Seddons law firm bolster family team with new Partner hire who’s expertise extends to Coercive Control cases

A West End law firm, Seddons, is has welcomed a new Partner to join their family law team. Kate Ryan has joined the firm with two decades of experience in family law – including coercive control cases.

Prior to her new appointment at Seddons, Ryan was a Partner at IBB Law for seven years. Her new role marks what the firm calls a ‘continuing period of strong growth for the family practice at Seddons’, something the company says they are ‘expanding rapidly to meet increasing client demand’.

Neil Russell, Partner and Head of Family at Seddons, said:

“We are so excited about the continued growth of the family team. With Kate’s arrival, we have added three new partners in the last six months, and look forward to adding Kate’s knowledge, experience, and client following to the team.”

Ryan specialises in divorce and financial settlement agreements. She has experience across the spectrum of family law matters and advises clients on issues including protecting wealth and prenuptial agreements along with arrangements for their children including those cases with cross jurisdictional elements. The new partner also has experience of trust of land act claims relating to cohabiting parties.

Ryan works with clients on matters involving coercive control – where her clients are in controlling and abusive relationships. Her work in this area resulted in her being nominated as Family Law Partner of the year by Lexis Nexis in 2020.

Ryan said of her new role as Partner at Seddons:

“Seddons’ signature openness and energy was apparent to me from the get-go. Not only is everyone so welcoming, but there’s a firmwide desire to prioritise and grow the family following and firm holistically as a business. This is something I am excited and proud to be a part of, especially during a period of such transformation for the firm.”

Kate also trained and qualified as a mediator in 2013 and is a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500.

Simon Ross, Managing Partner at Seddons, said:

“It is a pleasure to have Kate join Seddons. I am confident her expertise will be invaluable to the Family team and that she will benefit our clients with her broad yet honed skills and experience. She will be a vital part of the team as we continue to grow our Family practice.”