Weightmans LLP

Carole Atkinson

Carole is a partner in the Private Client team at Weightmans. Recognised in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, she has practised as a family lawyer for over 35 years and was appointed as Deputy District Judge in 2001. Carole has acted for many high profile individuals with significant assets. She has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving onshore and offshore trusts as well as complex corporate and tax issues in cases where the assets are worth many millions. She has considerable experience in drafting prenuptial agreements particularly those involving cross border issues. She is recognised for her extensive knowledge and experience, her exceptional client care skills and her pragmatic approach to family dispute resolution. Carole is consistently recommended and recognised in Legal Directories: Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leader in her field. She has been described as a family lawyer who "makes the so-called 'magic circle' firms look ordinary." Her clients have included household names as well as fellow professionals. Many of her clients are recommended to her by QCs and other lawyers and professionals. She regularly lectures and writes articles on topical family law issues and has appeared on radio and television to discuss and to advise on family law issues and recent developments. Her approach to family law is a sensitive yet proactive approach to dispute resolution with the aim of achieving a successful outcome for each client in a cost-effective manner. Carole is an active member of Resolution, a trained collaborative lawyer and trained Resolution mentor. Carole is recognised as a "Top Recommended" family lawyer for high-net-worth individuals in The Spear’s Family Law Index 2021.

Rachel Lim

Rachel is a Partner within the family team. She qualified in 2003 and is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Children Cases and Complex (middle/high value) financial remedy cases. Rachel specialises exclusively in family law and embraces the varied work this area of law has to offer. She has a wealth of experience in advising clients on all aspects of relationship breakdown. In particular, Rachel has expertise in the following areas: -Divorce; -Matrimonial finance – complex high value cases involving companies, trusts, pension sharing, overseas assets and inherited wealth; -Children Act applications including Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issue, Prohibited Steps and Removal from the Jurisdiction; -Cohabitees disputes; -Schedule 1 applications; -Variation of maintenance; -Prenuptial/separation agreements; and -Enforcement. Rachel has a particular interest in modern family law issues and recognises that over the last few decades family structures have changed dramatically. Consequently, she welcomes new enquiries from individuals in same sex relationships and those considering surrogacy or co-parenting agreements. Rachel enjoys working closely with clients to help them negotiate the legal and other issues which flow from relationship breakdown. Rachel is known for her empathetic nature and approachable manner which readily sets clients at ease. She is always meticulously prepared and adopts a sensible and pragmatic approach to all of her cases. She gains considerable satisfaction in achieving a good outcome for her clients. Rachel has been singled out as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and has been praised for her "confidence, clarity and professionalism." Rachel is part of the winning team named Family Law Firm of the Year at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards. Rachel has been singled out as a Rising Star by the Legal 500 for 2019 and 2020 and has been praised for her "confidence, clarity and professionalism." Rachel is part of the winning team named Family Law Firm of the Year at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards.

Emma Collins

Family law partner with expertise in all aspects of family law, in particular high value/complex financial matters for both married and unmarried couples including trusts , companies, partnerships , third party interests , offshore assets, jurisdictional issues; regularly receives referrals from a variety of legal and other professionals and business people. Also advises on pre/post nuptial and cohabitation agreements, complex children issues, Schedule I , TOLATA and Inheritance Act matters.

Fiona Davidson

Fiona heads the Liverpool family law team and manages the renowned national family team at Weightmans across our offices. She is recognised by Legal 500 2019 as a Leading Individual in family law in the North West. Fiona specialises in financial and children issues arising out of relationship breakdown with particular expertise in complex divorces involving company, partnership and trust issues. She has a significant practice in pre, post marital and cohabitation agreements, as well as a wealth of experience in dealing with children cases, particularly involving international relocation. Fiona is known for her strategic and focused advice in delivering results for clients. Her understanding of the needs of clients enables her to offer a first-rate and bespoke service to her clients resulting in regular referrals from fellow professionals including barristers and other members of the legal profession. Fiona is keen to offer alternatives to litigation with a child centred and amicable approach to separation. She is a trained collaborative lawyer, she chaired the Merseyside collaborative law group for over six years. She is an active member of Resolution and sits on the Merseyside Regional Committee for Resolution. She also sits on the Liverpool Law Society Family Committee helping to shape local family law issues. Fiona is recognised as a leader in her field in both independent legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, being described as ‘technically excellent; really approachable and able to build a real rapport with clients, who trust her implicitly’. Fiona is a Resolution accredited specialist specialising in complex financial and property matters specifically with high income households with substantial assets as well as medium to low income households. The only solicitor in Liverpool having the qualification in high income households and substantial assets.