Family: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

Debenhams Ottaway

The ‘well disciplined, thoughtful and pragmatic’ team at Debenhams Ottaway in St Albans maintains its strong reputation for handling highly contested divorces involving complex assets, including business interests both domestically and internationally. Practice head Helen Young ‘never fails to deliver spot on advice', assisting clients with pre and post nuptial agreements, and living together agreements. Stacey St Clair stands out due to her ’impressive knowledge’, representing clients in complex disputes. The ‘excellent’ Natalie Lester was promoted to partner in May 2023, and is noted for her strong specialism in modern family law, including surrogacy.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I have worked frequently with Natalie Lester. She is an excellent solicitor. Tenacious but pragmatic. Provides robust and realistic advice and involves counsel at each stage of the litigation process.’
‘Stacey St Clair is excellent! She has an impressive knowledge of the law and also has an empathetic and caring approach to her clients. She will always achieve the best outcomes whilst maintaining a collaborative approach.’
‘Annabel Andreou is very good - she has excellent client care skills and worked very well with me to ensure that there was careful consideration of the litigation strategy throughout the case.’
‘Helen Young can deal with the most emotive and complicated situations but has a calmness and ability to pick her way through to find a solution for the client.'
‘Natalie Lester is a brilliant partner who is caring and knowledgeable in all she does. She is a safe pair of hands.’
‘The team is led by the excellent Helen Young who never fails to deliver spot on advice and practical help. Her approach pervades the whole team who are well disciplined, thoughtful and pragmatic in their approach.’
‘The team has provided sound advice and have always explained the process. I have been most impressed with their professionalism and expertise.'
‘Natalie Lester and her team provide a highly competent and efficient service to clients and are well known in the local area for delivering high quality legal services.’