Francesca Clay > Sternberg Reed LLP > Grays, England > Lawyer Profile

Francesca Clay

francesca.clay@sternberg-reed.co.uk

Work Department

Family Department

Position

Partner and Deputy Head of the Department.

Career

Francesca has been a rising star of the firm, commencing her employment with Sternberg Reed LLP in 2011, as a paralegal, and striving through the firms Development Programme, recognised by the Law Society, to achieve Partnership in October 2021. Francesca is the Assistant Head of the Family Department. Francesca is also Training Partner, she manages the firms training, and also oversees all trainees in the firm. Having grown with the firm herself, Francesca is able to support trainees to gain the very best experience, and to develop the future solicitors of the firm.

Francesca is a specialist in child law. She achieved the Law Society Children Panel accreditation in August 2021. Francesca has always had an abundance of complex and niche children work, primarily acting for parents in care proceedings and private children cases involving parents and grandparents, who often instruct her as a result of recommendation by an existing client or other professionals with whom she has worked with. Since achieving Panel accreditation,  Francesca has developed a large Guardian following, whereby she now also acts for children, either on direct instruction or through their Guardian.

Francesca has been an active member of the Essex YRes Committee for over 5 years. Francesca, along with other members of the team are committed to supporting the local community that the firm serves, by offering pro bono family advice to various organisations including Hestia, LBBD Children Centres, South Essex CAB, Thurrock CAB, Victim Support and local schools.

Memberships

Resolution and Children Panel