CM Lawyers: A Legacy of Legal Excellence and Human Connection
Behind the success of CM Law is a husband-and-wife team, Christine Manolakos and Alex Sapounas. From being each other's partner in life, they have expanded their mission to becoming partners in justice for the good people of Sydney. Discover their story here.
Humble Beginnings
“How can I create a significant positive impact?” Christine asked herself this question decades ago when she was contemplating which degree to take. She initially considered a career in pharmacy, thinking it would help her save lives.
Ultimately, she decided to pursue law, as it would allow her to work in a wider range of areas, fulfilling her dream to impact different aspects of people’s lives.
Majoring in economic law, Christine earned her degree at the prestigious business school at Macquarie University. With the interdisciplinary approach of her legal education, she gained a broader perspective and understanding of the legal aspects, especially in terms of how they interact with economic factors. Armed with this knowledge and skillset, Christine braved the legal industry, having the opportunity to work for multiple large firms.
In 1996, Christine decided that it was time to step up and establish her own law firm. It was a particularly challenging time, as the legal industry was male-dominated. However, she was determined to create a practice that upheld integrity, professionalism, and client-focused service. She successfully founded CM Law, proving that she and other female legal professionals could also excel in the field.
As Christine was starting with CM Law, she had a strong support system in the form of Alex, who had a wealth of experience from his background in accounting and corporate life. One of the most predominant areas when Christine started working was property law, as real estate prices were relatively low during this period. Alex added to their property law expertise, as he had a background in real estate because of his father, who was a builder.
Driven by the desire to work more closely with clients and give hands-on legal assistance, Alex transitioned from accounting to conveyancing. He began working full-time at CM Law in 2003.
The CM Law Difference
Under the dynamic leadership of Christine and Alex, CM Law flourished. Today, they stand as a well-established firm that embraces a holistic approach to legal practice. Their extensive experience allows them to offer personalized, strategic legal advice across complex family law matters, property law, criminal law, tax law, and beyond.
However, it hasn’t been easy. They have navigated numerous challenges, including the Asian currency crisis, the dot-com boom, the Great Recession, and even one-in-a-hundred-year pandemics. The rise of the internet, the impact of mobile technologies, growing concerns over social media and privacy issues, and the advent of AI have all shaped the landscape in which they operate.
What truly sets CM Law apart is their unwavering commitment to personalized client service. They prioritize building meaningful relationships, treating every client with the utmost care and respect. If a client requires further assistance, Christine and Alex go above and beyond, ensuring that they are there for their clients in every possible way.
Meeting the Client Where They Are
Sometimes, going the extra mile means literally driving for miles to meet a client in need. Christine and Alex recall an elderly client who had recently lost her son, leaving her with a substantial asset base of over $1.5 million. As the sole beneficiary of the estate, she was understandably stressed and uncertain about how to manage the funds. Upon receiving her call, Christine and Alex quickly got in the car and drove to her home, recognizing that she was not very mobile. They spent an hour with her, patiently explaining the best way to manage her assets and discussing how to communicate with her two remaining sons.
“Sometimes, we really do have to get in the car and go see our elderly clients, just to reassure them that everything is okay,” Christine shares. “We want them to know that we’re on top of things, and there’s nothing to worry about.” She believes that this personal touch is crucial; without it, clients may struggle to understand the process and trust CM Law with significant sums of money. By meeting clients where they are, Christine and Alex demonstrate that CM Law is dedicated to finding solutions that prioritize their clients' best interests.
On Your Side (Even in Funny Matters)
Whatever the situation, Christine and Alex are there to accompany clients and brainstorm innovative ideas. They fondly recall a humorous case in which a client’s spouse was aggressively pursuing a claim on technology that, amusingly, didn’t even belong to the client but to a friend. Christine found this case particularly funny, illustrating the creative and sometimes absurd arguments that can arise in family law matters, especially regarding asset division and undisclosed wealth.
Human connection, Christine and Alex believe, is the one thing that AI and other modern technologies can’t replace. They provide not only legal advice but also empathy and comfort to clients facing challenging situations. Yet, this does not mean that CM Law shies away from technological advancements; rather, they embrace these innovations to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, all while maintaining their personal touch with clients.
Overcoming Challenges and Lasting Client Journey
While Christine and Alex consistently strive for excellence in client service, their journey has not always been smooth sailing. In the legal profession, ethical behaviour is paramount, and they recognize that the landscape is constantly evolving. They remain committed to upholding the values of professionalism and integrity that have guided them throughout their careers.
“You have to respect the profession,” Alex emphasizes. “You have to behave ethically. You don't put money first; you put your client first. When you take on a matter, you must act in the best interest of your client. Today, we face challenges from businesses that treat this profession merely as a business. We must balance that with our commitment to ethical behavior and achieving the best results for our clients.”
Alex believes that the anecdotes they share with clients reflect their dedication to satisfaction and their adherence to a strong moral compass. They consistently deliver the best client solutions while upholding the highest ethical standards.
Many clients come to CM Law after feeling dissatisfied with other law firms, often citing poor management of their cases or feeling overcharged. Many of these firms delegate important tasks to younger, less experienced staff in pursuit of fees, which can lead to a lack of personalized attention and care. This poses a challenge for CM Law, as they strive to deliver consistent and high-quality service that meets their clients’ needs. They keep the clients informed, manage expectations, stay transparent regarding costs, and build strong and lasting relationships. Many clients return to CM Law for their various legal needs throughout their life cycles.
Continued Commitment
As times change, CM Law, led by Christine and Alex, is committed to standing by their clients. They plan to uphold their dedication to high-quality service and continuous communication.“I think communication is key,” Christine asserts. “We must ensure that we understand our clients' instructions and effectively execute them. We guide them through the process, making sure they achieve the results they deserve while being mindful of costs and striving to make matters cost-effective.”
Alex believes that their extensive life experiences enable them to connect with a diverse range of clients and navigate various situations. He shares, “When we encounter clients' matters, we often find that we’ve faced similar situations ourselves. With the vast number of cases we’ve handled, clients quickly realize that we listen to their concerns, understand their problems, and can offer innovative and intuitive solutions.”
In addition to providing dedicated service, Christine and Alex also give back to the community by participating in Rotary and supporting charitable causes.
With younger professionals joining CM Law, Christine and Alex are dedicated to training the next generation of legal practitioners. They are currently mentoring their son in the firm’s practices, ensuring that CM Law continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of many. Through their son’s involvement, Christine and Alex bridge intergenerational gaps, sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience.
Expanding Horizons
As CM Law continues to grow, Christine and Alex are excited about the firm's future expansion plans. In 2023, CM Law will be moving its headquarters to a new, larger office space in Marrickville, just minutes away from Sydney Airport. This strategic location allows them to better serve their Sydney-based clients while maintaining their roots in the community where the firm was founded.
"We're thrilled to be moving to our new head office in Marrickville," Christine shares enthusiastically. "It's a space that will allow us to continue providing the personalized service our clients have come to expect, while also giving us room to grow our team and expand our offerings.
"In addition to their new headquarters, CM Law will also be opening a second location in the bustling North West region of Ryde later this year. "We've noticed a growing need for our services in Ryde and the surrounding suburbs," Alex explains. "By opening an office there, we'll be able to better serve our clients in that area and provide them with the same level of care and attention they receive at our other locations."
But CM Law's expansion plans don't stop there. In early 2025, Christine and Alex have their sights set on international growth, with plans to open an office in Manila, Philippines. "We've been closely following the developments in Philippine law, particularly in the area of matrimonial issues," Christine says. "With some profound and society-changing legislation expected to pass soon, we believe we can make a real difference by bringing our expertise and client-focused approach to the Philippines.
"Alex is equally enthusiastic about the potential for growth in Manila. "The Philippines is a country with a rich culture and a strong legal tradition," he notes. "By establishing a presence there, we'll not only be able to assist local clients but also support Filipinos living abroad who need help navigating complex family law matters." In fact, Christine and Alex have already begun employing staff in Manila to prepare for the office opening and ensure a smooth transition.
As they look ahead to these exciting new chapters, Christine and Alex remain committed to upholding the values that have made CM Law a success. "No matter how big we grow or where we expand, our focus will always be on providing exceptional service and achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients," Christine affirms. "That's the foundation upon which this firm was built, and it's a principle we'll never compromise."
As they lead CM Law into the future, Christine and Alex remain steadfast in their commitment to passing on their values of client-focused service, integrity, and professionalism to the next generation. With over 25 years of experience in the legal field, Christine has built a firm that now proudly serves over 10,000 clients, each one a testament to the dedication and care that CM Law provides.
The foundation they’ve built—rooted in experience, empathy, and ethical practice—will continue to guide CM Law as they navigate the ever-changing legal landscape while maintaining the dedication they’ve upheld since the beginning. This complete narrative reflects all the changes and additions discussed, presenting a comprehensive overview of CM Law and the journey of Christine and Alex. I
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