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.

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.

Starting her legal career as a paralegal and then qualifying as a solicitor, Julie heads up the Family Law team at this large, well established law firm. She has dealt with a wide range of cases, from the straightforward to the highly complex, guiding clients through divorce and separation, family finances, child arrangements, and domestic abuse as well as advising on wealth protection matters in relation to pre-nuptial agreements. Julie is experienced in complex financial disputes often involving lump sum settlements, property adjustment orders, pension sharing and attachment orders as well as maintenance (both for a spouse and children). A member of Resolution with an accredited specialism in the areas of financial provision, private law children work and domestic abuse, and a family mediator, Julie is committed to minimising conflict for clients by seeking negotiated and collaborative solutions where possible.

Committed to achieving excellence in his role as a family solicitor and providing pragmatic and child focused advice to his clients, Jonathan is a dedicated professional at this highly regarded specialist family law firm. He has gained expertise in issues relating to family and relationship breakdown, with a particular specialism in financial disputes and arrangements for children. Approaching each case in a sympathetic, yet practical manner, Jonathan is a member of The Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation Scheme specialising in private law children and domestic violence, a member of Resolution and is an advocate of the mediation process; he is currently training to be a mediator. He prides himself on offering a high level of service, resolving matters practically and swiftly to achieve the best possible outcome.

Beth is highly experienced in all areas of family law with a particular skillset in financial and property disputes arising from divorce, and child arrangements. A Managing Partner at this specialist family law firm, her expertise spans 25 years in family law, including straightforward disputes about the family home to more complex cases involving large pensions, businesses, and multiple properties. She has acted for parents, grandparents, and other family members in cases regarding child arrangements and also been involved in matters concerning a child’s religion, medical treatment, change of name, and cases where a guardian has been appointed for the child. She also has experience in cohabitation law disputes, domestic abuse cases, and drafting family law agreements such as pre-nups and cohabitation agreements. Beth is also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Accreditation Scheme.

A vastly experienced family law expert with a number of accreditations to her name, Fiona is a Partner and Head of the Family Team across a number of offices of this reputable law firm. Well versed in a range of matters relating to families and relationships, she specialises in more complex medium to high-net-worth financial cases (particularly those involving businesses, inherited assets, farms and family-owned or controlled assets/trusts), wealth protection, pre-nuptial agreements and same-sex marriage/civil partnership breakdowns. Recognised in The Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Individual’ and top ranked in Chambers & Partners, she is described as “organised with a very calm approach”. Fiona is also a family mediator, a family arbitrator, a collaborative lawyer and an experienced Deputy District Judge/Specialist Financial Remedies Judge. Appreciated for her firm but fair, pragmatic and determined manner, she prides herself on her attention to detail and the breadth and depth of knowledge that she can bring to each case.

With over 40 years’ experience in family law, Kevin has built up extensive knowledge in this field and can act on behalf of clients in all family law matters. One of the firm’s Partners, he deals with a range of matters including divorce, separation, and children issues, with a particular interest in care proceedings. Kevin understands how stressful the legal process can be and offers honest and sensible advice. He is committed to dealing with matters in a non-confrontational manner putting clients’ interests and those of any children at the forefront of the process.

Widely regarded for his strong negotiation skills and ability to achieve prompt solutions, Andy is a highly accomplished divorce and family law specialist with a career spanning 27 years. With an enviable reputation in the Derby area, he deals with all aspects of matrimonial law, including divorce, children matters, financial settlements as well as civil partnerships, separation, cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements. He has been a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives since 1996 and is recognised as a Resolution accredited specialist in domestic violence, private children law and cohabitation. Andy is also a member of Resolution and promotes the settling of issues in a non-confrontational and amicable manner.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives with over 28 years’ experience, Claire is a highly regarded expert in the area of children law. She has been a member of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme since 2000 and provides advice and representation to parents, grandparents, extended family members and the child/children, either directly when they have capacity to provide instructions or through their Guardian. Her caseload involves care proceedings where the Local Authority are involved with the family, often involving allegations of physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, domestic abuse and mental health issues. Claire is also able to assist in private law proceedings involving arrangements for children. She prides herself on offering sensitive, practical advice and offers assistance prior to any court proceedings being commenced, within the pre-proceedings process.

A Partner and a well respected family solicitor in the community, Daniel has been providing advice in family law matters since the beginning of his legal career with a specialism in high value asset cases. He is also able to handle cases involving divorce, separation, property disputes between unmarried couples, civil partnership dissolution, children matters and drafting separation and cohabitation agreements. Daniel is able to offer collaborative law services and is an FMC accredited mediator, dealing with all areas of family mediation including separation, finance and children.

Noted for her compassion, efficiency and vast expertise in family law, Joanne is a Partner at this long established law firm serving the Derby community. She is able to provide advice and assistance on a broad spectrum of family related issues including divorce, financial and children matters, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and all aspects of separation. She regularly acts on behalf of high-net-worth clients in complex and sensitive cases, often involving significant assets, either in property, investments, companies, or pensions. Her sympathetic approach to clients is matched by her ability to negotiate but also be a tough opponent; Joanne is someone you want on your side. She is an advocate for conciliatory negotiations and offers her clients sensible advice about the options available to them with practical cost information, both at the beginning and throughout the proceedings.

Partner and Head of the Family team, Ruth is a family law expert and specialises in the financial disputes arising from relationship breakdown. Representing a broad spectrum of clients from senior executives, GPs, and accountants to business professionals and sports people, she handles divorce, complex cases involving pensions, properties, investments and businesses, and arrangements for children. She is also well versed in negotiating and drafting marital and cohabitation agreements. Passionate about helping her clients rebuild their lives, Ruth promotes a non-confrontational approach to her cases and works to achieve a fair outcome for all parties, within a reasonable timescale and cost. She is a member of Resolution and an experienced mediator.