Hall Of Fame

Firms To Watch: Family: Hampshire

Barrister Tahina Akther leads Wildcat Law from Southampton, offering notable expertise regarding international matters and complex financial structures.

Family: Hampshire in South East

Blake Morgan LLP

The Southampton based team at Blake Morgan LLP is characterised by its ‘breadth of knowledge at all levels‘, assisting clients with issues relating to complex financial remedy involving business assets and pensions, to private Children Act matters. Practice head Simon Burge has notable expertise in high-net-worth relationship breakdown cases, and also advises on international child relocation. Jennifer Williamson is particularly sought after for work regarding menopause and family law. ‘Outstanding associateRachel Giles acts as a mediator, and often advises on pre- and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitee matters, and domestic violence matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Simon Burge


Autres avocats clés:

Jennifer Williamson; Rachel Giles


Les références

‘Blake Morgan are such a large firm that they are able to deal with any issue which arises in the context of financial remedies.’

‘Simon Burge has seen it all and is able to deal with anything that is thrown at him. He is calm, thorough and an excellent lawyer. He is a very reassuring presence to clients.’

‘I have felt understood and listened to and everything is explained clearly and in an understandable way. While the team look to mediate as much as possible, I am under no illusion that when it comes to fighting your corner, they will be tough and uncompromising when needed.’

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Moore Barlow

Moore Barlow’s team often handles complex financial remedy matters involving trusts, business structures, pensions and inherited wealth. Its expertise stretches to cohabitating couples, handling both agreements and matters around separation. Joanna Farrands heads the team from Guildford, leading the children team with particular experience in parental alienation cases. In Southampton, Judith Ball  is known for her expertise cases involving family businesses and complex pension matters, while Charlotte Millard handles the full range of family matters, including pre and post nuptial agreements. Debra Emery retired from the team in April 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Joanna Farrands


Autres avocats clés:

Judith Ball; Victoria Walker; Mandy Spring; Charlotte Millard


Les références

‘The breadth and experience of the team gives clients confidence and provides a comprehensive service.’

‘Judith Ball is intuitive and professional. Clients love her and opponents are aware of her skill.’

‘Charlotte Millard is very passionate about her commitment to help clients, and takes a holistic approach.’

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Paris Smith LLP

The team at Paris Smith LLP often engages in alternative forms of dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and private financial dispute resolution hearings. Practice head Frank Prior, in Southampton, specialises in matrimonial finance cases which involve owner managed businesses; in Winchester, Huw Miles often assists with cohabitation and nuptial agreements. Neil Davies is an experienced mediator, often handling financial cases with complex, international elements. Sarah Passemard is recommended for assisting vulnerable clients. The 'brilliant' Rachel Osgood is particularly adept at handling high-net-worth financial cases.

Responsables de la pratique:

Frank Prior; Huw Miles


Autres avocats clés:

Neil Davies; Sarah Passemard; Rachel Osgood; Lisa Bray; Heather Souter; Zoe Culverwell; Kirsty Morrison; Danielle Taylor


Les références

‘This is surely the leading specialist solicitors on the south coast of England. They have both determination to achieve the best possible outcome for their client and resolve to guide litigation through to success.’

‘Rachel Osgood is brilliant. She is diligent, efficient and caring. She asks questions to ensure you have thought of all aspects of the issues and puts her honest thoughts to you so you have all the information to make an informed decision about the best way forward.’

‘Neil Llewellyn Davies has worked at the highest level for over 25 years and continues to provide the best of a service available within the marketplace. He has great empathy with his clients with whom he builds close working relationships.’

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Irwin Mitchell

The ‘hardworking' team at Irwin Mitchell in Hampshire handles the full range of family matters, including living together agreements and pre- and post- nuptial agreements. 'Extremely knowledgeable' practice head Hayley Trim specialises in wealth planning and protection. Clare Wiseman heads the firm’s international family matters team, primarily acting for high-net-worth clients in complex disputes. Complex financial remedy proceedings are an area of strength for Eugenie Taylor; Jelena Korobkova and Hannah Braisted are also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hayley Trim


Autres avocats clés:

Claire Wiseman; Jelena Korobkova; Hannah Braisted; Eugenie Taylor


Les références

‘A very strong team, from partner to associate level.’

‘Claire Wiseman has huge experience and credibility with high net worth clients.’

‘Hannah Braisted is the best junior you can find.’

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Phillips Solicitors

Daniel Weintroub and Elizabeth Taylor co-lead the team at Phillips Solicitors from Basingstoke. Taylor handles a range of finance and children cases, and is well-equipped to handle mediation, and Weintroub is a ‘superstar' when it comes to complex financial matters, displaying expertise spanning the full spectrum of family law matters. Howard Gardener took a step back from partnership in October 2023, and works with the team as a consultant.

Responsables de la pratique:

Daniel Weintroub; Elizabeth Taylor


Les références

‘An excellent firm with exceptional partners and associates who specialise in a range of areas.’

‘Daniel Weintroub is a superstar in complicated financial matters with significant business assets. He is always on top of his papers and takes no prisoners.’

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Thrings LLP

Characterised by its ‘grounded and commercial approach', the team at Thrings LLP assists with a range of nuptial and cohabitation agreements, in addition to advising on divorce and financial remedy. The group routinely acts for clients whose assets involve farming estates, shareholding in companies, pensions and property. Practice head Sally Pike regularly handles hybrid mediation work for high-net-worth clients. Katy Barber is recommended for her ‘sensitivity and attention to detail', and is collaboratively trained and offers the one-lawyer one-couple model.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sally Pike


Autres avocats clés:

Katy Barber; Emily Gulliver


Les références

‘Thrings is an outstanding firm. They have a grounded and commercial approach which is refreshing in this field of law. They have established a fine team of lawyers and have a growing reputation as an exceptional provider.’

‘Katy Barber and Sally Pike are great to work with. They always fight their client’s corner, but will just as readily step back occasionally to look at the bigger picture and always engage in constructive discussion.’

‘Sally Pike has all the qualities one would wish from someone helping people through the minefield of matrimonial finance. She has long experience and remains unfazed by however difficult cases become. She forges exceptional working relationships with her clients and provides them with excellent commercial and sensible advice.’

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Trethowans LLP

The ‘well established and well resourced' team at Trethowans LLP has expertise spanning the full range of matters involving matrimonial finances, child arrangements, cohabitation, nuptial agreements, and surrogacy. Andrew Mercer, ‘a stellar individual’, is noted for his experience in handling family businesses and farms, while practice head Emma Wilders-Pratt is a key name for matters involving complex military pension interests. Grant Cameron heads the Southampton offering, and is trained in mediation and the one lawyer two clients model.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Mercer; Emma Wilders-Pratt; Grant Cameron


Autres avocats clés:

Kimberley Davies; Laura Bell; Amy Trench; Zoe Minton


Les références

‘Emma Wilders-Pratt was attentive and patient in private meetings and explained the process.  A calm and seasoned approach meant we have built the most successful start to post-divorce life, and peaceful co-parenting. I am very grateful for her involvement and manner.’

‘Grant Cameron has been an excellent advisor, based on both his skills & experience and also his balance between professionalism and human empathy which is such an important factor in family law, so often a new & daunting experience for clients, even for those already experienced with other areas of law.’

‘Laura Bell is an excellent solicitor whose approach is always client focused, friendly and constructive. Working with Laura is always a pleasure.’

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Dutton Gregory

Dutton Gregory LLP handles a broad range of cases involving coercive control and concerns around capacity, often acting for LGBT+ families. Jonathan Whettingsteel, whose ‘energy and enthusiasm' makes him ‘stand out not only in the firm but in the entire legal community’, heads the team. Collaboratively-trained Helen Cort is recommended for her strategic skill, and the ‘honest, thorough and reassuring' Paul Linsdell is noted for his experience in handling cases involving sexual abuse and domestic violence.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jonathan Whettingsteel


Autres avocats clés:

Helen Cort; Paul Linsdell; Kate Evans


Les références

‘Jonathan Whettingsteel’s energy and enthusiasm for all he does, and the rigour with which he presents his clients best interests is stand out not only in the firm but in the entire legal community.’

‘The firm are a staple of the local business population, and have a wealth of knowledge and insight about the various nuances of the local legal system.’

‘There is a definite ‘personal touch’ to the service provided by the team, and a definite feeling that they are somewhat personally invested in the service they provide. In particular, Kate Evans and Paul Linsdell have been assisting me through a very protracted process and have been incredibly understanding of the personal side of the process.’

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Family Law Partners

The team at Family Law Partners is known for its strong capabilities in dispute resolutionfielding a number of mediators, hybrid mediators, collaborative lawyers and an arbitrator. The ‘excellent' Hazel Manktelow heads the practice and is based in Petersfield, offering child-inclusive mediation and notable expertise regarding armed forces pensions. Jayne Llewelyn is a key name in the Winchester group, while Fleet's Emily Pain is particularly experienced in cases involving businesses, trusts, and inherited wealth.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robert Williams; Hazel Manktelow


Autres avocats clés:

Jayne Llewelyn; Emily Pain


Les références

‘They are a great team who work well together. They are known for their commitment to dispute resolution and to looking to the future both in terms of technology and in the way they work.’

‘Hazel Manktelow is excellent. She gives clear, user-friendly advice to clients who appreciate both her pragmatism and sensitivity. She always has her clients’ best interests at heart and helps them find practical solutions to meet their needs.’

‘The Family Law Partners provide a personal and friendly service. They are always willing to listen, are empathetic and provide good clear advice.’

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K J Smith Solicitors

K J Smith Solicitors, recommended for its ‘exceptional attention to detail', regularly handles a range of Children Act matters and financial remedy proceedings. The team is jointly led by Jennifer Murray in Basingstoke, Robyn Bowyer in Southampton, and Arabella Turner in Winchester. Bowyer is qualified as a barrister, and has a ‘real passion for people', while Turner regularly handles complex Children Act proceedings. Southampton's Derek Parsons is noted for his expertise in cross-border matters, and  Portsmouth-based Daniel Norris is a key name within the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jennifer Murray; Robyn Bowyer; Arabella Turner


Autres avocats clés:

Derek Parsons; Aaron Bailey; Daniel Norris; Lizzie Dravnieks


Les références

‘The team have great energy and exceptional attention to detail. They want the best for their clients and are always easy to contact.’

‘Dan Norris is forward thinking, friendly, robust and realistic. He gets the issues which matter and focuses on those for his client. I cannot generally speak highly enough of the K J Smith team, I have found each and every member of staff I have interacted with and worked with a pleasure to work with. They are communicative, responsive, motivated and open.’

‘Derek Parsons has years of experience and has a wonderfully personable manner. Derek robustly fights his client’s corner and is a firm negotiator.’

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Stowe Family Law LLP

Stowe Family Law LLP leverages its network of offices in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Fleet and Winchester. Liza Gatrell heads the team from Southampton, standing out for her experience in surrogacy matters both domestic and international. In March 2023 the firm acquired Fleet firm Watson Thomas, where 'brilliant solicitor' Samantha Armour is noted for her expertise in complex, high-net-worth financial cases. Vicki Rawlins has notable experience in nuptial and cohabitation agreements, and parenting plans.

Responsables de la pratique:

Liza Gatrell; Samantha Armour


Autres avocats clés:

Vicki Rawlins; Kate Anderson; Rosanna Hounslow


Les références

This is an excellent team with a great wealth of experience.’

‘Samantha Armour is a brilliant solicitor. Her case preparation is very thorough and she is focused on achieving settlement. Her approach is calm and pragmatic. She is joy to work with.’

‘The attraction to me of Stowe is the presence of Liza Gatrell and her experience of surrogacy.’

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