United Kingdom > London > Private client > Family
Index of tables
Family
Leading individuals
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- Douglas Alexiou Alexiou Fisher Philipps
- Gillian Bishop Family Law in Partnership LLP
- Simon Bruce Farrer & Co
- William Longrigg Charles Russell LLP
- Sandra Davis Mishcon de Reya
- Gill Doran Withers LLP
- Stephen Foster Stewarts Law LLP
- Pauline Fowler Hughes Fowler Carruthers Ltd
- Elizabeth Hicks Irwin Mitchell LLP
- Frances Hughes Hughes Fowler Carruthers Ltd
- Anne-Marie Hutchinson Dawson Cornwell
- Jeremy Levison Levison Meltzer Pigott
- Julian Lipson Withers LLP
- William Massey Farrer & Co
- Diana Parker Withers LLP
- James Pirrie Family Law in Partnership LLP
- Miles Preston Miles Preston & Co
- Fiona Shackleton Payne Hicks Beach
- Barbara Simpson Boodle Hatfield
- Ray Tooth Sears Tooth
- Helen Ward Manches LLP
Hughes Fowler Carruthers Ltd is a leading niche family practice. Capable of handling matters ranging from ancillary relief to the international ‘big-money’ cases, such as Imerman v Imerman, the team receives plaudits for its industry knowledge and professionalism. ‘Kind and forthright, but a formidable adversary’, Frances Hughes has a superb reputation, as do the ‘knowledgeable, efficient and helpful’ Pauline Fowler, ‘incredibly astute’ Joe Vaitilingam, ‘calm and rational’ Alex Carruthers, and ‘talented and effective’ Renato Labi.
Manches LLP has a well-established family law practice which has long had a rightful place at the very forefront of the area. With strength in complex, multi-jurisdictional cases, the firm fields some excellent practitioners; head of the practice Jane Craig, James Stewart and Jo Edwards are all recommended by clients, and ‘first lady of family’ Helen Ward is a ‘formidable and tenacious litigator who never loses sight of her client’s interests’. The team is distinguished by its breadth of expertise across all aspects of family law, and its strength in depth beyond the star names.
The premier practice at Withers LLP encompasses every facet of family work, handling groundbreaking international cases such as Imerman, high-value pre-nups, and ‘leave to remove’ applications. The eight-partner practice receives superb client feedback, with its international reach particularly appreciated. Head of the practice Julian Lipson is ‘brilliant, practical and shrewd’; Suzanne Todd is ‘of exceptional note, full of sympathy and insight’; and Mark Harper, Gill Doran, Michael Gouriet and Diana Parker are noted for their ‘analytical approach while being commercially astute and practical’. In April 2011 the team was further boosted by the arrival of Suzanne Kingston from Dawsons LLP.
Charles Russell LLP has a strong, internationally focused family practice aided by its offices in Geneva and Bahrain. The ‘extremely sound’ Sarah Higgins and ‘unerring’ William Longrigg co-head the team, which includes children’s case specialist Tanya Roberts, who has ‘an extraordinary work ethic’, and ‘strong act’ Erica Shelton. Sarah Whitten and Miranda Fisher are also recommended. The family team also benefits from the firm’s strength in all aspects of private capital.
Simon Bruce heads the ‘exemplary’ seven-partner practice at Farrer & Co, which is complemented by a strong trusts and tax team. Headline cases in 2010 included pre-nup case Radmacher, and Re Robson. ‘Matters are dealt with commercially, quickly, politely and without hostility or needless point scoring’. Clients recommend the ‘pragmatic’ Claire Gordon, ‘insightful’ Jeremy Posnansky QC, ‘first-class and able’ Mark Fenton, and ‘polished and accomplished’ William Massey. The ‘sure-footed’ Veryan Exelby has returned to the practice.
Ian Airey heads the six-partner team at Payne Hicks Beach, which regularly acts for ultra-high-net-worth individuals with assets over £50m. Standout recent work includes acting in the Radmacher case. The ‘excellent’ Fiona Shackleton is the ‘doyenne’ of family law, and is well known for her work for high-profile celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney and Katie Price. Philip McGuirk, Simon Beccle, Fiona Brown and Harriet Wait are also recommended; their ‘client care is second to none’.
The ‘personable’ Tom Amlot joined Alexiou Fisher Philipps from Harbottle & Lewis LLP in 2011, boosting a team which includes standout practitioners Douglas Alexiou, Jeremy Fisher and Susan Philipps. The firm acts for a diverse client base of entertainers, entrepreneurs, aristocrats and business leaders.
ADR pioneer Family Law in Partnership LLP is a highly supportive and professional practice whose members receive excellent client feedback. Daniel Coombes ‘leaves no stone unturned in his preparation of cases going to trial’; Bradley Williams is ‘a man of integrity’; James Pirrie is ‘very creative and thinks out of the box’; David Allison is ‘highly responsive’ and ‘dedicated to the welfare of clients’; and Gillian Bishop and Nicole Hackett are also recommended. The team has a successful track record in appeals, recently acting in the Golubovich case, which established that the English courts should recognise decrees of divorce competently made elsewhere.
‘Class act’ Levison Meltzer Pigott handles all aspects of family law from complex finance to international divorce cases. The outstanding team includes ‘shrewd tactician’ Jeremy Levison, who ‘inspires total confidence’; Simon Pigott, who is ‘charming but with a steely core’; the highly rated Alison Hayes, who is ‘no nonsense and clear’; and the ‘clever and astute’ Julian Ribet.
The ‘experienced and responsive’ Sandra Davis heads the four-partner team at Mishcon de Reya, which acts for a raft of high-net-worth individuals, including those in the public eye. Barbara Reeves is ‘pragmatic, supportive and knowledgeable’, and Melissa Lesson is ‘excellent on child-related issues’.
Stewarts Law LLP continues to gain ground with instructions on a slew of complex, high-value cases. Stephen Foster heads an ‘exceptionally strong’ four-partner team which includes big hitters Emma Hatley (‘very pleasant with endless time for her clients’) and the ‘knowledgeable and proficient’ Debbie Chism. The team was boosted by the arrival of ‘star in the making’ Richard Hogwood from Speechly Bircham LLP.
Bindmans LLP has a superlative reputation for its private and public children’s law work, recently acting on the first-ever family referral to the Court of Justice of the EU. The practice also has significant expertise in international child abduction matters. Practice head Katherine Gieve is ‘astute, assiduous, intelligent and tenacious’, and ‘chases down each issue to great effect’; and Liz Dronfield’s advice is ‘pitch perfect’.
Maggie Rae heads the practice at Clintons, which regularly acts for high-profile individuals in the music and sports industries. Recent work includes various complex ancillary relief and adoption matters. Liz Vernon is recommended.
Collyer Bristow LLP has a ‘quality’ family practice which handles a range of work, from complex finance cases to multi-jurisdictional pre-nups and contested ancillary relief claims. The ‘committed’ Toby Yerburgh heads a strong team which includes standout practitioners Michael Drake, Gillian Rivers and father-and-son duo Geoffrey Rutter and Philip Rutter. The team provides ‘a Magic Circle service without the Magic Circle fees’.
Dawson Cornwell’s varied workload includes complex international cases involving the recovery of foreign assets, and children cases. John Cornwell is highly rated for divorce work, while Anne-Marie Hutchinson is a ‘go-to’ lawyer for children matters. Clients also recommend the ‘responsive’ Carolina Marin Pedreño, and the ‘knowledgeable and extremely honest’ Lucy Marks. Jeremy Abraham joined from Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP, bringing a well-established practice.
Kingsley Napley LLP is ‘first rate’ for complex international family cases, whether children or family money are concerned, and has ‘an excellent understanding of cross-border issues’. The ‘outstanding’ Jane Keir heads the practice, which includes Duncan Ranton, an ‘excellent lawyer with a pragmatic approach’; the ‘vastly experienced’ Michael Rowlands; ‘utterly meticulous’ surrogacy specialist Miranda Baker; and the highly rated Charlotte Bradley and Emily Moore.
Founder Miles Preston is the key contact at Miles Preston & Co, which covers the full remit of family law, from pre-nups to complex financial cases which require international expertise. Anna Nice is recommended by clients.
Raymond Tooth at Sears Tooth is a ‘seasoned’ practitioner with a reputation as a formidable opponent, and a good choice for clients requiring uncompromising commitment to a cause. He is a lawyer of choice for ultra-high-net worth individuals, particularly in ancillary relief proceedings.
At Boodle Hatfield, practice heads Barbara Simpson and James Ferguson are ‘outstanding’ practitioners, and Anne Kay is ‘up and coming’. The team regularly advises high-net-worth individuals in complex financial and ancillary relief proceedings.
The ‘diligent and courteous’ Ann Northover and ‘personable’ Shona Alexander head the family team at Forsters LLP, which regularly handles complex international cases for high-net-worth individuals, including a raft of multi-jurisdictional pre-nups. The ‘quality’ team can also draw on the considerable trusts and tax expertise at the firm.
Goodman Ray has an excellent reputation for both public and private chidren’s law cases, ranging from international adoption to child abduction matters. The firm also has a growing ancillary relief practice. Peggy Ray inspires ‘complete confidence’; Jemma Dally is ‘totally committed to clients’; and Trudi Featherstone is a ‘highly effective litigator’.
Gordon Dadds regularly acts for high-net-worth individuals, including celebrities and household names, in complex finance cases as well as children matters. The ‘excellent’ David Ruck and ‘superb’ Anna Wagstaff head the practice.
Niche firm Harcus Sinclair has recently handled a number of instructions from trustees seeking matrimonial law advice when faced with a divorcing beneficiary, drawing on the firm’s wealth of trusts and tax expertise. The ‘experienced’ Roger Cobden-Ramsay and ‘extremely competent’ Kathryn Peat co-head the team.
The diverse practice at Hunters includes urgent child abduction cases and high-value pre-nuptial agreements. Henry Hood co-heads the team with consultant Martyn Daldorph, and is valued for ‘guiding clients through the divorce procedure with charm and efficiency’. Hetty Gleave is also highly rated.
The ‘insightful and flawless’ Elizabeth Hicks at Irwin Mitchell LLP oversees a high-calibre international practice, which was boosted by the arrival of ‘consummate professional’ John Nicholson from Speechly Bircham LLP, who has ‘excellent analytical skills’.
Osbornes handles complex and challenging cases for the legal aid sector and also a growing stable of wealthy international clients. The firm receives glowing plaudits from clients: practice head Julian Beard ‘knows his stuff’; Lisa Pepper is ‘constructive and smiling whatever the challenges’; and Mark Freedman is a ‘tough negotiator’.
Fiona Read heads the wide-ranging practice at Russell-Cooke LLP, and is ‘a tenacious opponent who handles high-quality work’. James Carroll is also recommended.
Christopher Butler has a good reputation at ‘classy outfit’ Speechly Bircham LLP, and James Freeman is ‘a superb technical lawyer’. The team can draw on the firm’s considerable trusts and estates expertise.
Lisa Bolgar Smith heads the team at Ambrose Appelbe, which provides ‘an excellent level of service’. Catherine Thomas is highly rated by clients.
Anthony Gold has a solid family team headed by Kim Beatson. It is ‘knowledgeable and helpful, and has quick response times’.
The ‘efficient’ Sian Jones heads the family team at Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, which acted in the Robson case in the Court of Appeal. John Darnton is recommended for his expertise in complex disputes.
Practice head Pamela Collis is recommended at CKFT (Cawdery Kaye Fireman & Taylor), for ‘her ability to communicate with clients and reach a sensible compromise’. In 2010 the team was boosted by the arrival of ancillary relief specialist Emma Morris from Rooks Rider Solicitors LLP.
Niche ancillary relief firm Camilla Baldwin Solicitors has a solid reputation. Camilla Baldwin and Penny Seguss are recommended.
John Burrell heads the family team at Davenport Lyons, which regularly handles pre-nups, divorce and cohabitation disputes.
Alan Kaufman at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP has an impressive reputation for his ‘practical and client-centred’ attitude.
Senior partner Eileen Pembridge heads the family team at Fisher Meredith LLP, while Maria Healy has a strong reputation for children matters.
Toby Hales heads the expanding matrimonial finance team at Hodge Jones & Allen LLP, which also fields an experienced children’s law team.
‘Conscientious and hardworking’, Caroline Penfold heads the team at RadcliffesLeBrasseur, which regularly acts in high-value divorce proceedings.
The International Family Law Group LLP’s Punam Denley, Lucy Greenwood and Carolynn Usher attract plaudits from clients, as does managing partner Ann Thomas. The team is ‘organised, empathetic and strategically excellent’.
Vardags’ Ayesha Vardag is ‘dynamic and sympathetic, and a tough negotiator’. The firm acted in the Radmacher case.
Niche practice Bross Bennett LLP Family Law Solicitors fields a team of able practitioners including the ‘tireless’ Adam Witkover and ‘intelligent and capable’ Sharon Bennett, handling high-calibre instructions involving matrimonial finance and children proceedings.
Alison Burt at Covent Garden Family Law has particular expertise in children matters.
Children-focused practice Duncan Lewis & Co provides ‘a personal service’ to its clients, with Laila Bhunnoo and Ritu Sood particularly recommended.
Harbottle & Lewis LLP has an excellent track record of advising its prestigious media client base on ancillary relief and other family matters, but will miss Tom Amlot, who left to join Alexiou Fisher Philipps.
Catherine Bedford at Lee & Thompson is a ‘very able’ lawyer who ‘gets the best result for the client’.
The London practice at Mills & Reeve LLP benefits from the firm’s strength in the regions. Roger Bamber and David Salter are particularly recommended.
The ‘extremely sound’ Julia Thackray at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is ‘highly experienced’ in complex finance cases, and specialises in divorce and children cases with an international element.
Teresa Cullen and Philippa Dolan at Rochman Landau are ‘professional, and inspire confidence’.
Schillings is well known for its celebrity client base, for which it handles divorce and private children matters. Keith Schilling and Rachel Atkins are recommended.
Deborah Jeff provides an ‘excellent’ level of service at Seddons.
T V Edwards LLP is recommended following its merger with Blacklaws Davis LLP Solicitors.The ‘friendly and knowledgeable’ Maud Davis is a popular choice for children proceedings.