Combining Traditional and Western Mediation Practices. Member Spotlight: Claire Naidu
Mindfulness is at the heart of Claire Naidu’s work. Resolution Specialist, Lawyer, Mediator, Advisor, and Facilitator based in Australia’s capital, Claire combines deep expertise with a human-centred approach. When she’s not playing soccer or supporting local teams like Canberra United FC, she dedicates her energy to helping individuals, families, business and communities navigate transitions and achieve pre-judicial dispute resolutions.
“I bring my heart and my head to the work that I do,” Claire shares. “Change can be hard, even at the best of times. As a society, we have so much more potential to ease transitions for individuals and communities.” Drawing on her legal background and passion for people, Claire founded Claire Naidu & Co, helping clients on different sides of change to find their way forward.
Traditional Practice for Modern Challenges
Claire completed her Bachelor’s Degrees in Law and Commerce at the Australian National University, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. After beginning her career and experience in litigation, she felt called to realign her work with her deeper values.
“As a young person, I loved playing business games — and saw myself as a business owner,” she explains. “When I became a lawyer, I initially thought that would mean becoming a partner in a firm. As I grew in my career, I realized the traditional model didn’t align with the vision I had for my work. So, I took a leap to forge my own path and created a practice that allowed me to do what I find most meaningful.”
Launching her own firm came with challenges. “You can research options endlessly and still not have a clear answer,” Claire reflects. “Deciding when to act, and when to wait, can have a huge impact.” One key decision was where to establish her office. Located in Australia’s capital, Claire chose a peaceful space overlooking a lake — deliberately removed from the busyness of city life.
“When clients visit, they leave the bustle behind. It’s quiet; you hear the birds,” she says. “The environment is designed to relieve external tension and create space for people to reflect on what they really want.”
Initially focused on legal practice and mediation, Claire’s vision for her firm evolved. “I found myself drawn more and more options for resolution. Helping people settle earlier usually meant better outcomes, not just legally, but emotionally too.” After completing mediation training at Bond University and while expanding her skills in various resolution practices, she discovered a path that resonated even more deeply with her mission: helping all involved, not just one side.
Today, Claire serves as a resolution specialist, mediator, facilitator, and collaborative lawyer and coach, helping individuals and groups transform challenging moments into stronger, more fulfilling experiences.
A Bridge Between Worlds
Claire’s approach combines the best of western practices with traditional wisdom traditions — including mindfulness, relational intelligence, and reconciliation practices.
“I see it as forming a bridge between the two sides of the brain and the body,” she shares. “By combining these, we open up new possibilities — respecting where people are and supporting their journey forward.”
While she is equipped to formalize agreements and provide legal documentation when needed, her focus remains on empowering clients to resolve disputes earlier and move on emotionally stronger.
“Mindfulness starts with me,” Claire explains. “Being mindful means being present, noticing your own reactions and those of others, and listening to both what is said and what is not said.”
By tuning into both spoken and unspoken dynamics, Claire creates environments of openness, comfort, and honesty. “When this occurs, there can be a sense of release between the parties — making it easier to find the way forward.”
Building Community, Activating Solutions
Claire’s innovative approach has led her to make meaningful contributions to the broader community. She serves on several panels offering mediation services and supports business, family, cultural, and community groups.
Her work has been recognized nationally: Claire was a Telstra Business Award Finalist, named ACT Young Business Woman of the Year in 2013, and Claire Naidu & Co was ranked the third-best firm in Australia the following year.
Looking ahead, Claire is expanding her offerings. In 2025, she launched Re Solve Strategy Sessions — spaces where she brings both her “hard and soft skills” together to meet each situation’s unique needs.
With two decades of experience across law, mediation, resolution and facilitation, Claire remains committed to empowering clients to activate their own solutions — and experience more of the life and relationships they truly desire.
Article by Kieran Blunnie, MBBI Writer