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Burges Salmon LLP’s ‘clever, commercial, personable and empathetic’ team advises on financial settlements in divorce, cohabitation claims, asset protection and children disputes, and is experienced in cases involving complex international assets. Ashley Palminteri recently acted in a cohabitation dispute over a £11.5m property. Catherine Hallam is ‘one of the cleverest family lawyers of her generation’.

Gareth Schofield heads Clarke Willmott LLP’s renowned team, which acts for professionals of all types in pre-nuptial financial planning, post-nuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Daniel Eames has assisted many high-net-worth clients in complex disputes and has notable experience in cases with an international aspect.

Caroline Ryan’s team at Hartnell Chanot & Partners has experience acting for public sector employees, including in high-value pensions disputes. Jane Chanot specialises in child abduction cases and Stephen Sowden, who is ‘a realistic and experienced lawyer’, has built a niche practice assisting grandparents. Julie Shrimpton shows ‘true professionalism and care’.

Stephens Scown LLP is a leading presence in the region, with lead partner Liz Allen a standout practitioner. The team recently advised on the first reverse pension sharing case in the country, and Michael Lowry acted in a large ancillary relief case involving US jurisdictional issues.

Ashfords LLP is ‘committed to and demonstrates the very highest standards of advocacy, case management and client support’. Practice head Rachel Edwards is ‘a formidable opponent’, and has acted in multimillion-pound disputes involving assets in Europe, Latin America and Australia.

Foot Anstey’s department is headed by highly regarded childcare specialist Helen Bull, who is ‘an excellent advocate’. Mark Chanter handles high-value matrimonial finance work and recently acted in a case involving a substantial pension and inherited assets, which is expected to go to the Court of Appeal.

Lester Aldridge LLP’s Jane Porter is ‘very personable and fights for her clients’, and acts in high-value financial remedy cases as well as Children Act matters. John Randle acts in complex, cross-border children cases, and is ‘a solicitor you would rather instruct than be up against’.

Family finance and childcare are core areas of expertise at Michelmores LLP, which shows ‘incredible focus on the individual client’s particular needs’. Team head Simon Thomas focuses on ancillary relief and financial disputes following cohabitation. Zoe Porter is ‘efficient and approachable’.

‘Very sound professional’ Carolyn Green heads Rickerbys LLP’s ‘excellent’ team. Recent cases include divorce and ancillary relief proceedings involving assets in the UK and US, and a complex Children Act case involving psychological assessment and an unprecedented type of specific issue order.

Stone King LLP’s caseload includes complex non-domicile matters as well as multi-party and collaborative negotiations. The ‘overall level of service is extremely high, and well managed’ by practice head John Brownrigg, who is highly recommended.

Stones Solicitors LLP’s team head David Howell Richardson has been instrumental in developing the law around capacity issues relating to potential carers of children. Graham Simm handles financial matters arising from divorce and separation.

TLT LLP’s esteemed practice head David Woodward is a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. Associate David Wheeler ‘handles a busy caseload extremely efficiently’, and has expertise in international child abduction cases.

Thrings LLP’s Fiona Kellow and Gwyn Randolph act in cases involving complex structures of business and agricultural interests, trusts and pensions, and recently represented a society figure with inherited family assets and foreign property valued at over £10m.

Tozers LLP’s team head Tracy Lambert and Tony Wood are ‘excellent all-round advocates’. Wood heads the new public funded specialist team in Newton Abott. Matrimonial finance and children cases are mainstays of the practice.

Highly experienced lawyer Christopher Nisbet heads Wilsons’ team, in which Katharine Shaw increasingly handles pre-nuptial agreements. The group is also experienced in advising on the protection of inherited wealth and property portfolios during divorce.

Richard Ellis at Withy King LLP has child protection expertise and recently acted in complex care proceedings with an international element. Jon Toogood is an accredited specialist in matrimonial advocacy and pensions, and acts in high-value divorce cases.

Leanne Weatherill is director of the family team at Battens Solicitors Limited, and has expertise in high-value financial settlements.

Wendy Kemp’s team at Crosse & Crosse recently acted in child abduction and Forced Marriage Act cases, among others.

Victoria Daniell heads Gregg Latchams LLP’s team.

Alison Hawes at Irwin Mitchell specialises in co-habitation and co-owned property issues.

Jonathan Talbot is recommended at Laceys.

Collaboratively trained Tricia Gower is recommended and heads the team at Parker Bullen LLP. Clients include members of HM Forces.

The ‘quick-thinking’ Richard Baker leads Porter Dodson’s team; he shows ‘empathy and humour, and is straight down the line’.

Stokes Partners LLP’s David Stokes is highly regarded.

Andrew Mercer at Trethowans LLP is ‘extremely experienced, calm and efficient’.

The experienced Oliver Early at Veale Wasbrough Vizards undertakes collaborative work in Bristol.

James Grigg at Willans LLP represents high-net-worth individuals.

Phil Thorneycroft leads the team at Wolferstans, which covers domestic abuse, care and divorce finance matters.

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