The cross-office family law practice at Birketts LLP is 'kind, professional and supportive'. In Ipswich. practice head Katie Beaven, and legal directors Juliet Harvey, who is a former national chair of Resolution, and the 'straight-talking' Ivana Radovic are the standout lawyers. In Cambridge, legal director Rachel Frost-Smith frequently advises high-net-worth individuals with offshore assets, and partner Sarah Overy (who has 'bags of energy, creativity, intelligence and empathy') has a strong international and local practice in both high-net-worth financial settlements and complex Children Act applications. The Norwich team is built around up-and-coming partner Denise Findlay, legal director Deborah Lloyd, and senior associate Lisa Cornish.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'I have been dealing with Ivana Radovic for a number of years and I have valued her honest opinion, straight-talking, quick responses and talking in an easy to understand manner. Ivana has been supportive with both family and financial matters, quick to respond and really cares about providing the best outcome.’
‘The standout individual without doubt is Katie Beaven, partner in the family team. She holds a depth of legal knowledge which never ran out, in spite of my case requiring tax, international, pension and property expertise. However to my eyes her greatest skill is in negotiating a realistic and successful outcome, being kind but firm when required. This requires an understanding of human psychology as well as law and procedure. In a process where the biggest risk may have been aggression she steered a course of progressive diplomacy, much appreciated by this client.’
‘Sarah Overy has bags of energy, creativity, intelligence and most importantly empathy. I was going through a divorce (thankfully now all over) and sadly as many of us in that club know life can be chaotic. Sarah was always there. Sarah introduced me to other colleagues in the firm who were also skilled in their particular fields.’
‘A team of sensible, solution-focused, cost-effective, family lawyers.’
‘Katie Beaven is a fantastic family lawyer who I have recommended to friends & family when needed. She aims to reach good settlements for her clients but, where this is not possible due to an unreasonable opponent, she pulls no punches.’
'Juliet Harvey - dedicated and hardworking for each client with clear and sensible advice.'
‘Sarah Overy is very experienced. She is particularly good with matrimonial finance cases that included complex businesses and trusts issues. She can also easily turn her hand to complex private law children cases and is adept at dealing with parental alienation and cross-border disputes.’
‘Juliet Harvey - down to earth, excellent knowledge, brilliant case management Vanda James - highly knowledgeable, very focused and driven’
Lawyers
Leading associates
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Katie Beaven