SPOTLIGHT ON.....Fiona Wilson
Introducing....Fiona Wilson, Solicitor
Head of Family Law Team Lawson West Solicitors
Fiona....When did you qualify as a Solicitor?
I studied for my Law degree LL.B (Hons) and then went straight to my Legal Practice Course (I now know that I had my colleague Alistair as a class mate – it is a small world). Following that I did my training contact in Northamptonshire and qualified as a Solicitor in September 1996. I began to practice in various litigation areas, before deciding that Family Law was my passion. I have worked in both the Warwickshire and Leicestershire area and have built up strong local connections.
When did you begin to specialise in Family Law?
I have practiced family law since I qualified as a solicitor in 1996. I became specialist in 1998 – 25 years of family law.
What do you enjoy about Family Law?
Where do I begin?!
I enjoy acting for all types of clients, husbands, wives, mums, dads, partners and co-habitants. I enjoy taking the time to get to know clients and really understanding what they want and how they want to achieve it. Advising clients and assisting them to get the best possible result for them. I understand the privilege in being instructed by clients who, in effect welcome me into their life at what, undoubtedly is a distressing and worrying time.
Most of all, I enjoy the conclusion of a matter when I have a happy client who is able to continue their life in the knowledge that they have achieved the best outcome.
What is your greatest success?
All cases where I have a happy client. (Fortunately, this is most clients I have acted for over the last 25 years!).
I make sure that I have a good relationship with clients, keep in touch with them and provide an update when necessary. Managing my clients’ expectations is a must, I can do this by building-up a relationship with my client and really understanding their instructions. If frank advice is needed then it is given. Similarly, and it does happen, if a client is not seeking enough then I will advise them of that too. I will act in a diligent and cost effective manner.
If you had a magic wand, what would you change about family law?
I am an Accredited Member of Resolution. Accredited specialists are highly competent, the Resolution accreditation is a mark of excellence in practice, recognised by the public, members, the judiciary and the Legal Aid Agency. It demonstrates the outstanding level of skills and expertise of the members who achieve accreditation. Resolution is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way.
If I had a magic wand, then it would be to take the unnecessary confrontation out of parties separation. The confrontation does little or nothing to promote any sort of future for parties, to allow them to work together, particularly if there are children. It also significantly increases the parties costs.
If you would like to meet Fiona, or discuss your family law needs with her, she is available for face-to-face or virtual meetings. Contact Us - select 'divorce and family' for any family matter and complete our enquiry form, there's no obligation and Fiona will call you straight back to see how best we can help you.
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