Rachel Cooper, barrister at Coram Chambers, recently delivered a practical and timely lecture on resilience in family law, as part of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) Autumn Series.
Victoria Wilson of the FLBA invited Rachel to speak, and Oluwapelumi Amanda Adeola, barrister at Trinity Chambers, introduced her. Rachel focused on what resilience means for family law professionals, stressing that it is both an individual and a collective mindset. She explained that resilience should be developed through reflection, self-care, and community support, rather than simply pushing through challenges without pause.
During the online session, Rachel outlined key strategies for maintaining resilience. She emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy mind-body connection, setting digital boundaries, and prioritising positive connections with colleagues. She warned against toxic resilience – the habit of ignoring stress and fatigue – as this can lead to burnout rather than growth.
Rachel encouraged attendees to take time for rest and reflection, and to connect with others about the challenges of family law. She gave personal and practical examples, such as meeting for coffee and cake with colleagues to share experiences, as ways of maintaining wellbeing. Oluwapelumi echoed these points, noting the value of community and digital boundaries, and highlighting the need to prioritise sleep and manage stress.
Rachel’s reputation for excellence is well recognised. Chambers and Partners 2026 call her “well prepared and strong on her feet” and “another star in the making for chambers”. Legal 500 praises her calm manner and depth of knowledge.
Her lecture concluded with an invitation for others to reach out and discuss resilience further, reinforcing the need for ongoing support within the profession.
A recording of the session will be available to FLBA members. Rachel’s message is clear: sustainable careers in family law depend on building real resilience, not just coping with stress.
