When Piyadarshini Balakrishnan started Piya Law Chambers, she set out to do more than practice law; she wanted to change how divorce and family cases are experienced in Malaysia. Blending legal expertise with emotional wellness, she’s built a practice that helps clients find not just closure, but healing and growth.
In this interview, Piya shares the challenges of running her own firm, the milestones that keep her grounded, and her personal beliefs.
1. Could you share a bit about yourself and the career path that led you to become a family lawyer and eventually start Piya Law Chambers?
My name is Piyadarshini Balakrishnan. I was born in Kuala Lumpur and raised in Cameron Highlands, where I spent my childhood as a true highlands girl.
Later, I pursued my law degree at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, followed by the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) in Manchester.
From the very beginning of my legal studies, I was drawn to family law.
Upon returning to Malaysia, I completed my pupillage and then practiced as a Legal Associate.
However, I quickly noticed a gap in how divorce cases were handled in court. Everything felt too black and white.
Yet, I knew the real healing often happens in the grey areas, where emotions and personal growth lie.
That realization became the foundation for Piya Law Chambers: a practice dedicated to integrating mental health into family law in Malaysia.
2. For those new to your work, could you walk us through the services Piya Law Chambers offers, what sets your approach apart, and what clients can expect when booking a consultation?
Piya Law Chambers focuses on family and matrimonial law.
I handle a wide range of matters, including divorce, annulments, child custody and visitation rights, spousal and child maintenance, division of assets, adoptions, and protection orders for men, women, and children in cases of domestic violence. I also draft prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for couples.
What sets my practice apart is how I weave mental health into family law.
Too often, I see clients leave court with the house, car, or custody, yet still feel deeply unhappy. My mission is to support them not only legally but also emotionally.
When clients book a consultation, the first thing they can expect is a listening ear. Many times, people are offered quick solutions without being given space to express how they feel.
I create that space.
By the end of the session, I address their questions and provide them with clear action steps and options moving forward.
3. Could you share what a typical workday looks like for you, and any systems or self care practices you use to maintain both professional performance and personal wellbeing?
No two workdays ever look the same for me, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about my practice.
Some mornings are spent in court advocating for my clients, before I return to the office to dive into meetings, review files, or work on drafting. On other days, I may dedicate long stretches of time to client consultations.
At least once a week, I block out a full day just for business development, whether that means networking, meeting new people, or exploring opportunities to grow and strengthen my practice.
Maintaining balance through my personal routines is equally important to me.
I’m deeply committed to my health and fitness journey, which helps me stay energized and grounded. My non-negotiables are walking at least 10,000 steps everyday, drinking 4 liters of water daily, and strength training three times a week.
Beyond fitness, one of my greatest joys is cooking. Preparing a wholesome dinner every evening for my husband and myself is more than just a meal, it’s my time to unwind, recharge, and reconnect after a full day. It’s a ritual I cherish, and it keeps me anchored amidst the demands of running my own practice.
4. Your work blends legal expertise with emotional wellness. What inspired you to merge these two worlds?
It stems from my own personal experience. A few years ago, I went through the difficult end of a relationship. It deeply affected me, and it took a long time before I felt like myself again.
My healing came through therapy, personal growth, and spending time alone.
I realized I needed to work on my inner world to shift my outer world.
That experience made me think of others going through painful divorces. I wanted to give them what I had eventually found which was closure, freedom, and hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
As a divorce lawyer, I realized I had the unique opportunity to bridge legal expertise with emotional healing.
5. Is there a particular client moment or personal breakthrough that made you think, “Yes, this is why I do what I do”?
There have been many meaningful moments throughout my practice, and they are what keep me grounded in my “why.” I often save and ‘star’ the heartfelt WhatsApp messages my clients send me, so that on the harder days I can look back and remind myself.
One moment that stands out vividly is from a client who, after finalizing his divorce, decided to take a solo trip. He later sent me a photograph of himself on that journey, telling me how, for the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of freedom and genuine joy. It wasn’t about the legal outcome alone, it was about him reclaiming his life and rediscovering happiness.
Moments like these remind me that family law isn’t just about paperwork and court orders; it’s about helping people step into a new chapter with hope, healing, and the courage to move forward.
Those are the stories that truly fuel me.
6. How has your own journey with lupus shaped the way you show up for your clients?
Lupus has taught me the power of empathy and presence.
When someone is going through a hard time, what they often need most is for someone to hold space for them and to ask how they’re doing and to truly listen.
My own journey helped me understand that deeply, and it shapes how I support my clients today.
7. What were some of the hardest challenges you faced when starting and running your own practice?
When I first started, one of the biggest challenges I faced was the negative chatter about my age. Many people doubted me, assuming I was too young to run my own firm, and that perception wasn’t always easy to navigate. Over time, however, I learned to let my work and results speak louder than the opinions around me.
Another challenge has been the reality of being a sole proprietor. I wear many hats. I’m the lawyer handling every file, the one meeting clients, managing deadlines, and at the same time focusing on the growth and development of the firm. While I value the personal touch of being directly involved in every case, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to balance it all.
That said, the experience has taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of creating systems to keep things moving forward.
What makes the journey easier is having a very supportive spouse who encourages me and stands by me through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. His support gives me the strength to keep going, even on the most challenging days.
8. What’s one misconception people often have about divorce or family transitions that you wish more people understood?
One of the biggest misconceptions about divorce is the idea that going to court will produce a clear winner and loser.
In reality, there are no true winners in a divorce. That mindset of “winning” often drives people to fight relentlessly, without realizing how damaging the process can be, to their own wellbeing, to their future, and especially to their children.
What I always remind my clients is this: the only way you truly “win” a divorce is when both individuals have grown and healed from the experience.
And in cases involving children, victory is when your children come out of the process safe, supported, and emotionally well.
At the end of the day, divorce isn’t about defeating the other person. It’s about finding a healthier way forward for everyone involved.
9. Looking back so far, what’s one milestone in your practice that you’re most proud of?
The milestones I’m most proud of don’t usually happen in courtrooms or make it into headlines.
They happen quietly, behind closed doors. They’re in the photographs my clients send me of themselves reunited with their children after a difficult separation. Those simple, heartfelt moments speak volumes.
To me, they represent healing, resilience, and the true purpose of the work I do.
Those are the milestones that mean everything.
10. How has your practice evolved over time in terms of growth and stability, and where do you see Piya Law Chambers in the next 5 years?
Growth is a journey that takes time and patience. When I first started, I worked out of co-working spaces and cafés, building my practice step by step. Today, I have my own office space that reflects the vision I’ve been working towards.
Looking ahead, I see Piya Law Chambers continuing to scale and establish itself as a pioneer in integrating emotional wellness into family law in Malaysia.
My goal is for the firm to be a place where clients not only receive legal guidance, but also feel supported in their healing and personal growth throughout the process.
11. For newer Malaysian lawyers who want to start their own practice or take a freelance path, what’s one piece of advice you’d share to help them prepare?
Know your “why.”
Because when everything else feels uncertain, your “why” will be the anchor that keeps you going.
12. For anyone interested in working with you, what’s the best way to get started or reach out for a consultation?
They can visit my website at www.piyalawchambers.com and fill up the enquiry form, or reach me directly at 012-5325660.
Final Thoughts
A huge thank you to @piyafamilylaw for sharing her journey with such honesty and clarity. Building a law practice from the ground up is no small feat, and Piya’s story shows what’s possible when you combine professional expertise with a deep sense of purpose.
Here are three takeaways we loved from this interview:
- Know your why. It will anchor you through uncertainty.
- Systems and self-care matter. Business growth is unsustainable without personal wellbeing.
- Impact can be your differentiator. Leading with empathy is a powerful business strategy.
You can follow her journey on Instagram @piyafamilylaw or visit www.piyalawchambers.com to learn more about her work.
