The Power of Diversity in International Family Law 

Editor’s note: This piece is part of an annual sponsorship of Global Atlanta by The Manely Firm, which practices international family law in Georgia and worldwide. 

In the complex world of international family law, where diverse cultures and backgrounds intersect, Atlanta-based The Manely Firm P.C. stands out for its commitment to cultural sensitivity, both internally and when interacting with clients.  

An internal culture of empathy and understanding, fed by team members’ own diversity, contributes to the firm’s exceptional ability to connect with international families, according to attorneys. 

With colleagues fluent in more than 10 languages across six offices in Georgia, The Manely Firm’s linguistic and cultural expertise not only enriches the professional and personal lives of team members but also facilitates more effective communication with clients from diverse cultures and locations.  

Working alongside other attorneys with varied cultural, racial and religious backgrounds broadens perspectives and fosters continuous learning – an invaluable asset for navigating the complexities of international family law, according to Dina Khismatulina, partner attorney in The Manely Firm’s Atlanta and Lawrenceville offices who hails from Russia. 

“I learn something new every day just because I’m dealing with people with different cultural, racial and religious backgrounds that speak different languages. It’s incredibly enriching for my own life,” she says. 

Renee S. Richardson, an attorney with the firm who was born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands, says the biggest selling point for her working at Manely is the internal diversity. She describes the firm’s “melting pot” of individuals from various cultural and social backgrounds as creating an ethos of “home.” 

Manely team members highlight the role diversity plays in fostering empathy for clients. Attorneys attest that collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds enables them to gain deeper insights into the complexities of family dynamics across different cultures.

For example, having team members from Ukraine provides invaluable perspective when dealing with cases involving families from Russia, facilitating a more empathetic and nuanced approach to legal care, Ms. Richardson says. 

By providing a platform for individuals to share their unique cultural experiences and perspectives, The Manely Firm ensures that clients receive tailored, culturally sensitive legal representation. This approach goes beyond mere legal expertise; it encompasses a deep understanding and respect for the cultural nuances that shape each client’s experience and perspective. 

The Manely Firm cultivates this understanding by purposefully hiring attorneys with diverse cultural backgrounds, says founder Michael Manely. Without a culturally diverse mindset, definitions of “family” can become fixed according to personal beliefs and mores, he adds.  

Finding the right mix is critical for offering appropriate and effective legal services in a sensitive field in which clients may have disparate beliefs surrounding family obligations, rights and norms.  

“It’s important to have someone on staff who has a broad perspective of ‘family,’ in terms of interpersonal relationships but also in terms of cultural diversity,” Mr. Manely says.  

“For us, it’s important to have folks from all around the world. We’re looking for [attorneys] with culturally diverse and internationally diverse experience.”  

In addition to offices in Atlanta and Lawrenceville, The Manely Firm has branches in Columbus, Cumming, Marietta and Savannah. 

Contact The Manely Firm at www.allfamilylaw.com/contact/.