This paper explores suggested guidelines for providing effective legal representation in parenting matters in court and other dispute resolution processes. It addresses the importance of taking a child focused approach when providing legal representation to parents. It also explores the requirement of lawyers to balance their ethical obligation to focus on the best interests of the children with their fiduciary duty to advance the interests of the client. Lastly, it provides a framework on how to undertake a child focused approach in providing effective legal representation to parents. This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Alberta Family Law Institute: Survive, Strive, Thrive program in Calgary on November 28–November 29, 2024.