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‘A market leader’, DWF LLP’s team has an overall ‘dedication to client care’. David Pickering is an ‘excellent tactician’, and has recently handled matters involving assets totalling over £100m; and Lesley Smythe has extensive experience in complex financial structures. Pauline McNamara maintains a strong reputation in Liverpool, and is a member of the Law Society’s Adult and Children’s Panel.

Mills & Reeve LLP provides an ‘excellent level of service’ to high-net-worth and high-profile clients. Nigel Shepherd is experienced in international issues, and the ‘kind, thoughtful and knowledgeable’ Alison Bull is also recommended.

Although it saw a number of departures in 2011, Pannone LLP still has a sizeable and experienced (and ‘refreshingly different’) team. Department head Andrew Newbury specialises in complex financial cases and is valued for his ‘calm manner and sensible approach’. Fiona Wood provides ‘expert guidance’, and Louise Halford specialises in child abduction matters.

Weightmans LLP’s team is led by Deputy District Judge Carole Atkinson, who has a ‘calm exterior, yet works furiously hard for her clients’. Atkinson handles high-value and complex claims, recently acting in a case involving assets worth over £50m. Fiona Davidson and Tina Dunn are noted for their ‘exemplary professionalism and client care’.

Brabners Chaffe Street LLP’s team, led by Helen Marriott, has seen an increase of instructions from high-net-worth clients. Paula Milburn joined from Hill Dickinson LLP, and has experience in representing business owners.

Gateley’s ‘client care is second to none’. Practice head Elizabeth Hassall is ‘extremely knowledgeable and professional’, and deals with high-value ancillary relief cases, often involving international elements.

The ‘very experienced and pragmatic’ Tricia Cottrell re-joined Hill Dickinson LLP’s Liverpool team from JMW Solicitors LLP. The practice represented a high-profile sports client in a Children’s Act matter, and is increasingly assisting on high-profile prenuptial agreements.

JMW Solicitors LLP hired Beth Wilkins and Catherine Jones from Pannone LLP, who are both considered leaders in the field. The team acts for several high-profile individuals, and is ‘proactive, professional, empathetic yet efficient’.

Although it has a relatively small team, Laytons provides a full service, regularly acting for high-profile clients and recently handling numerous high-value matters, including cases involving assets worth over £300m. Christine Barker heads the team, and Emma Gill is also recommended.

Linder Myers LLP provides ‘excellent service and support’, and is well respected for complex children matters. The practice is led by Janet Fleming, while Colin Davies has a partner liaison role. The firm’s merger with Rowlands Field Cunningham LLP added a number of lawyers to the team, including Tony Broadley.

Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers’ department head Amanda McAlister is at the ‘top of her profession’. The team attracts high-profile clients in the areas of divorce and ancillary relief, and has invested in mediation services. It has also hired a specialist to assist with shari’ah law matters. Sarah Thompson is ‘extremely professional and also approachable’; and Lorraine Harvey is also recommended.

Stephensons Solicitors LLP advises clients in the Greater Manchester area, handling both Legal Aid and privately funded work. The team is led by Mike Devlin, who is a leading figure in his field.

Aaron & Partners LLP’s Richard Barge represents business owners/shareholders and their spouses. Notable cases included a first-of-its-kind application for a ‘show cause’ procedure, which was used to enforce an agreement regarding child financial provisions.

Forbes has a busy family practice, with David Parkinson and Dawn Baker both acting in high-value divorces.

George Davies Solicitors LLP’s department head Robin Charrot is ‘good at seeing the big picture’, and leads a team which is ‘focused, with a personable approach’. It has experience in high-value divorces, and in pre and post-nuptial agreements.

Irwin Mitchell’s ‘fabulous’ team was boosted by the arrival of the ‘tenacious’ Ros Bever from Mace & Jones, who continues to attract high-level work.

Morecrofts LLP’s full-service family law offering includes acting for Legal Aid clients and advising on children issues. Managing partner Helen Broughton is highly recommended.

SAS Daniels LLP is noted for its ‘strength in depth’. The highly experienced Shelley Hesford sits as a Deputy District Judge. Liz Bottrill and Shelley Chesworth are also recommended.

Marilyn Stowe at niche firm Stowe Family Law LLP is recommended.

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