With a successful track record in his family cases combined with confidence, expertise and a sincere understanding of his clients’ circumstances, Sam is an acclaimed family law expert and advocate at this Legal 500 ‘Top Tier’ specialist family law firm. Demonstrating a wealth of knowledge in all areas of family law including divorce, separation, financial relief and cases of domestic abuse, his real skill and passion lies in children law matters. Much of his caseload involves advising and representing parents and extended family members on child arrangements regarding where a child lives and whom they spend time with, but he is also sought after for his ability to deal with complex children cases. Sam’s work involves dealing with urgent matters which may require an immediate court application to protect a child, for example, where that child has been placed at risk of harm or to prevent an unlawful abduction outside the jurisdiction. He also advises on international disputes regarding which country a child should live in or visit, as well as representing same sex parents on surrogacy law arrangements. Providing consistent and specialist representation is important to Sam and he offers exceptional advocacy in court, wherever possible, recognising the need for his clients to be represented by somebody they know and trust. With a first-class reputation in the field of family law, Sam is listed in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’ and ‘Recommended Lawyer’. Sam is not able to assist with Legal Aid matters.

An exceptionally well regarded figure in the field of family law, Joanne offers clear-sighted, shrewd, and carefully considered advice on all aspects of divorce and family law. She is consistently hailed by clients for her exceptional care, wisdom, and staunch dedication to serving their best interests. Founder and Managing Director of this specialist family law firm that was shortlisted for Family Law Firm of the Year 2023, Joanne offers innovative approaches to successfully resolving relationship disputes, bringing to bear her 27 years’ experience to every case, particularly family matters that involve family finances and financial settlements, regularly handling complex cases that include property, pensions, assets, businesses, and inheritances. For yet another year running, Joanne has been awarded the highly coveted Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” accolade for 2024 – the highest ranking possible by the publication – for her superior work and reputation nationally as a leading divorce and family solicitor. She is widely known for her tenacious approach, priding herself on her persistence to go the extra mile to ensure that her clients’ needs are met and that her team are operating at the highest standards of professionalism and efficiency. Joanne’s ability to negotiate outstanding strategic solutions on behalf of her clients is reflected in the wealth of 5 star reviews she has amassed from past clients. She is a very popular choice, often through recommendation from happy clients, their families, as well as other professionals in the legal sector. Joanne also takes very seriously her role of mentoring her thriving team, developing and guiding like-minded family solicitors who have the same high expectations and absolute dedication to achieving the best possible results for their clients.

Valued for her empathetic and focused approach, combining sensitivity with robustness, Liz is a highly capable and experienced family lawyer and divorce solicitor. A Partner and Head of the Family Department, her expertise in relationship breakdown is second-to-none, advising on divorce, separation and related financial disputes, including making applications to the court for financial orders, and private law children matters, including child arrangements orders. Liz’s approach is to provide excellent client service with a down-to-earth style, always considering the needs of the whole family, especially when children are involved.

Standing out in the field of family law with a career spanning over two decades, Vicki is an exceptional family solicitor and Partner at this widely regarded multidisciplinary law firm. Renowned for her expertise in complex cases, she provides advice and representation on divorce, separation, children matters, issues of domestic abuse and concerns around drugs and alcohol within families. Vicki is also extremely well-versed in negotiating financial settlements, often involving substantial assets and complex financial relationships, always striving to reach the best settlements for her clients. Often representing and protecting prominent clients and their children from media attention, she prides herself on her excellent level of service, offering empathy, sensitivity, and discretion alongside expert legal advice. Vicki is recognised as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the 2023 edition of The Legal 500 and noted in Chambers & Partners and City Wealth as a leading matrimonial and family lawyer. She is also a regular contributor to print and broadcast media on topical family law issues.

A renowned family law expert, excellent strategist and described as “pragmatic, sensitive and personable”, Sebastian is Managing Partner at this well-regarded specialist family law firm and has been offering high quality legal advice and representation in family law matters for over 20 years. He has an excellent success rate in handling complex family cases, involving divorce, separation, marital finances, the dissolution of civil partnerships, and cases with an international element. Sebastian is particularly skilled at deciphering detailed financial matters within family disputes, involving multiple types of assets such as property, pension portfolios, investments, family businesses, and City bonus structures. He also has an enviable track record in cases relating to children, involving applications for child arrangements orders, special guardianship orders, substance abuse by parents, domestic violence cases and non-compliance with court orders. Well versed in wealth protection matters, he advises on and drafts pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Sebastian is a Resolution accredited specialist in complex financial remedies and Children Act cases and is a committed Chair of Resolution Essex and advocates a constructive and amicable approach to his cases, always pursuing the best outcome for his clients.

A longstanding and committed member of the team since 1999, Helen heads up the Matrimonial Department where she deals with divorce, financial issues, injunctions, child arrangements, cohabitation breakdown issues, pre-nuptial agreements, and deeds of separation. Helen is a member of Resolution and strongly believes in conducting matters in a constructive and non-confrontational way where possible, but will engage in tough negotiation where necessary. Taking a pragmatic yet supportive approach, she is committed to offering a personal, more bespoke service to her clients and works tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome.

Richard is an expert no-nonsense litigator with an incredible amount of experience in all elements of family law. With a 30 year career, he provides sympathetic legal advice on divorce, separation, financial implications of relationship breakdown, civil partnership dissolution, cohabitee issues, domestic abuse cases, child arrangements, child abduction, nuptial agreements and separation agreements. Richard is highly recommended by his clients who have praised his reassurance and common-sense approach. He is also able to provide advice and assistance in relation to wills, estates, and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Head of the Family Law team, Emma is a well respected family lawyer and specialises in privately funded family law cases. She is instructed in disputes relating to divorce and financial matters, including high-net-worth divorce cases, and has a good knowledge of trust law which assists her when dealing with complex cases where substantial assets are held in trust by one or the other party involved in divorce proceedings. Emma also represents clients in privately funded Children Act proceedings such as applications for child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders. Her work also involves preparing cohabitation and separation agreements and both pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. A committed member of Resolution, Emma approaches cases in a sensitive and non-confrontational manner in order to avoid animosity between couples. She is also realistic about what can be achieved and looks for the best possible way to achieve her clients’ goals, including via litigation where needed.

Sarah is a highly competent family lawyer and divorce solicitor who prides herself on building relationships with her clients and is focused on resolving their cases with their best interests at the forefront of her decision making. With over 11 years’ experience, she is instructed in a range of cases, including divorce and separation proceedings, child arrangements, financial disputes, domestic abuse cases, cohabitee issues and pre-nuptial agreements. Clients appreciate Sarah’s supportive manner, her clear explanations of the legal issues and willingness to fight their corner robustly when appropriate.

Noted in the 2024 edition of Chambers UK, Carmel is a Partner at the firm who is described as having “a willingness to go over and above what is needed to make her stand out”. Dealing with a range of children and family matters, often with an international element, she advises on divorce, separation, and high value financial cases, often involving nuptial settlements, off-shore assets and complex trust and company structures. She is also frequently instructed to provide advice on asset preservation, cohabitation matters and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Carmel has provided commentary as a family law expert in various publications and the national press, including The Times and The Guardian.

With a 20 year legal career behind him, Chris deals with all family and matrimonial matters and has a long-running track record of success when resolving family disputes. He aims to provide an approachable yet steadfast service to his clients, advising on divorce, separation, cohabitee issues and disputes relating to children and finances. A Resolution member and a Family Law Arbitrator, Chris believes in a non-confrontational, dignified approach to resolving family matters and puts the welfare of any children at the heart of all decisions.

Providing a friendly and efficient service which is highly recommended by his clients, Steve is a Senior Partner and longstanding member of the firm. He has built a strong reputation over the last 34 years for dealing with complex family law matters where there is a farming or commercial element. With expertise in collaborative law and a committed member of Resolution, Steve aims to resolve each case in an amicable negotiated settlement, wherever possible, but is equally confident in dealing with those cases more robustly when a more forthright stance is required.