The ‘motherhood penalty’ and the legal profession
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast turns its attention to one of the profession’s most persistent, and least openly discussed, challenges: the impact of maternity leave on women’s careers in law. While the legal sector is not alone in perpetuating the motherhood penalty, the measurable career disadvantage experienced by women after having children, the podcast […]
Book review: Children’s Rights to Identity, Selfhood and International Family Law
The Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes two expert guests on to discuss a new book focused on children’s right to identity within international family law, using Article 8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as a foundational framework. Children’s Rights to Identity, Selfhood and International Family Law is edited […]
‘Consultancy model enabled G&G Law to hit the ground running’
In this latest Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, founders Natasha Grande and Neil Graham explain how newly launched G&G Law came about and what their motivations were behind leaving their secure and successful positions, and striking out on their own. With decades of experience between them, Graham specialises in prenuptial agreements to complex financial settlements at […]
The science behind family law
Charlotte Haskayne, Business Manager at Northgene, joins the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast to lift the lid on the realities of legal DNA testing and its growing role in modern family law. Where is DNA evidence crucial? What role does it play in the courts? Haskayne discusses her experience with court‑ordered paternity disputes to the rapidly […]
Understanding client behaviours to deliver a better service
The legal profession lacks formal training on managing vicarious trauma, emotional overwhelm, and the human dynamics underpinning family breakdown, leading to family professionals’ own mental health and wellbeing coming under pressure through their work. With 20 years’ experience as a trauma specialist psychotherapist and a trained cognitive behavioural therapist, not to mention a family mediator, […]
Understanding complaints and early resolution opportunities
The latest episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast welcomes Senior Ombudsman at the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) Clair Daniel to explore the current landscape of legal complaints handling, the challenges facing firms, and the strategic work underway to improve first‑tier resolution across the legal sector. The backdrop to the discussion is the increase in the […]
Frank Arndt on fixing the family law bottleneck
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast features Frank Arndt, founder of Paradigm Family Law and co‑founder of Whatwouldajudgesay. Arndt is well known in the sector. A former German judge. A specialist in international family law. A familiar face on the BBC’s red sofa. And a vocal commentator on LinkedIn. His new venture aims to tackle […]
Marketing, messaging and the UK/US Divide
The latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast shines a spotlight on a challenge many firms acknowledge and struggle to tackle; the differentiation of service provision and effectively marketing those points of difference to prospective clients with clarity, confidence and distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Hosted by David Opie, the episode explores why so many family […]
Family Mediation Week 2026: 26th-30th January
Family Mediation Week 2026 was launched at the office of Family Law in Partnership in London yesterday (Wednesday), ahead of a week packed with on and offline events and learning opportunities for family lawyers, other professionals and the wider general public. The event, hosted by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), outlined the ambitions for the […]
Staying sane in family law; a year of Today’s Family Lawyer Podcasts
The Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast was launched in 2022 with the aim of introducing listeners to the organisations and individuals who contribute to the success of the family law sector. Over the previous four series, and 64 episodes the podcast has covered topics from cohabitation, pensions, no fault divorce, and the rise of private FDRs […]
Christmas is a testing time of year…
Christmas can be a tough time of year to stay sober; especially for those who struggle with addiction issues. In this latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast two experts provide their views on how specialist services can support family law professionals, and by extension their clients, in their efforts to stay sober over the festive period. […]
How working with universities is helping firms attract the partners of tomorrow
Recruitment and retention; almost always one of the top three items on the agenda at every partners meeting. Collaboration between education and industry could help professionals bridge the gap and identify new recruits at an earlier stage in their development. So say Jonathan Whettingsteel Partner and Head of Family Law at Dutton Gregory, and Brad […]
The changing role of co-parents post-pandemic
The Today’s Family Lawyer podcast explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on co-parenting through the eyes of family law professionals; with Sophie Lougher, Director and Senior Solicitor, and Kathryn Fanstone a Solicitor at Zeus Family Law sharing their insight and experiences. The Cardiff-based boutique firm was founded during the pandemic, driven by Sophie’s own […]
A vision for family justice
The Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes Co-founder and Head of Innovation at Family Law Partners and Founder of Nova Alan Larkin on to discuss his vision for family law. Through his career Larkin has championed access to justice, and the evolution of client experience; and the use of technology to support these objectives – work which has […]
Legal Aid Agency cyber attack; how have firms coped?
The latest episode of Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes on Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors and Vice Chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group to discuss the impact of the Legal Aid Agency cyber attack on her firm, and the wider legal aid community. The Legal Aid Agency revealed as many as 2 […]
How to support clients through ‘trauma-informed’ family law
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Peter Burgess, Founding Partner at Burgess Mee Family Law, and Hannah Budd, Partner at the Rosefield Divorce Consultancy, to explore a new collaboration designed to reshape how family law professionals support clients in crisis. The conversation centres on “Within the […]
Staying sane in family law
The Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast welcomes Annmarie Carvalho, director of The Carvalho Consultancy (TCC), to discuss her work at the intersection of law and therapy and the launch of her new book, ‘Staying Sane in Family Law‘, available now through Bath Publishing. A former family solicitor and mediator with over a decade of experience in a central […]
Pets as property; the growing recognition of pets in separation
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie discusses the increasing number of disputes between separating partners when it comes to pets, and a new working group looking at amending legislation to bring it more in line with the challenges family professionals face on this emotive topic. Barrister Sarah Lucy Cooper, […]
Reflections and reform: Grant Cameron on leading Resolution
This episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast features host David Opie in conversation with Grant Cameron – family lawyer, mediator, collaborative practitioner, and a partner at Trethowans. Grant recently concluded his tenure as Chair of Resolution, having led the organization during a transformative post-COVID period marked by significant legislative and cultural shifts. He reflects on the implementation of no fault divorce […]
The evolving language of family law; and how we can play our part
In this episode of the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Sally Robinson, partner and head of the HCR Law Family Team in Central England. Broadcasting from the Northampton office, Sally brings over two decades of legal experience to a timely discussion on how language in family law is evolving. Sally reflects on the landmark shift introduced by no-fault divorce, calling […]