Sophia Mellor qualified in 2007 and initially practised as a criminal solicitor. She later moved to practise in family law, holding a mixed caseload of private and public family law matters for several years. Sophia now specialises in financial remedy matters following divorce and in private law children work. She is the head of the Family department and was appointed as a partner in 2023. Sophia is a member of Resolution and of the Association of Lawyers for Children. She is an accredited member of the Law Society Family Law scheme and is also a Resolution-trained collaborative lawyer.
What was your career path to your current role?
I completed a degree in European Business Management and Law in Cardiff. I then studied for my Masters in Law at Coventry University and following this I completed my GDL and LPC at the College of Law in Birmingham. I secured a training contract in criminal law. In the latter stages of my training, I was introduced to childcare and family law and never looked back. I have practised in all areas of family law through the years and was made head of department fairly early in my career. I am now heading a team of lawyers who specialise in private family law and financial remedy law following divorce.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
I always dreamt of a career as a writer. This is probably why I love drafting lengthier documents, such as witness statements, as they each tell a story.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
Seeing the transformation in my clients. From meeting a defeated and broken person to then seeing them a year later – confident, happy and looking so much younger and healthier than when they thought there was no light at the end of the tunnel – is an unbelievable feeling. A family lawyer can make a huge positive difference in their client’s life and also the lives of their children. This is what keeps me going.
What has been the best development in family law in the last 20 years?
Collaborative Law being practised more widely now. I love the idea of sitting around a table and sorting things out quickly, amicably and efficiently, allowing our clients to leave this process with confidence and dignity. Collaborative law is something that we proudly offer to our clients.
I also think that the change in the way hearings are conducted when an alleged perpetrator is not allowed to question the alleged victim was a good development, providing a much-needed solution to ensure a fair trial and the administration of justice.
And the worst?
Legal aid changes. I believe legal aid should be more readily available to vulnerable people within our society. It can be difficult to evidence domestic abuse and so I believe that many vulnerable clients remain without access to legal representation when they really should.
If you could bring in one new piece of legislation for the sector, what would it be and why?
Legislation for cohabitees to ensure the cohabitees who stay at home to raise children are not being left at a financial disadvantage following separation. Ultimately, the lack of such legislation places children and some parents at a significant financial detriment.
Also, I believe that there should be legislation to govern pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements, so that there is more certainty in this area. These could be extremely useful legal instruments if set against the right legislation.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
The best advice I had was from my father: to follow my heart. This is what took me where I am today. Practising family law enables me to stand up and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Helping someone get where they want to be makes me happy.
What advice would you like to give to someone just starting out?
Believe in yourself. If you are passionate about law, there is no reason why you cannot succeed – our profession is a passion, not a job. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t!
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
I was raised in the French Alps and enjoyed skiing and other winter sports when I was growing up. I also enjoyed paragliding – a superb experience!
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