Zoe heads up Hill and Company’s family and matrimonial law department, advising clients across all aspects of relationship breakdown and family arrangements. Specialising in family law since she began her career almost a decade ago, Zoe qualified as a solicitor in 2024, benefiting from the early hands-on experience she gained working in family law from the age of 18. As a family lawyer, she takes a personal, sensitive approach, recognising that the ‘right’ solution can be different for every family and taking pride in guiding clients through what can be overwhelming, uncertain periods, helping them to regain a sense of control.
What was your career path to your current role?
I always knew I wanted to do something that felt meaningful. After quickly realising that medicine and emergency services were not for me (I’m far too squeamish for the former and not nearly brave enough for the latter), the law felt like a natural fit.
My first role was assisting within a family team, and I was immediately drawn to the human side of the work and knew I wanted to specialise in this area. After completing my LLB undergraduate degree, I joined Hill and Company as a paralegal and continued studying for my postgraduate LPC LLM alongside my work, qualifying as a solicitor in 2024.
Family law places you alongside people at some of the most difficult points in their lives. While the cases can be emotionally demanding, there is a real privilege in helping clients navigate those moments and move forward. Knowing that someone can leave our office in a better place than when they arrived is what I love most about this career.
Did you have any other career ambitions?
Growing up, my ambitions changed on an almost weekly basis. At one time, I was determined to become a baker, the next week I wanted to renovate houses, then design motorbikes and any number of other things in between. Once I decided on law, however, I was pretty set. From that point, I focused entirely on building a career in the profession, something I’ve now been working towards for well over a decade and thankfully haven’t wavered since!
What keeps you motivated in your work?
Quite simply, our clients.
One moment that has stayed with me came years after a case had concluded, when a former client contacted me through social media to share an update about her and her children. She told me she had never forgotten the support I gave her during a particularly difficult day in court early in my career.
The irony is that my role that day had very little to do with the law; a colleague who was the solicitor with conduct of the case was there to conduct all the necessary legal arguments, my role was to keep the client calm. We ended up sitting together choosing paint colours for her kitchen renovation as a distraction! Hearing from her years later and knowing that small moment had stayed with her was incredibly meaningful. It is a reminder that what we do can have a lasting impact far beyond the legal process itself.
What has been the best development in family law in the last 20 years?
Without question for me, the introduction of no-fault divorce under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.
For many years, it felt counterproductive that the legal process required couples to begin by assigning blame for the breakdown of their marriage. Even where separating couples maintained respect for one another, the structure of the law often pushed matters into an unnecessarily adversarial space and started negotiations from a ‘sour’ place.
The shift away from fault has allowed practitioners and clients to focus on what truly matters, resolving arrangements for the future in a constructive and dignified way.
And the worst?
For me, the restrictions to legal aid following LASPO and the resulting reduction in access to early legal advice.
Over the years, I have seen many individuals navigate separation without legal guidance simply because it was unaffordable. Often, they return years later when complications arise that could have been avoided with proper advice at the time.
I strongly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to obtain at least initial legal guidance at the point of separation, as early advice can prevent far greater difficulty ‘undoing’ problems later down the line.
If you could bring in one new piece of legislation for the sector, what would it be and why?
Cohabitation reform is the area that, in my view, most urgently needs attention.
I would like to see an improvement in raising awareness on the topic and making sure individuals understand the legal realities of cohabiting relationships. Many people still believe in the concept of a “common law spouse,” which is a real bugbear of mine, and often, clients who sit in front of me are surprised by how tenuous their position truly is.
With cohabitation being the fastest growing family type in the UK, it is really important that people understand their position so they can make informed decisions about their relationships and financial arrangements.
What piece of legislation would you take off the statute books and why?
Whilst I wouldn’t necessarily take legislation ‘off’ the books, I would look to reform the way the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (‘TOLATA’) claims operate in practice.
TOLATA claims are often highly nuanced and can be costly and complex to pursue. This, combined with the civil litigation cost principles, can create a hesitancy and a barrier to justice. Those seeking to establish a beneficial interest in property often, by nature, do not have the resources required to litigate the issue fully.
A more accessible framework would make a meaningful difference.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
Someone once said to me: “Why do you feel you’re behind where you think you should be when you’re often the youngest person in the room?”
It wasn’t necessarily advice, but it absolutely changed how I viewed my career. Experience inevitably takes time and being the youngest in the room is an immense privilege. Simply having a seat at the table with legal minds far more experienced is something to value and a reminder that you are progressing.
What’s the best piece of advice you’d like to give to someone just starting out?
Work hard, take every opportunity that comes your way, and if none are immediately offered, be proactive in seeking them out.
The legal profession can sometimes appear difficult to break into, particularly without existing connections. In reality, many people in the field are remarkably generous with their time if you are willing to approach them. Introducing yourself, asking thoughtful questions, and offering your help can open more doors than you might expect. Even when a conversation does not lead directly to an opportunity, it often leaves you with valuable insights and advice you might not otherwise have gained.
Tell us something people may be surprised to know about you…
Outside of the office, I’m a keen netball player. It’s a wonderful way to switch off and I’ve met some of my closest friends through the sport.
If you’d like to appear in a future profile, email press@todaysfamilylawyer.co.uk with ‘Profile’ in the subject line.
