K J Smith Solicitors > Reading, England > Firm Profile

K J Smith Solicitors
5-7 Headley Road
Woodley
READING
RG5 4JB
England

Private client > Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 Tier 3

A boutique firm, K J Smith Solicitors covers the whole range of issues arising in family law. Founder Kerry Smith is accredited by the family law organization ‘Resolution’ as a collaborative family lawyer. Anna Ferro advises clients on all issues arising out of divorce, including financial and child-related matters. Further recommended come Kulbir Rahi and Chris Sutton.

Practice head(s):

Kulbir Rahi; Kerry Smith; Chris Sutton; Samantha Archer; Anna Ferro

Other key lawyers:

Jessica Jupp

Testimonials

‘Chris Sutton at KJ Smith is excellent. He’s extremely hardworking and his key strengths are giving the client’s realistic advice about what is achievable and he really understands the judges in his patch very well, and therefore he tailors his advice and strategy accordingly.’

‘Jessica Jupp is a joy to work with; her cases are always prepared with utmost diligence and she is excellent at putting clients at ease.’

‘Kulbir Rahi operates in a very collaborative way and is extremely good at engendering a team approach on behalf of clients. She also goes the extra mile for her clients. She develops really good working relationships and her attention to detail is very good. Good practical and sound advice is given and she handles clients really well.’

‘The practice is local and has a local feel about them. They have many offices in the area which made them accessible and have a community feel. I spoke to many firms before choosing them and they had the most personal feel compared to the rest. They listened to my case and gave me valuable feedback and it was clear they were interested in the person, case and not just my money. They are very knowledgeable, supporting and honest which gave me a lot of confidence and peace of mind.’

‘Kulbir Rahi encapsulates what is the best in practice. She is knowledgeable and able to communicate her knowledge in a way that makes it both understandable and interesting. She has addressed two of the groups of professionals with whom I interact and she has been well received by all of those involved. Where I have consulted her on specific matters she has always been able to provide concise and relevant advice in a timely way. Kulbir does her firm great credit.’

‘Anna Ferro has approached the matter with tenacity and has considered all of the financial disclosure in detail, highlighting gaps in the disclosure provided and therefore protecting her client. KJ Smith is always quick to respond.’

‘This is a practical very down to earth firm. Excellent value for money.’

‘From the beginning, the team actually listened to my story, and offered a more human experience and interaction. At a time in my life when I have been most stressed, KJ Smith Solicitors were understanding and made the difficult process as easy to go through to as possible. They are professional and upfront about billing, providing a detailed client care letter, invoicing monthly so I am aware of my position and there is no miscommunication.’

With offices in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey, this leading family law firm is known for its expertise in matters ranging from divorce, financial settlements and children, to mediation, civil partnerships and domestic violence. Services also include wills, trusts, probate, estate planning and wealth management.

The firm: Founded in 2009 in Henley-on-Thames, K J Smith Solicitors have since expanded into Reading (Woodley and Central Reading), Ascot, Basingstoke, Beaconsfield, Guildford, Richmond and Winchester. Kerry Smith, the firm’s founder, has worked exclusively in family law since qualifying and her team of specialists have collectively handled thousands of cases. K J Smith Solicitors adopt an effective team-based approach to every case, ensuring that clients are not reliant on the availability of one particular individual.

Appointments are also offered outside normal office hours as required. The service is tailored to each client’s requirements and is delivered in a discreet, friendly and caring manner. Client feedback regularly reflects the professionalism and compassion of all the firm’s lawyers and support staff, as well as their readiness to listen and advise.

The practice is a values-led business and is known for employing specialists who are able to provide the best possible outcome for their clients. The firm’s reputation is growing, both as a high-quality service provider to clients and as an excellent place to work. The firm prides itself on their commitment to offering support, guidance and career development across all roles, offering highly competitive salaries along with a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

  • A market leading bonus scheme
  • Private healthcare and an enhanced contribution pension scheme
  • Occupational benefits and incentive schemes
  • Wellness initiatives, including yoga and personal training for all employees

K J Smith Solicitors takes pride in delivering an unparalleled service that consistently delivers solutions of the highest quality to all clients, no matter how difficult or sensitive the situation.

Types of work undertaken: The team handles cases in all aspects of family law, from the straightforward to the highly complex. All matters relating to divorce are dealt with, and expertise is also provided in financial settlements, including income, property, pensions, trusts and offshore assets. The firm handles all matters relating to children, including residency and access, as well as deeds of separation and grandparents’ rights. The firm undertakes private work only and does not operate a legal aid franchise.

Our lawyers also have extensive experience in the preparation of pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, as well as cohabitation agreements, cohabitation disputes and civil partnerships. Domestic violence expertise includes physical, emotional, financial and sexual matters. Other services offered include change of name deeds, declarations of trust, lasting powers of attorney and deputyship applications.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Operations Director Elliot Clarkelliot.clark@kjsmith.co.uk0118 418 1000
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Samantha Archer photo Samantha ArcherPartner
Denise Bullock photo Denise BullockSenior Solicitor
Faizah Chaudhri photo Faizah ChaudhriSenior Solicitor
Elizabeth Head photo Elizabeth HeadAssociate Solicitor
Harpreet Sihra photo Harpreet SihraAssociate Solicitor
Number of UK partners : 8
Number of other UK fee-earners : 32
Resolution

“Chris Sutton has supported me for the last three years to improve access to my son. Chris is child centric, and is focused on their best outcomes. For three years we had a clear strategy to deliver my child’s wishes and how best to present the case on behalf of my child. Whilst I don’t wish for anyone to be in my situation, if they are they should call Chris.”


“In terms of feedback, I can’t really fault the support you [Kulbir Rahi] have provided me over the past couple of years, and in particular, your responsiveness at key times has been appreciated. I’ve been very happy with the advice given and I think your recent support in coming to a sensible settlement has been perfect. Your drafting has been excellent, and I have been very happy with the way we have worked between us to get the message across I wanted to throughout.”


“I would like to thank you [Anna Ferro] very much for all your hard work and persistence with my case. You have been immensely helpful in navigating a highly acrimonious divorce with an ex-husband who is determined to be as obstructive as possible!”


“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for all the advice and support offered by yourself over the last two years. You have made a challenging and at times very draining situation easier to deal with and I can’t thank you enough for that.”


“Thank you for all your hard work, the times when you have spoken to us, your advice to us, your messages in the evening, your wise words… honestly the list goes on!!”


“We would advise anyone to go and see you if they’re struggling with anything they need legal representation with.”


“From the first meeting, Robyn exerted warmth and understanding. Her kindness, clarity of explanation and patient understanding of my emotional state encouraged me to ask her to represent me in my divorce proceedings. As the process has progressed, she has always listened to my concerns and intuition regarding my husband’s plans. This meant she was able to take measures to protect me and bring about some action to the proceedings. Indeed, our decision has proved the right one as, otherwise, I would be in an even more difficult position and further away from any conclusion.

She has been vigilant in her updates and recognised when I needed a phone call rather than an email, to reassure, explain and offer a pastoral care. I trust her implicitly and would recommend her to anyone requiring a family law solicitor”