‘Known for its experienced family team of lawyers’, Birkett Long LLP has offices across Colchester, Chelmsford, Basildon and London, focusing on financial disputes and private law children issues arising from separation. Financial matters often include business assets, significant pensions, trusts, and tax issues; children work involves domestic abuse and parental alienation claims. Lisa Collins heads the team in Chelmsford, ‘a formidable solicitor’ with specialist knowledge of interventions within financial remedy proceedings. In Colchester, Mel Loxley leads the practice, with expertise regarding the treatment of personal injury compensation in divorce claims. Philip Hoddell is a go-to for disputes and wealth protection involving business assets, and Francesca Cozens is noted for her specialism in work for grandparents.
Family: Essex in South East
Birkett Long LLP
Practice head(s):
Lisa Collins; Mel Loxley
Other key lawyers:
Philip Hoddell; Francesca Cozens; Farrah Harvey-Nawaz; Karen Johnson
Testimonials
‘This is an exceptionally strong team of lawyers who are knowledgeable and able to assist.’
‘Lisa Collins is a formidable solicitor: she provides realistic, sensible advice and excellent client-care. Her knowledge of the law and experience are second to none. I cannot recommend her highly enough.’
‘Farrah Harvey-Nawaz has strong attention to detail and knows her cases inside out. She provides great reassurance to her clients in her level of knowledge.’
Birketts LLP
The Essex-based Birketts LLP family offering is a ‘brilliant team, full of highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals’. The team’s non-court dispute resolution offering is a particular stand out element, with access to the national team’s mediation capabilities and financial remedy arbitration, offered by Chelmsford head Emma Brunning. Brunning is additionally trained to offer the one lawyer one couple model, with a focus on the most complex financial disputes, often involving business assets, pensions, and tax issues. Lucy Birch joined the team from Stowe Family Law LLP in June 2024, with a particular interest in complex children matters including acting for grandparents in special guardianship orders.
Practice head(s):
Emma Brunning
Other key lawyers:
Tom Wright; Lucy Birch; Dharshica Thanarajasingham
Testimonials
‘I have been really impressed by Birketts LLP. They have a brilliant team, full of highly skilled and knowledgeable individuals. They are able to turn around work quickly and I have been impressed with their commitment to clients, with no task too much trouble.’
‘I was very impressed with Tom Wright, who went above and beyond for his client. He was very compassionate towards the client but he did not let this diminish his professionalism nor the quality of his advice (which was excellent at every stage).’
‘Lucy Birch is a strong advocate for her clients and provides huge support for them as well as excellent legal advice. She wants good outcomes for her clients in the most cost effective way and encourages the use of ADR. Lucy is an excellent solicitor and I will continue to refer work to her and work alongside her.’
‘They offer an incredibly personalised service in which they offer enormous support to the client, whilst providing first class legal advice and service. Their clients have complete trust in them that is well deserved. I have seldom experienced such a cohesive and happy relationship between client and solicitor; and it is not just in one case but with each case that I have worked with them on.’
‘I worked with Katie Beaven with great success last year. She was simply wonderful with the client and held up a very fragile individual during a very stressful process.’
‘The Chelmsford family team at Birketts have grown over the past few years, with greater strength and depth to their offering.’
‘Emma Brunning as head of the family team in Chelmsford is widely recognised as a leader in the local family law community, especially for the promotion of Essex arbitration.’
‘Lucy Birch is extremely bright, capable and presents with experience far beyond her years. She is well respected locally and has a calming influence in even the most acrimonious of cases.’
Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP
The ‘knowledgeable and professional’ family team at Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP acts across financial and children matters, with wealth protection, cohabitee cases, and domestic abuse matters also within the team’s expertise. Charlotte Knappett took over as head of the practice following Simon Osborn‘s retirement in April 2024. Knappett combines expertise in financial disputes and pre/post-nuptial agreements with experience handling international child abduction matters. Richard Busby is the go-to for matrimonial finance related property disputes, and Rachel Earnshaw specialises in children’s law.
Practice head(s):
Charlotte Knappett
Other key lawyers:
Richard Busby; Rachel Earnshaw; Ash Peachey; Julia Brewer; Lisa O’Boyle; Ties Bouwmeester
Testimonials
‘Everyone we came across at the practice and in the Family Team is very knowledgeable and professional. They are excellent at communication, keeping me up to date with my case and responding promptly to any queries. Their communication is thoughtful, taking into account the challenges I have been facing.’
‘I have valued the work and support that Ties Bouwmeester and his team are giving me. He is very approachable and understanding. Ties has lots of experience and is very knowledgeable. No question is too small and his responses are thoughtful, taking into account the challenges I face.’
‘The teamwork was amazing, all working together for the best interests of the client.’
‘My solicitor was Julia Brewer, she was extremely knowledgeable and professional but also extremely caring and empathetic. She treated me with respect and always explained every option available to me regarding my case, her whole team were brilliant and went above and beyond to help me. I can’t praise Julia and her team enough, even though it wasn’t the outcome wanted.’
‘Lisa O’Boyle is a great solicitor, very knowledgeable, and highly supportive to her clients.’
‘Very compassionate client-focused approach and can provide an all round children/finance service.’
‘Lisa O’Boyle provides excellent and realistic advice and looks after her clients really well.’
Pinney Talfourd LLP
Praised for its ‘attention to detail and professionalism’, the family team at Pinney Talfourd LLP covers a full range of divorce, financial remedy, Children Act, and wealth protection work. The team also supports cohabitees, and has a growing practice in surrogacy and fertility headed by Louise Eady. Catherine Polli heads the practice from Upminster, recommended for her ‘great negotiating skills’, while deputy head Claire Spurgeon, in Brentwood, regularly handles complex financial disputes involving business assets. In Hornchurch, Michael Sheville specialises in complex financial matters and private children law. Catherine Loadman departed the team in August 2024.
Practice head(s):
Catherine Polli; Claire Spurgeon
Other key lawyers:
Louise Eady; Michael Sheville; Surjit Verdi; Lucy Nicholson; Remyhs Baker; Jade Mercer
Testimonials
‘Catherine Polli stands out due to her extensive experience in all family law matters, approachability and clear communication style. She has great negotiating skills but is a force to be reckoned with when needed.’
‘The team at Pinney Talfourd LLP was exceptionally efficient in assisting me with urgent family matters. Their professionalism and attention to detail gave me confidence throughout the process. I appreciated how they took the time to understand my situation, offering clear guidance and support at every stage. Their responsiveness and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome stood out.’
‘My solicitor Louise Eady is an exceptional professional. She approached my case with great confidence, put everything into context, put me at ease and guided me expertly through the whole process. Louise has vast family law knowledge and experience and provided the right advice through to a very successful conclusion. I would recommend Louise to anyone with a family law problem needing guidance and advice.’
‘It does not really need to be said that Surjit Verdi is completely on top of family law detail. Surjit is a very smart and exceptional problem solver, who is also clear about what can and what is unlikely to be achieved. I would unreservedly recommend her as solicitor for somebody like myself who did not have the first idea of what the process involved or what the implications could be. I feel fortunate that she was my legal representative at this time.’
‘Pinney Talfourd is known for its strong family team headed by Claire Spurgeon, but they also have impressive more junior members of staff including Jade Mercer who is one of the best junior lawyers that I have come across.’
‘An exceptional team of family lawyers experienced in all aspects of family law.’
‘Michael Sheville is incredibly knowledgeable and tactically astute. His ability to anticipate the other side’s next move is unparalleled.’
‘Professional firm with a fantastic reputation within the industry. Always happy to recommend any of their family team who are approachable and diligent.’
Tees Law
The family team at Tees Law provides ‘commercially minded and sensible advice’ to clients on the full range of family matters. Joshua Coombe heads the Chelmsford team, ‘knowledgeable but easy to work with’ with specialist expertise in agricultural cases, cohabitee disputes, and Children Act claims. In Brentwood, Caroline Andrews heads the team, with a notable specialism in surrogacy and fertility law; she ‘promotes resolution and minimises conflict’. Lisa Honey has standout experience of cases including serious domestic abuse allegations. Alexandra Drew is a go to for financial matters involving significant business assets.
Practice head(s):
Sally Powell; Joshua Coombe; Caroline Andrews
Other key lawyers:
Lisa Honey; Alexandra Drew; Caitriona Rafferty
Testimonials
‘Caroline Andrews – she is a very experienced approachable lawyer, with great expertise in the field and has a very good manner and promotes resolution and minimises conflict with clients and the other side.’
‘Tees have a very client focused, bespoke approach which is of a very high standard. They are consistently pushing for their clients and achieve good outcomes for them.’
‘Joshua Coombes is a standout partner.’
‘Alexandra Drew is a rising star. Driven and enthusiastic. Great at building and maintaining client relationships.’
‘Tees have an excellent reputation locally for providing commercially minded and sensible advice.’
‘I would recommend Joshua Coombe, Lisa Honey and Catriona Rafferty. Joshua Coombe has considerable experience and is regarded as a formidable local solicitor.’
‘The entire team is very experienced and offers a comprehensive and reliable service.’
‘Joshua Coombes manages client expectations enabling early resolution of often difficult family disputes.’
Holmes & Hills
Holmes & Hills provides a ‘bespoke’, ‘excellent’ service to clients on divorce or separation, taking on matters which involve complex financial disputes and intricate child custody arrangements. Carol Toulson heads the practice from Marks Tey, ‘known for a calm and sensible approach’ to children matters where there are aggravating factors such as mental health issues, domestic violence, and substance abuse, as well as financial law cases with extensive asset pools. Kuba Kubiszyn and Alexander Garrett are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Carol Toulson
Other key lawyers:
Alexander Garrett; Alexandra Jury; Kuba Kubiszyn; Sarah Holbrook
Testimonials
‘The firm provides a bespoke service for clients requiring assistance with divorce and child arrangement issues (not just being a string to many of their bows), allowing them to provide an excellent service.’
‘Kuba Kubiszyn is a modern, very approachable Solicitor that matches client to Counsel (where required) perfectly.’
‘I think all of these Solictors are empathetic and understanding when going through a really tough time. The fact they have a really caring approach makes this firm different. In my experience they are all compassionate yet professional. If I felt extremely distressed and anxious about my court case I was reassured continuously and felt so much better after speaking to my solicitor Carol Toulson. Carol goes above and beyond and it really shows.’
‘A well honed team that works well together to get the ultimate gain for their clients and that is to win their case.’
‘Very professional, very friendly and make you feel confident and at ease.’
‘Kuba Kubiszyn handled my case, taking on the role mid-way through a lengthy negotiation. From the start he was reassuring and calm which I valued at the most stressful times. He also moved things along at a time when negotiations had become stagnant. Kuba was also totally professional in the face of some very difficult and objectionable opposition. I was very grateful to have him on my side.’
‘The Family Team at Holmes and Hills have a unique mix of legal knowledge and empathy towards their clients, who are often dealing with very personal matters.’
‘Carol Toulson is held in the highest regard locally, known for a calm and sensible approach to resolving even the most difficult of cases.’
Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP
Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP
fields a team of ‘dedicated, intelligent, and impressive individuals’ in its Essex family practice, headed by Christopher Wall. Wall is praised for his ‘strategic approach’, specialising in financial disputes involving complex business interests, foreign assets, and pension issues. Melanie Steeples has a growing practice in pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and Lauren Larkin has experience handling a range of family cases including arrangements for children and domestic violence. The firm has a specialist children department, within which Annette Lowen is a key name.
Practice head(s):
Christopher Wall
Other key lawyers:
Annette Lowen; Melanie Steeples; Lauren Larkin; Lorraine George; Sheenal Patel
Testimonials
‘I consider the stand-out star to be Melanie Steeples. She brings exquisite analysis, tactical acumen, attention to detail, and sensitive client care skills to every case.’
‘Very reputable firm of solicitors with offices in the heart of London and in Essex. A small close knit team of family lawyers who take great care of their clients.’
‘Sheenal Patel is a stand out performer. She is friendly and approachable and gets the job done. Always goes the extra mile for her clients.’
‘Annette Lowen is completely dedicated to her clients who receive an exceptionally high level of client care from her.’
‘Personalised service, highly responsive and caring whilst also providing firm, empathetic advice.’
‘The team is full of dedicated, intelligent, and impressive individuals. Clients are always brilliantly advised and well prepared for hearings.’
‘Chris Wall has a strategic approach to litigation which his clients reap the rewards of.’
Rayden Solicitors
The team at Rayden Solicitors takes a ‘calm, non-aggressive, human approach’ to highly complex financial and children-related disputes. Practice co-head Stuart Clark ‘is a standout partner’, with notable experience handling cross-border financial disputes arising out of divorce and separation, including those with international assets or jurisdiction issues. Nazia Rashid co-heads the team, ‘an excellent solicitor’ recommended for cases where issues of religion and culture are a factor, including non-qualifying marriage ceremonies.
Practice head(s):
Stuart Clark; Nazia Rashid
Other key lawyers:
Sara Roddis; Mehnaz Zanil; Beth Duffy
Testimonials
‘They had a calm, non-aggressive, human approach. Stuart Clark is very thorough and technical in his analysis of all situations.’
‘Raydens are a long established firm in Essex, they have a good understanding of the area and their client base. They are a firm that can be trusted to represent you whether your issue is your children or the finances arising out of your divorce.’
‘Nazia Rashid is an excellent solicitor with a strong and clear understanding of the law. She is calm but firm with clients and I am aware of many clients that love her.’
‘Nazia Rashid is very good on all things relating to Islamic marriage and divorce, and international matrimonial issues generally.’
‘It is a really strong team with highly experienced and well-respected lawyers. I would have no hesitation recommending them and I trust they would provide a great service.’
‘Stuart Clark is a standout Partner, who will go over and above for his clients. He is very technical and has great attention to detail.’
Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors
The ‘strategically astute family lawyers’ at Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors handle the full range of divorce and separation, financial remedy, child protection and cohabitation agreements, with experience in cases involving domestic abuse. Belinda Strange heads the team from Harlow, where Stephanie Holmes is also a standout team member, ‘sought after for all aspects of family law work’. Consultant Joyti Henchie is ‘an exceptional lawyer’.
Practice head(s):
Belinda Strange
Other key lawyers:
Stephanie Holmes; Joyti Henchie
Testimonials
‘The warmest, most helpful, pragmatic and strategically astute family lawyers, in the world maybe? Nothing is too much trouble, and the amount of confidence they give their clients at such a difficult time in their life is admirable. ’
‘Joyti Henchie is a stand out star in this field. Bar none. She is on top of every detail, and gives you really straightforward and clear advice, but with a huge element of reassurance. Her soft skills are first class, which is so very welcome of course. She’s just the best.’
‘Joyti Henchie is one of the very best out there. There is nothing she does not know about family law proceedings; she has a real depth of experience. She is empathetic, hardworking and committed to getting the best possible results for clients. Nothing is too much trouble. Her attention to detail and tactical acumen is astonishing and she has brilliant instincts. She is fearless, and unflappable. An exceptional lawyer.’
Family Law Partners
Family Law Partners provides ‘specialist, bespoke advice’, with an emphasis on out-of-court dispute resolution. In Chelmsford, Louise Buttery is noted as a ‘truly exceptional solicitor’, a qualified mediator and collaborative lawyer with experience handling both domestic and international child relocation matters. Buttery is also experienced in cases involving grandparents and complex child arrangements.
Practice head(s):
Louise Buttery
Testimonials
‘Louise Buttery is a truly exceptional solicitor, managing cases well beyond her years.’
‘Family Law Partners have built a well deserved reputation for specialist, bespoke advice. The partners have a national profile and are active in the national community.’
‘Louise Buttery works tirelessly for her clients. She is assiduous in ensuring that no stone is left unturned to achieve their goal whilst giving wise advice on outcome.’
‘Louise Buttery is an absolute delight to work with. I have worked with her on a number of collaborative matters. She knows the law but more than that she gives pragmatic, sensible advice and is kind to her clients. People forget that we deal with clients when they are often at the worst point in their lives but this is never forgotten by Louise. She is a tower of strength and looks for the best solution for the family as a whole. I wish everyone in practice was like her!’
‘I am always impressed with Louise Buttery’s work ethic and utter dedication to her clients. She always goes the extra mile for them. She is immensely personable and kind with vulnerable clients but gives very robust, sensible advice. Cases are always excellently prepared.’
‘The practice is a modern practice offering an excellent service to their clients.’
‘Louise Buttery is a very technically astute lawyer who approaches client matters with care, compassion and pragmatism.’
‘Family Law Partners are well known for their ADR focus, I cannot think of another firm like this. In the current climate this is so important and something clients want and need.’
Jefferies Essex LLP
The ‘hardworking and extremely client focused’ family team at Jefferies Essex LLP is headed by Anne-Marie Rainsford, an ‘excellent advocate’ with a specialism in children matters, including adoption, international matters, and non-accidental injuries. Sian Jenkins is also noted for her expertise in children matters: the team’s children law practice handles both private and public law children work, often acting for children. Brooke Robdrup-Kilgour is noted for this work.
Practice head(s):
Anne-Marie Rainsford
Other key lawyers:
Sian Jenkins; Brooke Robdrup-Kilgour; Shannon Tomkins
Testimonials
‘The Jefferies team are kind, caring, approachable, and professional. They care about the children involved in their cases and work hard to ensure that best outcomes are achieved for them.’
‘Anne-Marie Rainsford and Sian Jenkins are dedicated and experienced solicitors who go above and beyond with their clients and provide a professional and first class service when representing them in Court.’
‘They are extremely dedicated. Excellent legal advice and practical support to clients. The case management is really good. They have a good reputation with the judiciary and other professionals.’
Mullis & Peake LLP
‘Well-resourced and well-organised’, Mullis & Peake LLP has an experienced family law practice. At the helm of the team, Jessica Thrower ‘has experience and tenacity’ across matters including disputes between unmarried couples, emergency applications, and complex children matters. Roisin McCorry is noted for her advice on pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and Alison Brotherton is accredited in finances and domestic abuse. Jaspreet Burrha is sought after by Punjabi-speaking clients.
Practice head(s):
Jessica Thrower
Other key lawyers:
Roisin McCorry; Alison Brotherton; Callie Nimki; Jaspreet Burrha
Testimonials
‘Everybody that I dealt with at Mullis & Peake LLP were excellent. It was a very hard time for me and everybody was so helpful and friendly and could not do enough for me.’
‘Well-resourced and well-organised firm with Jessica Thrower being an incredibly knowledgeable family law solicitor. They provide a top-notch service to clients.’
‘Jessica Thrower has experience and tenacity when it comes to family law work. She is highly regarded and has a real understanding of client priorities and ensuring resources are deployed carefully to get the best result for the client.’
Palmers
Palmers‘ ‘dynamic team’ has bases across South Woodham Ferrers, Rayleigh, Basildon, Thurrock, and Chelmsford, handling a full range of financial, children, and cohabitation matters as well as pre- and post-nuptial agreements. The family team is headed by Karen Bishop, who regularly takes on financial disputes involving complex property issues, business assets and pensions, and Sarah Dowie ‘goes above and beyond’ in the Rayleigh office.
Practice head(s):
Karen Bishop
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Dowie
Testimonials
‘They are a dynamic team who really focus on good client outcomes. They are collaborative in the local community.’
‘Sarah Dowie is an excellent representation of the firm’s values. She gives personalised advice to her clients which often goes above and beyond the scope of the initial conversation.’
‘Palmers are a strong firm who give their clients sensible advice. Their cases are always well prepared.’
Thompson Smith and Puxon
The ‘highly respected’ family team at Thompson Smith and Puxon is headed by Louise Margiotta, an accredited mediator, collaborative lawyer, and parenting co-ordinator also trained in the Resolution Together one lawyer two clients model. The team has experience across financial and children disputes, including grandparent rights and children relocation, as well as cohabitation and pre/post nuptial agreements. Sarina Bailey joined the team in November 2024.
Practice head(s):
Louise Margiotta
Other key lawyers:
Sarina Bailey
Testimonials
‘The family team at TS&P are highly respected in Essex and Suffolk by the judiciary and practitioners alike. Whether in Children Act or financial remedy proceedings, the team have a reputation for being well-prepared, efficient and on-point. The advice they give their clients is sound and clear. They consistently deliver results for their clients.’
‘Louise Margiotta is nothing short of brilliant with her clients. I have seen her handle some of the most sensitive cases with care and dignity, without compromising on the procedural and legal issues that are in play.’
‘Sarina Bailey is a great family solicitor. She works incredibly hard for her clients and her case preparation is very good.’