My Story
Career
I embarked upon my legal career in January 2004 and since then I have worked for reputable law firms across the West Midlands. I have been repeatedly mentioned in the industry guide Legal 500 as a Recommended Lawyer and I have been described as a ‘tough litigator’ and ‘gives realistic advice to her client’s’.
I have always maintained from the very start of my career that I didn’t want to be ‘just’ another family lawyer. I wanted to bring something different both to my client’s and to the legal profession. I work tirelessly constantly evaluating and looking for ways of how I can continue to build on the support which I provide to my clients. This was one of the many reasons why I decided to train as a Collaborative Family Lawyer in June 2019.
However, several years into my career another seed of interest began to grow in me. Having had the privilege of working on cases involving children with Autism and seeing how each family was affected by this condition it became apparent to me that these unique families required and deserved a different level of support and understanding.
Family
However, it was all to become a reality when my own child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder. In that spilt second of receiving my child’s diagnosis I knew I had to make this world a better place for my family because if I couldn’t do this then no one else could.
The years leading up to and the years following my own child’s diagnosis were far from a walk in the park. On many levels our lives were filled with pain watching our child having to struggle daily to understand the myriad of social rules which, for many of us, we instinctively understand. And let us not forget our beautiful children who do not have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the amazing job which they fulfil daily in offering unconditional love and support to their siblings in grave challenging circumstances. Our children really are true warriors.
My Story
Autism
Autism affects each family differently. It is simply not the case that a blanket approach can be taken to these unique cases and Autism is to be seen merely as a ‘factor’ to be considered in a case. For those of us who support a family member on the spectrum we know only too well that Autism runs through us and it isn’t a single factor to be considered - it is our entire world.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complicated condition and it cannot be the case that one approach is applied to all cases where Autism Spectrum Disorder is present. There is a well-known phrase which circulates within our Autistic communities and that is, “When you have met one child with Autism, you have met one child with Autism”. I adopt the very same stance in family separation; no two families are the same and it is therefore crucial that the person handling your case does not become complacent and that due time, care and attention is given to each and every case based on each family’s special and individual circumstances.
For many years now I have harnessed a passion to support clients who are caring for a child(ren) who are on the Autism Spectrum or who themselves have an Autism diagnosis who are about to embark upon their own legal journey through the family courts.
A particular focus of mine is to raise awareness for Autism within the Family Court arena as it is of the utmost importance that our families are both respected and understood for their uniqueness.
