Jen Hitchman of ‘Peninsula Dispute Resolution’ began her career in law as a Family and Wills and estates lawyer, her dissatisfaction with the way that the Courts and lawyers dealt with family based conflicts inspired Jen to pursue her current career path. “When we emigrated, I took the opportunity to build on the legal background to do some further studies at Uni in conflict resolution and then qualified as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, says Jen. 

I'd been drawn to helping people when I decided to get into law at school so started my career with family law issues. In practice, I came across mediation and thought, this is so much more productive for the majority of people. This is where I want to be!”

Jen is very passionate about helping people see and understand how things can be better and making things work in a way for couples to move forward in their lives after conflict, especially if children are involved. Finding a great sense of satisfaction in enabling and empowering people to resolve issues and decide on their own direction.

Being a Mum of two gorgeous girls aged 4 & 1 means Jen’s days are packed with a combination of the roles of Mum & business woman,  including working on a research project for her University research job, discussing recent developments and practice ideas (in Family Dispute Resolution) with her peers, chatting with clients, then home with the girls to put scraps into the worm farm, walking the dog, enjoying an afternoon picnic and then sitting down to dinner as a family, and that’s all in one day!

When asked about her motivation and inspiration Jen says “I get to work with some amazing people in the field who inspire me so much to keep researching, improving and considering my mediation work. My grandmother was a busy and amazing mother, she's my inspiration as a mother. Making a positive difference in people's lives is a fantastic motivation.”

I actually met Jen at a local music class for our kids so it’s not surprising to learn she loves dancing around and singing with the children. “Singing is really my ‘me’ time, a great release. Walking the dog or curling up with a good book are my idea of relaxing.”