About JMW Solicitors
JMW Solicitors is a top-100 full-service law firm headquartered in Manchester, with further offices in London and Liverpool. Founded in 1978, the firm has grown to more than 800 partners and staff. The family department, led by Elspeth Kinder, Michael Chapman and Beverley Jones, is one of the largest and most highly regarded in the North West, consistently ranked in the top tier by both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. The team specialises in high-value financial remedy cases for entrepreneurs, athletes and other high net worth clients — with particular expertise in cases involving complex business structures, offshore assets and trusts, Schedule 1 claims, and cases featuring an international dimension. The firm is also noted for its expertise in complex private children work and surrogacy matters.
Areas of expertise
Awards & recognition
Our team
Meet the family law specialists at JMW Solicitors.
Elspeth Kinder
Partner
Elspeth Kinder is exceptional - it is impossible to fault her. Joint head of Manchester family team.
View profile →Michael Chapman
Joint Head of Family Law
Michael Chapman is a superb tactician. Clients quickly warm to him and trust his instincts.
View profile →Beverley Jones
Partner
Beverley Jones heads the Liverpool family team. She is a fighter who will strive to get the best results.
View profile →Tracey Rodford
Partner
Tracey Rodford has incredible client care and is an extremely tough negotiator. Has represented sports personalities, celebrities and international businessmen.
View profile →Philip Cooper
Partner
Philip Cooper is one of the sharpest legal minds. Extensive experience in nuptial agreements, family companies, offshore funds, trusts and property issues.
View profile →David Pickering
Partner
David Pickering is the premium lawyer in his field in Manchester. Stalwart with enviable experience handling financial remedy for HNW clients.
View profile →Ruth Kearns
Partner
Ruth Kearns has almost 20 years experience in family law. Both highly experienced with an enviable reputation as a market leader.
View profile →Ruben Sinha
Partner
Ruben Sinha has fantastic strategic oversight. He always balances tricky strategic decisions with pragmatism.
View profile →Katie Lowe
Partner
Katie Lowe is a highly experienced Partner at JMW Solicitors, specialising in complex financial remedies and private law children matters. Katie is known for …
View profile →Pauline McNamara
Consultant Partner
Pauline McNamara specialises in high conflict divorces and negotiations of difficult financial settlements. Particular interest in acting against narcissistic …
View profile →Abigail Bennett
Partner
Abigail Bennett is truly exceptional and a silk in all but name. JMW is one of the few family law firms with in-house counsel.
View profile →Michael Rowlands
Head of Family Law (London)
Michael Rowlands is a Partner at JMW Solicitors in London and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, advising high-net-worth and …
View profile →Associate
As an Associate at JMW Solicitors, Alice Daniel assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse injunctions and cohabitation …
View profile →Associate
As an Associate at JMW Solicitors, Charlotte Tyrer assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse injunctions and …
View profile →Partner
Holly Clare Tootill is a highly experienced Partner at JMW Solicitors, specialising in complex financial remedies and private law children matters. Holly is …
View profile →Partner
Jenny Clare Arnold is a highly experienced Partner at JMW Solicitors, specialising in complex financial remedies and private law children matters. Jenny is …
View profile →Partner
Katie Louise Howard is a highly experienced Partner at JMW Solicitors, specialising in complex financial remedies and private law children matters. Katie is …
View profile →Associate
As an Associate at JMW Solicitors, Pamela Dick assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse injunctions and cohabitation …
View profile →Associate
As an Associate at JMW Solicitors, Zoe Worthington assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse injunctions and …
View profile →Mark Gilmartin
Partner
Mark Gilmartin is a partner in JMW’s London family law team, joining in November 2022. Called to the Bar in 2008 and cross-qualified as a solicitor in …
View profile →Sally Stanway
Associate Solicitor
Sally Stanway is a partner in JMW’s Liverpool family team, having joined as a senior associate in June 2020. Qualifying in 2010, she specialises in …
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