A Day in the Life at Elise Buie Family Law: Meet COO Reyna Fisher

When I joined Elise Buie Family Law in 2020, I discovered a place where innovation and a focus on people were at the forefront of everything we do. Having spent my early career as a therapist, I was excited to find a mindful, welcoming, supportive home in a law firm. A home without a physical hallway to walk down or a break room, but the feeling of friendship, encouragement, and humor still prevalent. But, in a real sense, that’s exactly what I found. And so much more.?

Elise Buie and her team’s commitment to growth and pushing the proverbial envelope not only spoke to my values but pretty much called out to them, drawing me in from the very first interview. I started in intake, hired to create a system that focused on supporting our potential clients. From there, my role evolved, eventually leading me to become the firm’s People Director and, last year, its COO. I’ve always been drawn to environments where I can challenge myself, learn, solve difficult problems, and make meaningful connections, and this remote family law firm has given me the chance to do all four.

My educational background has allowed me to bring a unique perspective to my job. I have a master’s degree in psychology and a B.A. in sociology, prompting me to begin my career as a therapist for non-profit organizations. During my time as a therapist, I helped “high-risk” adolescents struggling with behavior and coping after traumatic situations, children with ASD, and individuals of all ages who were working through anxiety and depression. That experience equipped me with a deep understanding of emotional intelligence, attunement, and the value of creating a supportive environment — skills integral to any leadership role.?

I’ve always been fascinated by how people interact with each other and their environments, which naturally led me to explore humanistic and positive psychology principles in my approach to management. That was good news since Elise’s vision was to create not just teams but teams comprised of leaders who could play to their strengths and jump in to lead at any time.?

After being raised in Coral Springs, Florida, and attending university in Tampa, I spent a year in Australia, where I met my fiancé, Benji, a talented British animator who works for Disney Animation Studios. Together, we lived in England for six months before settling in Vancouver, Canada. We’ve been together for eight years, and we’re getting married this week.?

My upbringing, experiences abroad, and relationship with Benji helped shape my approach to life and work. I’ve always loved traveling, particularly in a camper van, where I can explore new places at my own pace. Hiking, kayaking, biking, reading, meditating, and doing puzzles are also my ways of relaxing, staying grounded, and finding balance. I believe self-care and spending quality time with my loved ones are essential in life, and I’m lucky to be part of a firm that supports me in doing so.?

At Elise Buie Family Law, we are constantly looking for new ways to improve ourselves and the firm, and this mindset is yet another of the many reasons I was drawn here. I’m proud to be part of a team that isn’t afraid to try new things. One of the most exciting initiatives we’re launching is a move from the traditional 40-hour workweek to a 30-hour workweek while maintaining the same pay structure, a shift that will better serve our clients and support our team.

Our “40 is the new 30” structure is premised on working smarter, not harder, in a shorter window. By examining our data and scrutinizing existing systems and processes so we can leverage them further, we keep finding new ways to streamline our work. Tools like HubSpot, Clio, Thinkific, ClickUp, Quickbooks, and others allow us to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more meaningful work and doing what we love outside of work.

We want to create an environment where every employee, without regard to title, feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best work. By reducing the workweek, we’re giving our team more time to recharge and pursue their passions outside of work, which I am confident will lead to greater job satisfaction, productivity, peace, happiness, and, most of all, fulfillment.?

This isn’t a mere policy change. Rather, it’s one more way we can reflect our firm’s values. We remain undeterred from challenging the status quo — from bucking the system — if it will mean finding new ways to support our team and clients. It’s why I love working here. I’m surrounded by people who are passionate about what they do and always looking for ways to enhance our work environment and themselves.?

By far, though, what I appreciate most about this firm is the respect we have for one another and, from it, the safe environment that emanates. Because of our firm values and culture, we are confident in taking risks, being vulnerable, giving compassionate, direct feedback, and sharing ideas as a way to further improve the firm and ourselves. Fortunately, choosing to join Elise Buie Family Law as the next step in my career completely changed my life for the better, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to lead and impact the lives of our team members, clients, and all of their families.?

If you're interested in learning more about Elise Buie Family Law Group and the possibility of joining our team, please check out our current job openings.

Elise Buie is a Seattle divorce and family lawyer and founder of Elise Buie Family Law Group, a law firm devoted to divorce and family law and estate planning. A champion for maintaining civility throughout the divorce process, Elise advocates for her clients and the best interests of their children, helping them move forward with dignity and from a position of strength.