about lara garfinkel

My background is in corporate law with a focus on risk management and corporate governance. I have over 20 years experience as a lawyer and worked in top tier law firms for many years. This enables me to provide high quality, commercial advice to small businesses or individuals at an affordable, accessible price.

A passion for social justice has underpinned my extensive experience working with charities and not for profit organisations, including co-founding a charity of my own and seats on not for profit boards. This means I have a deep understanding of both the for profit and for purpose space as well as the realities of starting a business and making it a success.

I can assist you in managing your risk in your business and/or personal life by helping you identify and protect yourself from issues that could cause you significant stress and financial loss in the future. This is done in a calm and balanced manner allowing us to find practical solutions and working together to implement them so you can focus on what is most important to you.

A determination to resolve disputes in the most cost effective and least stressful way for my clients caused me to train as a mediator. My dual expertise as a lawyer and a mediator enables me, wherever possible and appropriate, to assist you to negotiate an outcome that is in your best interests. This can be done before both sides engage a lawyer, saving everyone considerable stress, time and legal fees.

I chose the name The Meditating Lawyer because although it appears a contradiction in terms, I believe that meditation makes me a better lawyer and negotiator. I bring a calmness that takes the edge off obtaining legal advice. I also love the play on words between meditating and mediating. The similarity between the two words is no coincidence. Meditation and mediation both reduce stress and represent a calmer and mindful way of approaching any issue in your life.