Cohabitation campaigner joins London law firm

Westminster-based law firm Williams Sturges has announced the appointment of Graeme Fraser as their new Head of Family. Graeme is known for his work across the family law community, in particular he is an advocate for cohabitation law reform in England and Wales and is regular commentator on media platforms including BBC, SKY, FT, and Times.

As chair of Resolution’s Cohabitation Committee, he is an influential voice for change over the course of his 25 year career to date, is regarded as positively impacting his peers and improving outcomes for separating families.

“Since the outset of my career, William Sturges is a law firm I hold in high regard and admiration. Their values and ethos are centred on combining traditional principles with a visionary approach to best serve their clients. What sets them apart is their collaborative spirit across all their practice areas. This culture creates an environment where we can effectively work together to provide timely and tailored advice for our clients.”

says Fraser on his appointment. James Hannon, Senior Partner and Head of Litigation at William Sturges adds

“Graeme’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for our firm. With a team of dedicated partners, employees, and recent hires, including Rio Leman (Paralegal) in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team, Don Macfarlane (Partner) in the Commercial Team and Practice Manager Robert Talbot, we’re enhancing our capabilities and business practices to give our clients even more expertise and efficiency. We pride ourselves in our relationships with our clients and their teams. We listen, we advise and we act so we can deliver their desired outcomes.”

Fraser recently joined the Today’s Family Lawyer podcast to discuss his work and the case for cohabitation law reform, explaining the lack of legislation in this important, and growing area of family law, will continue to hamstring the profession. He cites statistics indicating 1 in 3 first time buyers are cohabitees, and with accommodation, whether rental or purchase, increasingly unaffordable, the issue, he says, is only going to be become more prevalent.

Listen in to the discussion below in which Graeme outlines the need to address key issues including greater property rights, financial provision for children and arrangements for children; and the public misnomer that you have acquired rights by living together, when you simply haven’t.

Fraser joins Rosie Hannon and recently appointed Gemma Barnhurst in the family team, who advise on matters including financial remedies involving complex assets and substantial wealth; divorce; children’s issues; marital agreements; cohabitation; intervenors; insolvency-related settlements; European Family law; relationship breakdowns; and multi-ethnic law.