An experienced team of family law specialists…

Ian Kennerley

Described as a “master of his art” by Legal 500, Ian was called to the Bar in 1983 and is a member of the Family Law Bar Association.

Skilled in complex and high value financial matters, Ian regularly appears in the High Court, often against Queens Counsel.

Ian practised at the independent bar in Newcastle for 23 years before joining Dickinson Dees as a partner equivalent in November 2006. In 2010 he was instrumental, with Margaret Simpson, in establishing Silk Family Law.

Not only is Ian regarded as one of the leading advocates in his field, he is able to apply his analytical and forensic skills at the outset of a case rather than being brought in towards its conclusion therefore providing our clients with continuity of advice and representation.

Margaret Simpson

Described by Chambers UK as having “ a stellar reputation”, Margaret is recognised as one of the region’s leading family lawyers, particularly in the area of complex matrimonial finance.

Margaret divides her time between our Newcastle, North Yorkshire and Leeds offices, as well as seeing clients at our consulting rooms in York and London. Her reputation for delivering firm and robust advice to a whole range of business owners including farming families, continues to attract clients from all over the country – with an increasing following in London and the Home Counties.

With more than 25 years’ experience as a family lawyer, Margaret specialises in cases involving significant assets and complex issues. She has a particular interest and expertise in landed estates and farming cases, both of which often involve disputes relating to trust assets, valuation and liquidity.

Collaboratively trained, Margaret offers clients the opportunity to deal with the issues arising following the breakdown of their marriage within the collaborative process, rather than going to court.

Margaret chairs Tees Valley Resolution family law group.

Recent blog posts by Margaret Simpson

• Make the most of your divorce lawyer
• Cohabitation rights: the “common law marriage” myth and its wider family impacts
• The rights of grandparents on relationship breakdown

Kim Fellowes

Described as “superb” by Legal 500, Kim is renowned for her expertise in both financial matters and child law. Kim has more than 20 years’ experience of advising clients on complex financial issues involving trusts, pensions and pre-acquired marital wealth.

Renowned as a leading practitioner in the North East, Kim’s client base spans the UK, with a considerable proportion of her work in London and the Home Counties. Her clients include professional sportspeople, celebrities and MPs.

In addition to her expertise in financial matters, Kim advises the Government on child support legislation and was one of only 20 lawyers on Resolution’s national committee, which she sat on for over ten years. Kim has written Parliamentary briefings for the House of Commons and House of Lords and given advice to the House of Commons select committee.

Kim was former chair of Resolution’s Child Support Committee and has been highlighted by Chambers UK for her “stellar reputation for child support matters”.

Kim is a regular media spokesperson on all areas of family law, including divorce and financial issues, pre-nuptial agreements and child support. She has recently been involved as a legal commentator in the production of television documentaries and is the “go to” legal expert for local and regional radio.

Kim was recently invited to become chair of Lady Taverners. She also lectures, both in the North and on a national basis.

A trained collaborative lawyer, Kim has a reputation as an extremely experienced and able practitioner in children matters, dealing with residence, contact, prohibited steps and specific issue applications.

Wayne Lynn

Legal 500 recognises Wayne Lynn as a ‘next generation partner’ who is “professional, thorough and competent” while Chambers UK says that Wayne is praised by his peers for “being approachable and collaborative.”

The legal guides highlight Wayne’s expertise on cohabitation issues and his keen understanding of financial provision, children law and pre-nuptial agreements. With more than 20 years’ experience as a family lawyer, Wayne is based at our Newcastle office.

Wayne specialises in complex financial issues, including cases involving business assets, trusts and pensions. He has a particular expertise in the growing areas of cohabitation disputes, the drafting of cohabitation agreements and pre and post-nuptial arrangements.

Specialising in family law since qualifying as a solicitor in 1995, Wayne is recognised for his pragmatism. His experience enables him to provide clear and constructive advice, in order to achieve the best outcome for his clients.

Matthew Miles

Matthew is a well-known and highly regarded family lawyer in Yorkshire and the North East. He divides the majority of his time between our Leeds and North Yorkshire offices, but represents clients across the country.

Described as a “rising star” by Legal 500, Matthew specialises in all areas of family law, in particular the resolution of complex financial issues for high net worth individuals on divorce. He is regularly instructed in the negotiation of pre and post-nuptial agreements and also has extensive expertise on disputes relating to children, including applications by parents to relocate overseas.

Matthew is known for being hugely empathetic and understanding of his client’s needs. He prides himself on his accessible, personable approach and first-rate level of service. He is thoughtful, astute and robust in his handling of cases and genuinely strives to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients as painlessly as possible.

Matthew is the former Treasurer of Resolution for the West & North Yorkshire region and remains an active member of the committee.

Matthew was educated at St Peters School in York and graduated from the University of Manchester. He embarked his legal career at a leading law firm in Leeds before qualifying as a solicitor in 2008. He has worked exclusively in family law for over 10 years and developed a glowing reputation over this period.

Outside of work, Matthew is a keen sports fan and enjoys skiing. He has a passion for both travelling and music.

Nia Jameson

Nia is based primarily at our North Yorkshire office, but sees many clients in our Leeds and Newcastle offices and consulting rooms in Teesside and York.

She advises and represents clients in all areas of matrimonial law including divorce and separation, civil partnerships, pre-and post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements, the financial issues arising out of the breakdown of a relationship, and matters involving children. She also assists in advising in complex matters involving farming assets and business structures.

Nia graduated from Durham University before attaining a distinction in her legal qualification. She qualified at a multi-disciplinary practice in Manchester before joining Silk as a solicitor in 2015.

Promoted to associate in 2021, Nia now assists other team members to develop their careers at Silk. She also supervises law students within legal advice clinics for the BPP Law College in Leeds, and acts as mentor to law undergraduates at Durham University.

Nia has an excellent reputation with clients for her calm and pragmatic approach. She is a member of Resolution, the national organisation of family lawyers and other professionals committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters.

Katie Machin

Solicitor Katie is based in our Newcastle office, and works with clients across the region and nationally.

Having qualified in 2008, Katie advises on all aspects of divorce, including financial remedies and children work.  She is also skilled in cohabitation disputes and has experience in property litigation.

Katie was a founding trustee for four years of the charity Smart Works in Newcastle after it was established in 2018, and she is a member of Resolution.

Before returning to her home city of Newcastle, Katie worked for a London law practice. She is known for her pragmatic, conciliatory approach to helping clients through a marriage or relationship breakdown.

North East solicitor promoted to associate at top Northern law firm (March 2022)

Carly Hope

Carly is a solicitor based in our Newcastle office.

A law graduate from Northumbria University, Carly qualified as a solicitor in 2017 and has five years’ experience of working in a number of legal disciplines, spanning family law and civil litigation.

At Silk Family Law Carly assists partners Ian Kennerley, Kim Fellowes and Wayne Lynn.  She has a particular interest in children matters.

Carly joined Silk Family Law from a Newcastle-based firm of solictors where she completed her training contract.

Eleanor Lowes

Eleanor is a specialist family lawyer who advises clients on a broad range of family matters, including divorce, financial remedy, children issues and pre-nuptial agreements.

Described by the independent UK legal guide, Legal 500, as “an associate with a very bright future”, she has notable expertise in private law children matters and in working with clients who have complex income and business structures.

Eleanor is able to offer bespoke, technical legal advice in a calm, friendly and reassuring way. She establishes strong relationships and works hard to obtain the best possible outcomes for all her clients.

Originally from the North East, Eleanor graduated from Clare College, Cambridge, with a first class honours degree in law. She has recently returned to her Geordie home after working in London for a number of years as part of one of the UK’s largest family law teams. She joins the Silk Family Law team based in our Newcastle office, with a reputation of as one of the country’s most gifted young lawyers.

As a member of the London YRes Committee, Eleanor organised talks and events for young family lawyers across London. She recently ran the Great North Run in aid of Down’s Syndrome North East.

Emily Bell

Based at Silk’s Leeds and North Yorkshire offices, Emily has been with the firm since 2011.

An experienced member of the team, Emily works closely with the partners on a range of complex cases and provides support to all fee earners across the full range of family law. This ensures clients have the benefit of the firm’s blended rates and active and regular communication on their case.

Emily has a keen interest in children cases, particularly those with more complex aspects involving safeguarding issues and fact finding.

Clients praise Emily’s incredible eye for detail as well as her calm, reassuring manner.

Having worked towards her qualification whilst working at Silk Family Law, Emily achieved Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) in February 2021. This means she is now qualified to carry out much of the work that solicitors do.

She regularly attends business development groups to extend her network of professional contacts.

Recent blog posts by Emily Bell

Struggling to pay spousal maintenance? Here’s what to do

Judith Pearson

A legal assistant with over 20 years’ experience, Judith has particular expertise in dealing with the financial process and the preparation of court documentation.

She provides high-level support on complex cases.

Julie Gallon

Julie is a highly knowledgeable and accomplished legal assistant whose experience spans almost thirty years in family law with some of the top firms in the North of England.

Based at Silk’s North Yorkshire office, Julie works closely with the partners in Leeds and North Yorkshire, as well as providing support to all the firm’s lawyers.

Julie’s expertise covers the full range of family law, and she has worked extensively on complex financial cases.She is also an experienced trainer and mentor for new and junior members of staff.

Jennifer McKinney

Based in our Newcastle office, Jenny is a qualified paralegal providing high level technical support to the team when researching and preparing for complex cases.

Jenny began her family law career as an administrative assistant at the court in Newcastle for 12 years, covering public law, private law and divorce and was a family clerk to the judges. She has since worked with law firms in Newcastle specialising in family law for the past six years.

Her experience of working in the family law courts means she can give enhanced support to clients, helping guide them through what to expect during the court process.

Eve Bentley

Eve is a Legal Assistant based in our Newcastle Office.

A Law graduate from Newcastle University, Eve has since had experience in both public and private Family Law proceedings.

At Silk Family Law, Eve assists Wayne Lynn and Eleanor Lowes by providing technical support for cases and aspires to eventually qualify as a solicitor in Family Law.

Joanne Hackett

With a career spanning over 35 years in the legal profession, Joanne is an experienced administrator and financial manager who has been with Silk since it was founded in 2010.  As well as responsibility for all aspects of finance and accounting at Silk Family Law, she leads a team of 10 support staff across all Silk’s offices.

Joanne holds an AAT accountancy qualification and is also the firm’s Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA), a key role within a legal practice to ensure the firm meets its regulatory obligations and compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Accounts Rules.

Lucy Moore

Lucy brings 20 years senior HR experience in financial and professional services across the UK and globally.

Lucy advises Silk Family Law on all aspects of human resources and supports the implementation of our people processes, operations and infrastructure, to ensure excellence in our standards and values.

Making sure that Silk is a great place to work, and the recruitment and retention of the highest calibre employees enables Silk to maintain its reputation for the delivery of exceptional client service and results.

Jill Clattenburg

Based in our Newcastle office, Jill has been a pivotal member of the team since 2013.

As operations and facilities manager, Jill is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day operations at the firm including IT support, FM and HR operations. She also supports Joanne in delivering seamless finance and administrative support across the firm.

Jill is also the firm’s unofficial “social secretary” organising social events and staff initiatives, playing a key role in contributing to the close knit and collegiate team culture that our clients know and value.

Tracy Potter

Tracy is a legal secretary with over a decade of experience in family law.

Working alongside partner Harriet Reid, Tracy provides administrative support to our Yorkshire based teams.

Jenni Gursoy

A qualified legal executive since 1996, Jenni provides high level secretarial support to Teresa Davidson working across our Leeds and North Yorkshire offices.

Having formerly worked with Margaret Simpson and Judith Pearson at other firms, Jenni left to get married and move abroad before returning to the UK to set up a family business which she ran from home while her children were young.

Jenni has been a valued member of the Silk team since January 2020.

Danielle Clarkson

Shelley Jones

Shelley is a legal secretary with 20 years experience. She provides high level support to Margaret Simpson in particular and the firm as a whole.

Based in our North Yorkshire office, Shelley is known for developing good relationships with our clients and for her sensitivity in dealing with their needs at what is often a very difficult time in their lives.

Libby White

Libby is a legal secretary based in our Newcastle office. She supports all the fee earners and works closely with solicitor Katie Machin.

Toni Dillon

Toni is an experienced legal secretary and has worked in Family Law since 2011 when she originally joined the Newcastle office.  Toni provides secretarial support to the whole team but primarily for Kim Fellowes alongside Rachael Jonas.

Sophie Johnston​

Based in our Newcastle office, Sophie has recently joined the firm.

As Finance Assistant, Sophie is responsible for assisting Joanne and Jill in the finance procedures.

Sophie is currently working towards completing her AAT accountancy qualifications.