THE SPEAR’S 500 Legal


Zoë Bloom Keystone Law


FOCUS Complex financial negotiations


Ros Bever Irwin Mitchell


FOCUSMatrimonial law


ros.bever@irwinmitchell.com +44 (0)161 838 3119 irwinmitchell.com


Ever since the landmark Supreme Court decision of Sharland and Gohil, the 2015 case which saw wives winning against dishonest husbands, enquiries have ‘streamed in’ for Ros Bever, ‘many from clients of rival law firms seeking second opinions’. ‘I am committed to achieving justice for my clients and I am a fighter when I need to be,’ she says. The head of Irwin Mitchell’s national family department is one for creative solutions. She believes the efficiency of arbitration can sometimes trump the fees, adding that clients have the advantage of choosing from a healthy crop of experienced FDR judges who can ‘align objective with reality’.


Adviser profile Ros Bever is Director of Legal Services-Family, which has flourished as one of the largest and best regarded family teams in the country under Ros’ leadership. Ros has a serious reputation in the family law sector for her ground-breaking cases, including two Supreme Court matters, Sharland and Gohil, as well as A v A. Ros works with the highest tier of clients including HNWs, UHNWs and celebrities. Her particular specialism is in


complex, high-value cases, often involving trust assets and international issues. She enjoys pre and post-nuptial agreement work and Schedule I cases. Ros attracts work nationally and internationally, litigates against Magic Circle firms and is perceived to be a go-to lawyer outside of London.


Claire Blakemore Withers


FOCUSMatrimonial law withersworldwide.com


Highly-regarded Withers partner Claire Blakemore has taken a key role in the creation of the firm’s new ‘separation model’, Uncouple. ‘In recognition of the need for new ways of resolving disputes, I created a new method by which couples can reach resolutions in a non-positional way,’ she tells Spear’s. Uncouple was officially approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2020. Blakemore regularly acts for members of UHNW families in highly sensitive cases, involving divorce claims, property law and trust disputes. In one such recent case she was able to successfully defend additional financial claims, as well as obtaining children orders which allowed the client to resume contact with their offspring.


Adviser profile Claire gets to the heart of situations fast, giving reliable indications of best outcomes, and works out a plan from the outset to get clients to their desired outcome. In recognition of the need for new


ways of resolving disputes Claire created an innovative method by which couples can reach resolutions in a non-positional way. Uncouple provides a means of reaching resolutions without going to Court – a first for family law. Whilst being highly experienced in


difficult litigation she has a thriving practice as a mediator and collaborative lawyer. Whether working with domestic or international clients, she deals with complex financial claims, children issues, pre/post-nuptial agreements and cases involving trusts.


Nominated for the Family Lawyer of the Year award at 2018’s Spear’s Wealth Management Awards, Bloom employs an energetic approach to her practice. Described as part of the ‘new school’ of family lawyers, her focus is on outcome rather than process. Her caseload comprises some of the most complex issues that separating families face, and she is not afraid to take on clients who are already in the middle of proceedings, driving them through to settlement. ‘I am often instructed by clients who are fed up with their cases drifting along aimlessly with no strategy,’ she says. ‘We call it “gentleman’s drift”, and I see it far too often – particularly from clients who have previously instructed some of the more traditional practices.’


Emily Brand Boodle Hatfield


FOCUS Complex finances


ebrand@boodlehatfield.com +44 (0)20 7629 7411 boodlehatfield.com


Charlotte Bradley Kingsley Napley


FOCUS International finance, children


Emily Brand has more than 25 years’ experience in family law. She focuses on high-level financial work where assets are often ‘in the region of hundreds of millions’ and include complex international businesses, private equity and trust structures. Brand is also adept at handling challenging children disputes (with special expertise in relation to children with autism). She is highly attuned to the need for complete discretion and negotiations taking place ‘behind closed doors’. This comes as no surprise as high-profile figures, including members of international royalty, count as clients. Brand joined Boodle Hatfield


in 2017, where ‘she has seamlessly established herself within the firm’.


Charlotte Bradley heads up the family and divorce team at Kingsley Napley. She is known for her diverse practice which spans complex finances, jurisdiction battles, financial provision for unmarried couples and surrogacy. Bradley is an expert in Schedule 1 cases and has published three editions of a book she has co-authored on the subject. She is also editor of the 2017, 2019 and 2021 editions of International Comparative Legal Guide to Family Law, and has represented the views of legal professionals as part of the Family Solutions Group. The group was set up by Mr Justice Cobb with a remit to consider the needs of separating families before they turn to court and focusing on the voice of the child.


Adviser profile Emily is a Partner in Boodle Hatfield’s Family team. She specialises in all areas of family law and is known for her creative and discreet approach acting in high-profile cases often involving extensive wealth or complex issues concerning children including international relocation. Emily frequently advises on cases


involving high-value family businesses or private equity and has worked on a number of ground- breaking cases. She also has particular expertise and interest in advising on disputes concerning children on the autism spectrum. Emily delivers results for her clients, always focusing on their specific needs and concerns and is well respected for her compassion for her clients’ circumstances.


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