Vairawanathan wants to improve flexibility and inclusivity for women in law
Sri Lankan-born Melanie Vairawanathan took a big risk when she relocated to Australia at the age of 17 to study law. While it was not an easy move, her hard work paid off and she has since gone on to build a practice focusing on family violence victims, founded Melmark Law, and helped to launch The Virtual Office.
In the first half of this interview, Vairawanathan shares what it was like to see women hampered by traditional gender roles, and why it was important for her to develop flexible, inclusive environment for women in law.
Growing up in Sri Lanka, I witnessed first-hand how traditional gender roles limited women’s opportunities. Women were often encouraged to be wives, mothers, and caretakers, while men were encouraged to pursue careers and leadership roles. Seeing these dynamics made me determined to break away from that mould and show that women can achieve so much more. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer—someone who could impact the world and do something meaningful.
I was incredibly fortunate to have a supportive family, especially my mother. Despite coming from a traditional background herself, she encouraged me to follow my dreams. When I moved to Australia at 17 to pursue my Bachelor of Laws at Monash University, I faced many challenges, including feeling like an outsider in a new culture. But my family’s sacrifices motivated me to push forward.
What I love most about my job is the opportunity to empower individuals during some of the most difficult times of their lives. Whether I am advocating for victims of family violence or supporting someone through a parenting battle, being able to make a tangible difference is incredibly rewarding.
At Melmark Law, we’ve been focusing on expanding our services to meet the growing needs of our clients, particularly those facing family violence. One initiative that excites me is our commitment to providing accessible legal services through flexible payment plans for those who may be struggling financially. This is especially important for women in need, as financial stress should never hinder receiving legal help. We also proudly service the LGBTQI+ community, ensuring everyone has access to compassionate and understanding legal support, regardless of their background or identity.
Alongside our commitment to providing flexible services, one of the most exciting tech-related initiatives we have adopted is the creation of The Virtual Office (TVO) in Sri Lanka. The inspiration for TVO stemmed from my own experience as a woman juggling law, family, and the rigid structure of traditional law firms. I realised I needed to step away from that model to create a more flexible and inclusive environment—not just for me, but for other female lawyers facing similar challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic showed me the power of remote work and technology's potential to break down legal barriers. This led to the creation of TVO, which I co-founded with my former schoolmate and principal lawyer in Sri Lanka, Isuru Dissanayake. TVO provides virtual legal, paralegal, and administrative support to law firms, allowing us to tap into a diverse, cost-effective pool of legal talent globally. What began as a small project to support Melmark Law has evolved into a larger operation that supports law firms in reshaping how they work.
The hybrid legal support model we’ve developed through TVO has allowed us to maintain high efficiency, reduce operational costs, and pass those savings on to our clients, making legal services more affordable and accessible. It also enables me to create job opportunities in Sri Lanka, which is deeply meaningful to me. Our Virtual Office paralegals work during regular Australian business hours, connecting seamlessly with our team via MS Teams. This not only enhances our operational efficiency, but also ensures we continue to provide the highest level of service to our clients without displacing Australian jobs—our offshore team supports and enhances our efforts.
Moreover, TVO has given me the flexibility to focus on my passions, such as volunteering for the Fitzroy Legal Night phone service, attending networking events, and continuing my professional development. The healthier work-life balance it promotes has helped reduce stress and prevent burnout, which is prevalent in the legal industry. This hybrid approach has allowed me to fulfil my mission of creating a firm and business model that prioritises inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability, while continuing to provide exceptional legal services.
Lastly, the recent adoption of LEAP software in 2024 has been a game-changer for us. This new technology keeps us at the cutting edge of legal practice, particularly in adapting to changes in family law, ensuring that we remain innovative and agile in meeting the needs of our clients.
