Venters Solicitors > London, England > Firm Profile

Venters Solicitors
213 CAMBERWELL ROAD
LONDON
SE5 0HG
England

Private client > Family Tier 6

June Venters KC and Andrea Dawkins co-lead the ‘strong’ team at Venters Solicitors. Dawkins is a matrimonial and child care lawyer who handles a wide range of issues, from divorce and finance through to public law child care and Schedule 1 claims. The practice is also well-placed to advise on cohabitation disputes and domestic violence cases. Sherma Polidore has extensive experience in assisting clients with mental health issues.

Practice head(s):

June Venters KC; Andrea Dawkins

Other key lawyers:

Tracey Brett; Sherma Polidore

Testimonials

‘This firm has some really dedicated, hardworking and bright family law solicitors who go above and beyond for their clients.’

‘A very diverse team ensuring that they are well equipped to represent a diverse and broad range of clients. Specialist and experienced child care lawyers who are great to be instructed by.’

‘Sherma Pollidore is hardworking, super efficient and very organised; a joy to be instructed by and works really hard for her clients, ensuring that they receive high-quality and astute advice.’

‘Tracey Brett is a very experienced and knowledgeable child care lawyer.’

‘Andrea Dawkins is a very experienced child care lawyer and is lovely with her clients.’

Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex Tier 4

Focusing on advocacy and litigation in relation to children proceedings, the ‘efficient, proactive and dynamic’ team at Venters Solicitors regularly advises local authorities and vulnerable clients on care proceedings, contact disputes and cases involving allegations of parental alienation. Co-heading the team is London-based Andrea Dawkins and founder of the firm June Venters KC, who is based in Reigate; Venters is a Resolution-accredited specialist and often acts in cases involving children in the family and criminal courts.

Practice head(s):

June Venters KC; Andrea Dawkins

Other key lawyers:

Lauren Naismith; Reena Patel; Ailsa Kirkham

Testimonials

‘Overall the company works as a team, is exceptionally welcoming, friendly yet professional at all times. Regular meetings with all professionals and clients to ensure all options are being explored. Staff are very observant and sensitive. They have measures in place to ensure inclusion initiatives are followed thoroughly and naturally.’

‘They have a strong presence and good availability for clients in the southeast. You are treated with kindness and respect even as a Legal Aid client. The empathic approach and honesty makes you feel taken care of from the outset.’

‘They give the sense that they genuinely want to take care of you. They understand that it’s a scary process and they take the time to listen to you and manage your hopes and expectations realistically.’

‘Lauren Naismith and her team are outstanding members. Their quality of service and responsiveness makes you feel like you are their only clients. They inspire confidence, are supportive and caring. Lauren Naismith goes above and beyond all expectations, she takes the time to listen, research, collaborates with other professionals and then gives you accurate and sound advice. She puts your thoughts and wishes at the centre of discussions and always talks and treats you with respect. Lauren Naismith has positively changed my attitude and preconceptions of solicitors and legal procedures.’

‘Venters work together as a cohesive team to give their clients an unparalleled service.’

‘Reena Patel is hard-working and really goes above and beyond for her clients. Reena is an expert at dealing with the complexities of representing a local authority as she is at representing a parent. Reena is knowledgeable, helpful and a pleasure to work with. Ailsa Kirkham is a compassionate solicitor who is excellent at helping those that require additional support.’

‘The team is efficient, proactive and dynamic. They stand out in their field in respect of understanding the needs of the client. They understand the priorities and expectations of the local authority that they represent. Venters communicates clearly and often and understand that this is vital for the maintenance of a good relationship.’

‘The individuals that I work with at Venters communicate clearly and provide regular progress updates. Lauren Naismith and Reena Patel are exceptional and proactive communicators. They are responsive and advise on the best course of action. They are positive and calm and focus on solutions rather than the difficulties that need to be overcome. They have our trust.’

South East > Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex

Focusing on advocacy and litigation in relation to children proceedings, the ‘efficient, proactive and dynamic’ team at Venters Solicitors regularly advises local authorities and vulnerable clients on care proceedings, contact disputes and cases involving allegations of parental alienation. Co-heading the team is London-based Andrea Dawkins and founder of the firm June Venters KC, who is based in Reigate; Venters is a Resolution-accredited specialist and often acts in cases involving children in the family and criminal courts.

Practice head(s):

June Venters KC; Andrea Dawkins

Other key lawyers:

Lauren Naismith; Reena Patel; Ailsa Kirkham

Testimonials

‘Overall the company works as a team, is exceptionally welcoming, friendly yet professional at all times. Regular meetings with all professionals and clients to ensure all options are being explored. Staff are very observant and sensitive. They have measures in place to ensure inclusion initiatives are followed thoroughly and naturally.’

‘They have a strong presence and good availability for clients in the southeast. You are treated with kindness and respect even as a Legal Aid client. The empathic approach and honesty makes you feel taken care of from the outset.’

‘They give the sense that they genuinely want to take care of you. They understand that it’s a scary process and they take the time to listen to you and manage your hopes and expectations realistically.’

‘Lauren Naismith and her team are outstanding members. Their quality of service and responsiveness makes you feel like you are their only clients. They inspire confidence, are supportive and caring. Lauren Naismith goes above and beyond all expectations, she takes the time to listen, research, collaborates with other professionals and then gives you accurate and sound advice. She puts your thoughts and wishes at the centre of discussions and always talks and treats you with respect. Lauren Naismith has positively changed my attitude and preconceptions of solicitors and legal procedures.’

‘Venters work together as a cohesive team to give their clients an unparalleled service.’

‘Reena Patel is hard-working and really goes above and beyond for her clients. Reena is an expert at dealing with the complexities of representing a local authority as she is at representing a parent. Reena is knowledgeable, helpful and a pleasure to work with. Ailsa Kirkham is a compassionate solicitor who is excellent at helping those that require additional support.’

‘The team is efficient, proactive and dynamic. They stand out in their field in respect of understanding the needs of the client. They understand the priorities and expectations of the local authority that they represent. Venters communicates clearly and often and understand that this is vital for the maintenance of a good relationship.’

‘The individuals that I work with at Venters communicate clearly and provide regular progress updates. Lauren Naismith and Reena Patel are exceptional and proactive communicators. They are responsive and advise on the best course of action. They are positive and calm and focus on solutions rather than the difficulties that need to be overcome. They have our trust.’

Venters Solicitors is a well-respected legal and mediation practice with offices in South London, Central London and Surrey, and mediation facilities across London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. Its founder and managing partner is June Venters KC, the first woman solicitor ever to be appointed King’s Counsel.

The firm: Venters Solicitors has a dedicated team of solicitors, case workers and mediators who have vast experience and are specialists in their field. The firm takes a professional, pragmatic and proactive approach to cases and offers transparency when it comes to costs.

Over the years, the firm has represented numerous cases, many of which have been ‘high profile’ and which have received considerable media attention. However, whatever the nature or seriousness of the case, the firm is committed to providing its clients with a first-class service and value for money.

Venters Solicitors seeks to support its clients throughout the progress of their case and to ensure that they are kept fully informed. The firm provides straightforward advice and ensures that every client is aware of all options that may be available to them in the pursuit of justice.

Types of work undertaken: Venters Solicitors undertake all aspects of family, children, criminal law and family mediation. This includes:

Family: divorce/separation/civil partnerships/pre and post nuptial arrangements/children cases/re-location cases/international child abduction cases, care proceedings, adoption, special guardianship and domestic abuse.

Crimes involving relationships: Coercive behaviour, false allegations, female genital mutilation, honour-based violence, offences involving children, sexual offences and violent offences.

Family mediation: finance/children and direct consultation with children.

Venters solicitors is led by June Venters KC (the first woman solicitor to be appointed King’s Counsel) who has specialised in the fields of family and criminal law throughout her entire career and who sits as a recorder in the Crown Court and County Court.

All senior family solicitors are accredited and members of either the Law Society Family Panel or Resolution both of which is a mark of excellence.

Venters Solicitors will work in a way to preserve its clients’ dignity and where possible to encourage agreement. However, in cases where it is not possible to achieve agreement and court proceedings have to be pursued, Venters Solicitors aims to ensure that any proceedings are conducted in a constructive and realistic way to minimise conflict and distress as far as possible but with the objective being to achieve at all times the best possible outcome for its clients.

Other offices: Reigate, Surrey and Camberwell, London

Department Name Email Telephone
Senior partner June Venters KC j.ventersqc@venters.co.uk 01737 229 610
Family June Venters KC j.ventersqc@venters.co.uk 01737 229 610
Family Andrea Dawkins andrea.dawkins@venters.co.uk 0207 277 0110
Criminal law June Venters KC j.ventersqc@venters.co.uk 01737 229 610
Civil and family mediation June Venters KC j.ventersqc@venters.co.uk 01737 229 610
Civil and family mediation Elsbeth Wells eslbeth.wells@venters.co.uk 01737 229 610
Photo Name Position Profile
Sherma Polidore photo Ms Sherma Polidore
Photo Name Position Profile
Tracey Brett photo Ms Tracey Brett Solicitor
Andrea Dawkins  photo Ms Andrea Dawkins Partner
Francesca Ghisoni photo Miss Francesca Ghisoni Family and Childcare
Photo Name Position Profile
June Venters KC photo June Venters KC June Venters KC became the first woman solicitor Queen’s Counsel in 2006.…
Number of UK partners : 7
English
Association of Lawyers for Children
Solicitors Regulation Authority
Resolution
Resolution Accredited with particular specialisms in Children Law and Private
Family Law Advanced Panel
Law Society Children Panel
Children Law Scheme Children’s Representative
Children Law Accreditation