What Is The Retreat You Ask?

It's the most colourful event in #Lawland!

The Retreat is a vibrant 3-day (or 2-day) experience created by a boutique law firm leader, for boutique law firm leaders. Now in its 9th year, it’s where colour, connection, and sharp thinking collide, all wrapped around this year’s theme: Still Different – Reimagining Boutique Practice in a New Era.

Across the weekend, you’ll connect with like-minded peers, hear from bold thinkers inside and beyond the legal profession, and walk away with fresh ideas, practical strategies, and renewed energy for the road ahead. It’s time to pause, reflect, and rethink what’s possible for your firm, on your terms.

The Retreat is your chance to connect with like-minded lawyers from across Australia who share your passion for law and the drive to stay 'Still Different' in reimagining boutique practice.

download THE PROGRAM HERE

Still the Retreat You Love. Still Different in All the Right Ways.

Join us from 30 October - 1 November

Back at The Island — Because It’s Just That Good
We’re heading back to The Island Boutique Hotel in Surfers Paradise for The Retreat 2025, and we can’t wait to do it all again.

Fun, bright, and just five minutes from the beach, it’s the perfect place to recharge, reconnect, and reimagine what’s next for your firm.

And This Year’s Dinner? A Little Bit Spooky, A Whole Lot of Fun
We’re throwing a Halloween-themed bash on Friday night, so get ready to #trickortreat, Retreat-style! Costumes are encouraged (but not compulsory), and fun is absolutely guaranteed. Think eerie cocktails, playful surprises, and maybe a few skeletons on the dance floor. 🎃👻

A New Speaker Line-up, Still Different
We’re welcoming a host of exciting new voices to the stage! But don’t worry, some of your favourite regulars are back to keep things fresh and familiar. We’re bringing together the best minds in boutique law to dive deep into the future of practice, offering insights that you’ll only get here.

Still Different — Reimagining What’s Next for Boutique Law
This year’s theme, Still Different: Reimagining Boutique Practice in a New Era, speaks to where boutique law is headed next. A decade ago, you challenged tradition and built something bold. Now, as the pace quickens and expectations rise, it’s time to evolve again.

At The Retreat 2025, we’ll explore how to stay true to what made you different, while reimagining your firm, your leadership, and your impact for the future.

You’re still different. Let’s make that your superpower.

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM HERE

Still Different - and Ready for What's Next?

This is your moment to:

  • Reimagine how to take your boutique law firm to the next level, even as a time-poor entrepreneur, and stay true to what makes you Still Different.
  • Connect with top legal minds, and learn from their wins, challenges, and everything in between.
  • Harness the right tech to elevate client experience and free up space for what matters most.
  • Build smarter systems and strategies that support growth, sustainability and impact.
  • Create a workplace culture your team loves, and that reflects your values.
  • Lead with purpose and confidence, without losing sight of your wellbeing.

Why Us?

Happy Lawyer Happy Life is not your typical law firm coaching service. Founded by one of Australia’s leading family lawyers and the owner of Brisbane Family Law Centre, we’re dedicated to inspiring and educating passionate lawyers. Our mission is to empower you to build a clear, actionable strategy to grow your practice with confidence. Join us for a transformative weekend filled with fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and practical tools you can implement right away to elevate your business.

What you'll walk away with:

In just a few days, you’ll gain practical insights and forward-thinking strategies to help you lead, grow, and reimagine your firm, without losing yourself in the process.

  • Fresh perspectives on leadership, culture and purpose-led business.
  • Smarter, simpler ways to build your brand, elevate client experience and grow revenue.
  • Real-world tools to stay ahead of tech, AI and digital marketing trends.
  • Proven ideas for growing a boutique firm that works for your life, not the other way around.
  • Clarity on how your personal goals can shape a business that truly works for you.
  • Renewed confidence in your vision, and the tools to bring it to life.
  • Meaningful connections with peers who get it (and plenty of laughs along the way!)
  • And yes… a whole lot of fun, colour, and creativity to keep your spark alive.
GRAB YOUR RETREAT IN A BOX HERE

The 2025 Retreat starts in...

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About the Organiser — Meet Clarissa Rayward

Clarissa is an accredited specialist family lawyer and the Director of Brisbane Family Law Centre. She also runs Happy Lawyer Happy Life, a wellness initiative born from her own journey through burnout. Today, it’s a thriving community of active members, all belonging to or owning Australian law firms. Clarissa is a wife, proud mother of two, and a self-confessed fine chocolate lover. Outside of work, she enjoys dancing and crafting in her free time.

“In August 2022, I received the Agnes McWhinney Award – an honour presented by the Queensland Law Society acknowledging my efforts in making #lawland a happier place and changing the narrative for female lawyers.

“In 2019, I was recognised as the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards Wellness Advocate of the Year, and I was the inaugural winner of the Minds Court Individual Wellness Advocate in Law.

“While I’m immensely proud of my achievements, I’m driven by changing the way lawyers practise law – so we can strive for better work-life balance without suffering from burnout.

“I can’t wait to personally welcome you to The Retreat this coming October – I hope you can be part of this powerful experience!”

Thank you to our 2025 Event Sponsors

We partner with businesses that share our commitment to reimagining boutique law.
If you value innovation, genuine connection, and empowering lawyers to lead differently, we’d love to work with you.

Brisbane Family Law Centre
Brisbane Family Mediation Centre
Download our partnership document here

Kind words from those who’ve been there
(and keep coming back)...

I have found the Retreat amazingly valuable to my business. I have found it packed full of really important information about not maintaining my business but actually seeing real improvements, improvements that are not only imminent but also that stand the test of time. I still carry around with me (to refer to every now and then as routine and or when I feel like I need a boost to see how successful my business is) my notes in my work carry bag. That is a testament to how valuable the Retreat has been! Highly highly recommend it!
Paul CottPrincipal Lawyer
Paul Cott
I have attended The Retreat since 2018. Though I didn’t know it at the time, my business, “The Remote Expert” was conceived there. That first Retreat was 2 days full of big ideas sprinkled with a-ha moments and glitter. 3 months later my business baby was born! Since then it’s been an evolution of finding a niche for my business and trying new ideas constantly. Some of those ideas haven’t worked for me but others have been spectacular and much of that inspiration stems from The Retreat. Finally, after 18 years in the law of feeling like a square peg in a round hole I found my square, though ironically it has me thinking outside that square 😉.
Emma HeustonThe Remote Expert
Emma Heuston
I’ve attended The Retreat for many years, and each year it’s delivered real, lasting impact for my business. Each time, I’ve come away with practical strategies I can implement immediately—things like marketing approaches that actually work, better systems for managing projects, and realistic solutions for team time management. One of the most powerful takeaways has been preparing a yearly plan that now sits on my wall—it keeps me focused every day on what really matters. The presentations are grounded in real experience, the materials are exceptional, and somehow it’s all delivered in the most fun and engaging way possible. It’s unlike any business event I’ve been to.
Antonella SandersonDirector at Family Law Matters
Antonella Sanderson
I have never been to such an inspiring and creative legal conference. I loved the mix of legal and non-legal speakers bringing so many diverse and eye opening perspectives. The calibre of speakers was so high and I loved meeting so many like-minded people. I will be back every year because it’s the triple whammy of being lots of fun, uniquely educational and utterly motivational.
Jennifer HarrisSpecial Counsel Clayton Utz
Jennifer Harris
The HLHL Retreat is a must on the calendar for anybody wanting to implement change in their legal businesses, or lives as employed lawyers – it is a breeding ground for new ideas; a safe collective in which to workshop how those ideas might work in your law firm or career; and a group of like-minded people to embolden you to change, to champion your wins, and soften your missteps.
Dan BottrellDirector at BMG Family Lawyers
Dan Bottrell
If you want to push the boundaries around what it means to practise law; if you want to redefine success in business; if you want to know what it is like to be part of an outrageously generous and supportive community of like-minded lawyers, you need to attend the Club Retreat. I did, and it changed everything.
Ann-Maree DavidCEO / Executive Director at The College of Law Queensland
Ann Maree David
THE RETREAT: Raucous, Extraordinary, Trendy, Radical, Engaging, Adventurous, Thought provoking. And you may also learn to dance!
Shelby Timmins Director of Divorce Done Differently
Shelby Timmins
Attending The Retreat is the highlight of my CPD year. It’s been a real game-changer for me in terms of how I think about my business and what I can achieve in ‘lawland’. From my many Retreat-induced ‘lightbulb moments’, I’ve made significant improvements to my business in terms of revenue, pricing, marketing, and HR/culture. If you have any hesitation about attending because of all the bright colours and confetti – have no fear – you will soon learn the business content is as rigorous and savvy as you’ll find at any legal conference but delivered in a much more memorable and impactful way that sticks with you and inspires you to take action!
Josh FoxFounder of Foxlaw
Josh Fox
We were transported into the special Club world and recharged our legal batteries with so many like minded colleagues and amazing speakers.
Nicky GrummittWills & Business Nerd/ Mum/ Gardiner/ #radbosslady
Nicky Grummitt
An inspirational, thought provoking and at times, emotional, experience.
Sarah StoddardDirector of Vitality Law Australia
Sarah Stoddard
An opportunity to connect with a tribe that gets it - it's called filling your cup!
Bron O'LoanDirector of O'Loan Family Law
Bron O'Loan
The clarity and inspiration you get from being away from the day-to-day grind and surrounded by amazing people. 🤩
Helen KayDirector of Rise Legal
Helen Kay
I love that it united us with rainbows, confetti and inspiring content in what was a very difficult year.
Rachael HemplingBarrister | Mediator | Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
This is an image of Rachael Hempling
Community, connection, learning and inspiration - two action packed valuable days - sensational speakers!
Jennifer HarrisSpecial Counsel Clayton Utz
This is a image of Lawyer Jennifer Harris
A time to share a whole lot of learning and love with like-minded friends.
Shelby TimminsDirector of Divorce Done Differently
This is an image of divorce coach Shelby Timmins
So inspiring. A guaranteed way to find the glitter in your life for the next 12 months!
Marika McMahonFamily Law Accredited Specialist | Partner of OFRM
Marika McMahon

Dan Bottrell

Director at BMG Family Lawyers