Firm bolsters national network of family lawyers amidst growing demand for one-lawyer divorce service
National consumer law firm Simpson Millar has further bolstered its impressive national network of family law experts with the appointment of experienced Solicitor and keen family law commentator, Ren Behan.
The announcement follows a busy period of growth for the team, which has experienced ‘growing demand’ for its pioneering one-lawyer divorce service, Separating Together, as well as a surge in enquiries relating to co-habitation and prenuptial agreements.
Based in St Albans, and working out of the firm’s London office, Ren specialises in all matters relating to family law, having assisted on cases involving high net value assets, overseas jurisdictions and complex business structures – including trusts and pension transfers.
An active member of both Resolution and Women in Law, and a mentor with WomenReturners.com, she originally qualified as a criminal lawyer in 2005, and worked as a Crown Prosecutor before taking a career break and subsequently re-qualifying in Family Law.
She joins the Simpson Millar team with immediate effect, supporting clients with matters relating to divorce and separation; financial negotiations; consent orders; the provision of child maintenance and breaches or enforcement; Child arrangements, change of name and relocation issues.
Commenting on her new role Ren said she had been attracted to Simpson Millar’s commitment to flexible working, as well as its ‘innovative and forward-thinking’ approach to family law and divorce, and its commitment to ‘open’ up the law to make it easier for people to get legal help and support when they need it.
Commenting on the expansion David Lister, Partner and National Head of the Family Law team at Simpson Millar, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Ren to the family law department.
“Her approach to resolving cases in an empathetic and constructive manner aligns with our values at Simpson Millar, and her experience in dealing with cross-jurisdiction matters will further complement the existing skills within the team.”
Ren Behan, who is fluent in Polish, and who founded Anglo-Polish Lawyers UK to bring together legal professionals working in the United Kingdom, commented: “The landscape of family law forever shifted with the introduction of no-fault divorce earlier this year, and the desire amongst couples in conflict to make the process of divorce and separation far more amicable.
“Increasingly, people want to work together to keep the cost of separation down, and to maintain healthy relationships that benefit themselves, and any children involved.
“As family lawyers, I feel passionately that it is our responsibility to respond to those changing needs and to find solutions that can help to alleviate some of the pressures historically associated with a family breakdown.
“Simpson Millar’s family law team shares that passion, and through the launch of its one-lawyer divorce service, as well as its wider pre-nuptial and co-habitation products and services, it is helping to make the law less complicated for those in need.
“These values really attracted me to the business, and it’s great to also be able to take advantage of the firm’s flexible working policy which allows me to fit my work in around other commitments and my family.
“I am delighted to be joining such a forward-thinking firm, and very much looking forward to working alongside David and the wider family law team.”