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.

Partner and Head of the Family Law Department, John has a successful track record in family law over nearly three decades. He is highly sought after for his expertise in all matters relating to relationship breakdown and family disputes, with a specialism in complex financial disputes involving pensions, foreign property, companies and trusts, and child-related cases involving IVF, child arrangements, and same-sex couple disputes. A renowned collaborative practitioner, having been quoted in the national press and delivering training on collaborative law, John is committed to achieving amicable, fair settlements for his clients, avoiding court and saving stress and expense.

Described as “insightful, resolute and with exceptional client-care skills”, Charlotte is an accomplished family law solicitor, recognised in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 as a ‘Next Generation Partner’. A Director in the firm’s Family team, she stands out for her tough negotiation skills in a wide spectrum of family and matrimonial matters including divorce, associated financial and property disputes, children cases, and cohabitation issues. Charlotte has particular strengths in cases involving significant or complex assets, including those involving off-shore trusts, tax and foreign property, as well as complex and challenging children matters. As an experienced collaborative law practitioner and a dedicated member of Resolution, Charlotte always works to resolve issues in a swift and constructive manner with the client’s best interests in mind. For cases where the opposition requires a firmer hand, Charlotte can be a tenacious and robust advocate in order to reach a fair outcome. Her professionalism and counsel are deemed exemplary and at the forefront of Charlotte’s approach is a focus on providing her clients with the help and support they need to navigate an emotional time in their lives whilst guiding them to a successful conclusion.

Sarah has been practising in family law since 1987 and uses careful management and advice to support her clients through a range of challenging situations. A Consultant Solicitor at the firm, she is a specialist in children law, offering advice and assistance in care proceedings, adoption, special guardianship and private law cases. As a member of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme, Sarah is able to represent children, parents and other family members in care proceedings brought by the Local Authority, and in private law proceedings, often involving contact, residence and child maintenance.

Qualifying as a solicitor in 1999, David has dedicated his career to family law for more than 25 years. Well respected in the Keswick community, he provides advice in relation to a range of family related issues, with particular expertise in children matters. His work involves child contact and residence disputes, applications to remove children from the jurisdiction, special guardianship applications and care and supervision proceedings issued by Local Authorities. David is a member of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme, which enables him to represent parents, grandparents and children in child law proceedings throughout the region. Clients praise David for his pragmatic, calm and considered manner when handling their cases.

Client-focused and offering much needed support through what can be an emotional time, Vikki is a Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive in the Family team, serving the Keswick area. She provides advice and representation on all aspects of divorce, matrimonial finances, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements and cases involving children. Vikki is particularly well versed in high value cases as well as those involving pension assets, which has led to individuals employed in the nuclear industry and its supply chain, education, the NHS, the fire service and the public sector to use her services.

Director and Head of the Family Department at this respected law firm supporting clients in the Kendal area, Lisa is a talented and innovative family lawyer and divorce solicitor who is committed to offering a high level of service to her clients. She has considerable experience in family law issues, offering advice in all areas from divorce and separation to financial remedy, cohabitation breakdown and child arrangements. Lisa is also well versed in complex financial cases involving business interests, as well as challenging children cases involving child abduction, and domestic abuse. She is a member of Resolution and encourages her clients to reach agreement through compromise and negotiation, which helps to avoid conflict and is often a more cost effective approach.

An Assistant Solicitor at the firm and a go-to expert in the field of family law, John has been offering guidance to clients since 1994. He handles all issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship, from divorce and separation to financial disputes and Children Act cases. Providing clear advice in a friendly, personable manner, John prides himself on offering a high level of service which includes helping to unravel problems to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients.

A Consultant Solicitor with over 15 years of expertise and knowledge in family law, Suzanne specialises in all aspects of private family law work and has a strong reputation in the Kendal area. She is particularly well versed in financial remedy and private children law cases, and prides herself on her firm but conciliatory approach, building a trusted relationship with her clients. Suzanne is also committed to supporting the next generation of legal minds and mentors lawyers entering the profession, offering guidance on their career choices and wellbeing.

With a patient yet determined approach to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients, Alison has expertise in all family and matrimonial cases and has a 34 year record of success when resolving family disputes. A Partner at the firm, she is particularly sought after for her expertise in children matters involving care, adoption, special guardianship and complex private law cases. Alison has held membership of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme since 1995 and is able to provide advice and representation to children, parents and other family members in care proceedings, as well as private law cases.

Well known in the area for her empathetic approach to the often stressful area of family law, Amy has extensive expertise in the full range of matters and is a Senior Associate Solicitor and Head of the Family Law team at this award-winning law firm. As a separated parent herself, she knows only too well about the challenges faced following a relationship breakdown and is able to provide advice on divorce and separation with a specialism in children matters, regularly advising grandparents in child contact cases, as well as acting for clients in complex family disputes abroad. Amy has been a Deputy District Judge in family and civil law cases since 2019 which she undertakes on a part time basis.