Meet Stephen Cawelti

We recently connected with Stephen Cawelti and have shared our conversation below.

Stephen, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My purpose is to help people and provide education that benefits them regardless of whether they retain my services as an attorney.

Before attending law school I got a degree in psychology and child development. I went on to work in the entertainment industry. My knowledge and work history showed me that there are a lot of high-tension areas that affect families.

When I decided to go to law school I knew that I wanted to help people navigate stressful experiences. Divorce is the most trying experience a family can go through. It can be high drama. I wanted to be the person that could make divorce less stressful and frustrating for people.

I tell potential clients in our consultation calls that even if they don’t retain my services I want to give them some basic knowledge to get them started on the right foot in their divorce. I share with them the basic types of divorces a person can go through and how they can minimize the cost and mental impact of their divorce.

Of course, I want to be hired. Every small business owner has to think about paying their bills and employees. But I genuinely see it as my purpose to help people. So if all I do is give some advice that can lead to someone successfully filing for divorce without me, I am happy.

In short, my purpose was born from my educational background and work history. I saw that people often just need someone to help. I found a career where I can do that.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I earned my J.D. from Loyola Law School after completing my undergraduate degree at USC, earning a B.S. in Psychology and Child Development. I have been practicing family law since 2006. I currently practice from and run my own firm, The Law Offices of Stephen L. Cawelti, in Burbank, California.

I focus primarily on divorce and child custody cases. When I’m not working on a case for a client I keep busy with multiple local associations and volunteer opportunities. I’m a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS), the Beverly Hills Bar Association, and the Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) where I am currently acting as the Chair of the Family Law Executive Committee (FLEXCOM).

My role as Chair of FLEXCOM is one of my most meaningful positions. I work with other Family Law attorneys and professionals to ensure that the practice of Family Law is beneficial for people in Los Angeles County. It is fulfilling to enact systemic changes that make a positive impact on my career field.

In addition to working and remaining active in law associations, I volunteer on the Pasadena Courthouse Volunteer Mediation Panel and serve in the Temporary Judge Program for the Los Angeles Superior Court. My volunteer positions allow me to hear family law and domestic abuse cases.

In all of my work, I strive to make divorce easier and more accessible for people.

I am excited that my firm recently expanded our family law offerings. We are now taking on pet custody cases. People don’t often think of pet custody as an issue, but it is a complex and common legal issue in the state of California. I’m glad our firm can provide custody services for all members of a family.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
With my background in psychology, I think the number one skill that I have come to rely on is emotional intelligence. I try to always be thinking about what the other party or lawyer is thinking about or wants out of our interactions. Sometimes this means thinking about what the judge wants, not just as the ultimate fair result, but how can I make this process easier on them. But putting yourself in the other person’s shoes can lead to too much empathy when you are trying to be an advocate for your client’s rights, so caution is needed. Emotional intelligence to me is reading the entire situation and using that consideration to do the best job for your client.

Next, I would say patience, but not too much of it. It can be hard to know when you’ve waited too long for something you thing or hope is coming, but jumping the gun or acting impulsively is usually a mistake unless you are really in tough with yourself (most people aren’t). In my line of work, patience is often counseling my clients to be patient, to bide their time or wait for the best information to come in. When making major decisions in a family law case, I often say, “Your future self may one day be very unhappy with your present self.” This has a way of focusing people on the bigger picture and shake them out of their current near-sightedness.

Finally, thinking ahead is a necessary skill, but don’t get obsessive. This somewhat goes back to #1 above. Thinking about what others are thinking can help with decision-making. But it’s easy to go down a rabbit hole or two when trying to assess possible strategies. I often ask myself, “Would I do that anyway, regardless of what the other side’s strategy might be?” Or, “Is that something I can control right now? Or can I influence that situation, even if I can’t control it to the extent I would like to?” Ideally, I always try to think 4-6 moves ahead, but sometimes it can only be one or two. Find a way to be okay with that. It takes time and experience, but often a mentor or colleague can quicken the process.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My COO enables me to not only focus on the core practice of law and managing staff workflow, she also helps me eliminate challenges that make me less efficient. Whether it’s negative thinking or just focusing on getting the bills paid when other priorities are calling, she always has the “big picture” in mind. She can also be a version of me so that I can get more done, whether she’s reading my mind or after we’ve had actual meetings. I’ve talked to a lot of lawyers, and most of them either try to practice law AND run a business themselves, or they are constantly having trouble finding someone good to run the business end of things. I’m lucky, I found the right fit and balance. My COO happens to be my wife.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Sam Diephius (head shot) Hector Islas (3 images from the LACBA FLEXCOM Installation Dinner: Stephen at the podium, Stephen with the two previous chairs, and Stephen and the other 2023-2024 officials being sworn in).

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