Family

Kingsley Napley LLP

The ‘high-powered, well-respected’ family team at Kingsley Napley LLP has a ’first-class reputation’, and is ‘often at the cutting edge of new developments’. The team often undertakes international work, with particular experience relating to France and the US. Sital Fontenelle took over as head of the family team in March 2024 from Charlotte Bradley, who now spearheads the team’s mediation offering. Fontenelle offers extensive experience in both financial and children cases, including leave to remove. ’Superstar’ Jane Keir is the go-to in the team for wealth protection both pre- and post-divorce, while Connie Atkinson, ‘a shining light’, is skilled in complex surrogacy cases. Atkinson, Lauren Evans and Stacey Nevin also practice as mediators; Evans regularly handles international issues and Nevin is particularly sought after for matters involving complex trust structures. Abby Buckland‘s practice focuses on high-net-worth financial and children cases. Rachel Freeman departed the team to Burgess Mee in January 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Sital Fontenelle fights really hard for her clients. She has bags of energy and ideas - and never lets go if she thinks she is right.'
‘High-powered, well-respected team with strength in depth. They have seen it all, done it all, and well.’
‘The family team have a first-class reputation as being leading lawyers in matrimonial finance and children work across London. The team is one of the biggest in the city and each lawyer is excellent. They are often at the cutting edge of new developments, both in terms of technology and legal expertise.’
‘Jane Keir is a superstar. She builds confidence in all those around her.'
‘Kingsley Napley has a strong family team, particularly at partner level. There is a breadth to the work they do (complex and international finance work, high conflict children work, abduction, surrogacy, mediation). The individual lawyers are all approachable and easy to get along with. They are one of the top family firms in London, with high quality work and a good reputation.’
‘Connie Atkinson is a shining light in the family law world. As a solicitor, Connie is refreshingly understated and modest about her abilities, phenomenally hard-working and gives clients realistic and empathetic advice. Connie also has a thriving mediation practice and as a mediator, can unlock even the trickiest of cases in mediation.'
'Abby Buckland is tenacious and doesn't pull her punches - she has good judgment and really knows the detail of her cases.'
'Lauren Evans is exceptionally good with clients and has a calm and reassuring manner about her - she really cares about their cases.’

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