Who are we?

Who are Staffordshire Collaborative Lawyers?

We are a group of like-minded, specialist, family lawyers with many years experience advising clients on separation, divorce, children and financial matters and their implications. Having seen the emotional and financial costs associated with “traditional” legal practice, we have come to believe that for many of our clients there is a better way. For us, the separation of two individuals and the resolution of the matters that arise as a result is a problem to be solved, not a battle to be fought.

Although we each work in or for our own law firms, we have all received special training in the collaborative approach and now come together not only in our day-to-day work for our own clients, but also for the purposes of increasing awareness of collaborative law within the county, marketing our services, training and sharing best practice.

We are all members of the Collaborative Family Law Group of Resolution, the specialist association of family lawyers, and our collaborative work builds on the long-established Resolution approach that family disputes should be dealt with in a constructive way designed to preserve people’s dignity and to encourage agreements.

Lawyers

	Peter Ashley Peter is a local practising solicitor who has specialised in family law for over 20 years. In 2000 he trained as a family mediator and is a member of the UK College of Mediators and practices regularly as a mediator. He is a member of Resolution and The Law Society. Tel: 01889 582116
	Anthony Beeston Anthony is a director and founding partner of Beeston Shenton Solicitors working in their Newcastle under Lyme and Sandbach offices. He has over 10 years specialist experience of family law matters and now principally acts for clients in resolving financial issues arising from divorce and separation. Anthony has been a qualified collaborative lawyer since 2008. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys the great outdoors and is an active supporter of Stoke City Football Club. Tel. 01782 662424 Web: www.beestonshenton.co.uk
	Martin Canning Tel: 01827 314004 Web: www.garnercanning.co.uk
	Joanne Clowes Jo is a Family Solicitor practising at Uprights Solicitors Limited in Leek. She has specialised in Family Law since beginning her career in 1991. As well as being a Collaborative Lawyer, Jo is a Resolution Accredited Specialist and is keen to help separating couples resolve their differences as amicably and cost effectively as possible. Jo has 2 young children and to relax she enjoys the countryside cooking and travelling. Tel: 01538 388809 or 07813 947131 (mobile) Website: www.uprights-solicitors.co.uk
	Fiona Craig Fiona Craig is a partner with Beswicks Solicitors in Stoke on Trent. She practises exclusively in family law, with a particular interest in financial matters and pensions, and is a Resolution accredited specialist. With a grown-up family, Fiona enjoys having more time to devote to her own interests of gardening, music and tennis Tel: 01782 205000 Website: www.beswicks.com
	Catherine Edmondson Tel: 01782 328171 Web: www.jllaw.co.uk
	Helen Jackson Helen is a Director of 1^st Solicitors in Stafford and has practiced exclusively in family law for more than 20 years. Helen deals with all aspects of family breakdown including divorce and financial consequences of separation and children’s issues. Helen qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer in 2006 and is one of the founder members of Staffordshire Collaborative Lawyers. As a member of Resolution for many years, Helen is committed to a constructive and none-adversarial approach to family matters wherever possible. Helen is also a practising Family Mediator, a member of the Family Mediators Association and the alternative Dispute Resolution Sub-Committee of the Local Family Justice Council. She lives in Staffordshire with her young family and is also a Governor of a successful primary school. In her little spare time Helen reads a wide variety of fiction from Michael Morpurgo, to Philipa Gregory and also enjoys films, food and having fun with family and friends Tel: 01785 213234 Website: www.1st-solicitors.co.uk
	Sarah Johnson Sarah is a family solicitor and associate director with Beeston Shenton Solicitors in Newcastle under Lyme.She has over 15 years' experience specialising in all areas including divorce, finance and children. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys going to the gym, eating out at nice restaurants, socialising with friends and travel. Tel: 01782 662424 Web: www.beestonshenton.co.uk
	Steve Kirwan Steve is Managing Director of Nowell Meller Solicitors Ltd, with offices in Stafford and Burslem. He is a specialist family solicitor with over 20 years’ experience of a wide range of family work and qualified as a collaborative family lawyer in 2006. He is a Resolution Specialist in Pensions, Cohabitation and Domestic Abuse. As well as being Chair of Staffordshire Resolution, he is an active member of Resolution’s National Committee and their National Treasurer. Steve also chairs Resolution's Cohabitation Committee and is their lead spokesperson on cohabitation law reform. He is a contributor to The Family Law Protocol (The Law Society) and co-author of Resolution's Guide to TOLATA and Related Claims (forthcoming). In his spare time, Steve is an avid reader and also enjoys films and the occasional foreign holiday. Tel: 01785 273141 Fax: 01785 273122 Website: www.nowellmeller.co.uk
	Cath Longshaw Cath is a Partner at Knights Solicitors LLP who have offices in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Alderley Edge and Cheltenham. She is an experienced family lawyer, specialising in all areas of family disputes, including divorce, the breakdown of civil partnerships and associated finances. This includes issues arising following a breakdown in a relationship where a couple have been cohabiting. She is also experienced in dealing with issues relating to children. Having trained as a collaborative lawyer in 2006, Cath has had the opportunity to resolve matters for many couples using the collaborative process. Tel: 01782 619225 Fax: 01782 717821 Website: www.knightsllp.co.uk
	Marie Proud Marie is a Partner at Tinsdills Solicitors with offices based at Hanley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Leek and Sandbach. She practises in all areas of family law including divorce, separation, finances, children issues and martial agreements. Outside work, Marie enjoys spending time with family and friends, visiting the cinema/ theatre and travelling. Tel: 01782 262031 Web: www.tinsdills.co.uk
	Geoff Reynolds Tel: 01782 289122 Web: www.lichfield-reynolds.co.uk
	Isobel Rose Isobel is a partner at Lichfield Reynolds based in Longton. She has always specialised in family law since qualifying over 20 years ago and has experience of a wide range of divorce/ property and children work. She is a member of the Law Society's Children Panel. Outside work, Isobel's interests include theatre, property renovation and spending time with family and friends. Tel: 01782 289122 Website: www.lichfield-reynolds.co.uk
	Marian Seabridge Tel: 01785 602030 Web: www.jewelssolicitors.co.uk
	Barbara White Barbara is a Fellow of The Institute of Legal Executives with Knights llp of Newcastle-under-Lyme and has practised in all aspects of family law in North Staffordshire for over 35 years. She has a wealth of experience and skill in financial, property and children issues and has experience of dealing with high net worth clients. She has a particular interest in rights of cohabitees, including their interests in property and Pre-nuptial Agreements. She is a member of Resolution and is committed to resolving disputes in a non-contentious and cost effective manner wherever possible. Barbara has a grown-up family. To relax, she enjoys golf and yoga. Tel: 01782 619225 Website: www.knightsllp.co.uk
Consultants
	Paul Gorman Paul is an affiliate member of Resolution and has been accredited by them as a Pension and Divorce specialist. He also holds a Certified Financial Planner licence putting him amongst a select number of Independent Financial Advisers who hold both. Paul is Managing Director of IFS (Professional Connections), a Staffordshire-based firm of financial planners. He has worked with like-minded professionals for over 10 years and has amassed 25 years experience within financial services. Paul's work is heavily focused in the area of family law financial planning. Tel: 01902 863494 Fax: 01902 863457 Website: www.ifsproconnect.co.uk www.twitter.com/paulgormancfp www.linkedin.com/in/paulgormancfp
	Ian Hawkins Ian is Senior Director of EFG Independent Financial Advisers with offices in Wolverhampton, Birmingham & London. Ian has been providing financial advice for over 20 years and within divorce proceedings for the past 10 years. Ian is a member of Resolution and is a Collaboratively Trained adviser who can assist in all areas, primarily Pensions, Investments & Savings. Te: 01902 710402 Web: www.efg-ifa.com
	Richard Jacobs Richard has been providing expert witness on pension and related matters for divorcing couples for over 20 years. He is a Resolution Accredited IFA Divorce Specialist, trained to provide assistance as a financial neutral in the Collaborative Process of divorce. He is regularly called upon to provide an expert opinion, write articles and lecture on the subject of pension and divorce. Tel: 01782 557800 Fax: 01782 557807 Website: www.jacobs-pensions.co.uk