from a past client (or their ex-spouse), or my client’s advisors who I worked alongside during their case, a direct referral is always the highest compliment I could ever receive.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Every case is a team effort, and I’m a firm believer that nobody rises to low expectations. Admittedly, I demand a lot from my team—just as my clients rightfully demand a lot from me. But I also believe in empowering my team members to reach their full potential and giving the recognition they deserve when they exceed expectations. There is no room for hierarchical thinking, and each person has a different perspective and viewpoint to offer and is expected to contribute in their own way.

Communication is critical to ensure that everyone understand their role, especially the ever-changing shape that some divorce cases can take. I make it a priority to understand the individual motivations of each team member and assign tasks that align with their skillset. Our overarching aim in every case is the success of our clients, and I lead by example, embodying the dedication and commitment required to achieve their goals. I aspire to serve as a mentor to younger attorneys, drawing from my own journey to partnership in just seven years, the fastest track at our firm.

But working hard does not mean only working. As a mom of three young children finding a work life balance has its challenges. Many of my team members are also working parents. I encourage my team to tend to their family needs and I practice what I preach. I am proud that my kids will grow up seeing my dedication to my clients, but they will also know I’ll still make it to their big dance recital. Encouraging my team’s family life balance results in a stronger work ethic and dedication to our clients whether or not they’re on the clock.

My team-based approach extends beyond the team directly working on a given case. One of my favorite things about working at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP is the ability to strategize on certain issues with my partners, who are some of the sharpest minds in the family law field. Our firm’s deep practice encompasses attorneys with extensive expertise in various specialized fields, such as forensic accounting, financial planning, tax certifications and other related areas that are highly relevant to family law. This unique breadth of knowledge and experience empowers me to offer comprehensive and innovative solutions to my clients’ complex challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sdflaw.com/team/detail/brittany-heitz-goodlett/bio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdflaw/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-heitz-goodlett-21154a2b/