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.

Individual Profiles

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 Email:gardnerchampion@tiscali.co.uk

Joanne Clowes Jo is a specialist family lawyer and has practiced in all aspects of family law for 15 years. She was born in the Staffordshire Moorlands and is currently based in Leek. Jo is a Resolution Accredited Specialist and has been a member of Resolution since 1994. Whilst busy with her two young children, Jo enjoys the countryside, cooking and practising holistic therapies. Tel: 01538 370830 (direct) Email:jc@bowcockpursaill.co.uk WWW:www.bowcockpursaill.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 Email:Fiona.craig@beswicks.com WWW:www.beswicks.com

Ann Hume Ann is a solicitor specialising in family law. She has been practising exclusively in this area for the last 13 years and has a wealth of experience in divorce and separation. Ann is also a member of the Law Society Children Panel and has a particular expertise in the area of surrogacy. When not at work Ann enjoys spending time with her large extended family as well as gardening, travelling and eating good food. Tel: 01827 317070 Email:ahume@pickerings-solicitors.com WWW:www.pickerings-solicitors.com

Helen Jackson Helen was born in the Potteries and has also worked in North Staffordshire and Stafford for 16 years, specialising exclusively in Family and Matrimonial Law for most of that time. Helen’s speciality is Private Family Law, including Divorce, Separation, Financial and Property issues arising from Separation, including maintenance and pensions and Children’s issues such as Residence and Contact (formerly Custody and Access). Helen has been a member of Resolution for many years. Tel: 01785 213234 Email:helen.jackson@1st-solicitors.co.uk WWW:www.1st-solicitors.co.uk

Steve Kirwan Steve is Managing Director of Nowell Meller Solicitors Ltd, with offices in Stafford and Burslem, Stoke on Trent. He is a specialist family solicitor with over 20 years’ experience of family work. He is a Resolution Specialist in Pensions and Cohabitation work, Secretary of Staffordshire Resolution and an active member of Resolution’s Regional Liaison Committee. When not playing as a solicitor, Steve is an avid reader and also enjoys films and the occasional foreign holiday. Tel: 01785 273141 Email:steve@nowellmeller.co.uk WWW:www.nowellmeller.co.uk

Cath Longshaw Cath has been practising family law for approximately 10 years, dealing with all issues arising from the breakdown of relationships. She is an Associate Solicitor at Knights LLP in Newcastle-under-Lyme and is a member of Resolution. She is experienced in all areas associated with family breakdown. As a Mother of two teenagers she has a busy home life but when she has time enjoys reading, swimming and travel. Tel: 01782 619225 Email:catherine.longshaw@knightsllp.co.uk WWW:www.knightsllp.co.uk