Mandi Austin

Mandi Austin specialises in Family Law in particular complex financial issues and qualified as a solicitor in September 2000 and is a Director at Purcell. Mandi is a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel and a member of Resolution. She is passionate about the Collaborative process and is the Treasurer of the local collaborative group and is committed to the expansion and growth of collaborative law having now completed a number of cases using the process. When not working Mandi enjoys socialising with friends and attends the gym at least twice a week which she says is a great stress reliever.

Stacey St.Clair

Stacey was delighted to join the specialist practice Hawkins Family Law in February 2016 and has considerable experience. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2011 having completed her training with Hine Solicitors in Beaconsfield. Stacey is committed to the collaborative process and is a Resolution Accredited Specialist. Stacey is a sensitive and skilled family law solicitor who handles cases surrounding divorce, cohabitation, domestic abuse, abduction and finances.

Stacey specialises in all aspects of divorce with the particular emphasis on the resolution of financial issues.  She advises on the full range of children disputes to include child arrangement orders, injunctive relief, international custody disputes and international relocation.

Stacey stands out from most other family solicitors because she is able to undertake the advocacy for her clients within court proceedings from the very first hearing.

Stacey promotes a conciliatory and non-confrontational approach. This means she will try and resolve issues amicably and without recourse to the courts. However if necessary, Stacey is also a confident and experienced court advocate and boasts a robust determination to ensure the best outcome for her clients.

Rachel Lander

Rachel is a senior Solicitor at Hawkins Family Law in Stony Stratford, having specialised in family law for over 16 years. She is an Accredited Specialist of Resolution and a trained Mediator. Rachel trained as a collaborative lawyer in May 2005, and was one of the first to help to establish collaborative practice in the North of England. She says, "Collaborative is a growing trend and is a civilised and constructive way to endeavour to resolve issues arising from divorce and separation, whilst helping to reduce mistrust and any ‘Chinese whispers’ effect that can all too easily build up in normal court proceedings".

Jo Hawkins

Jo qualified as a solicitor in 1992 having completed her training at leading Cambridge firms Taylor Vinters and Thompson and Co. After qualification, Jo moved to J Garrard and Allen in Olney where she established the family department. In 1994 Jo was made a Partner at J Garrard and Allen and continued to build and develop the practice. Jo trained as a mediator with Resolution in 1996. In 2001 Jo decided to set up independently and created a purely family law practice in Stony Stratford. Since then Hawkins Family Law has continued to grow but maintains its original ethos of providing professional quality advice to individuals. The team is described by The Legal 500 as 'exemplary' and Jo herself as a 'Leading Individual' with 'strong experience and a commercial approach'. Jo is a trained Collaborative Lawyer and in June 2013 became a Family law Arbitrator. In addition she is an accredited specialist of Resolution and is on the committee for the local Resolution group in Milton Keynes.

Jo has particular experience in relation to all aspects of separation and divorce. Much of her work involves dealing with complex financial issues. Jo also has considerable experience resolving children issues. Jo has established good links with local and national solicitors and other professionals which can be called upon as and when required.

Beth Woodward

​Beth Woodward is a Partner and heads up the divorce and family law department at Neves Solicitors LLP Milton Keynes office. She is the Chairperson of the Milton Keynes Collaborative Group and as their liaison officer represents the Group at national level. She has specialised in Family Law for over 20 years. She has extensive experience in guiding couples through their separation using the Collaborative Law process for which she has a high success rate. She believes it offers couples control and dignity in the process of separating. Beth is a member of Resolution. In her spare time she is an avid reader, is always on the go and enjoys spending time with her family. She also helps at her local Youth Club for teenagers and is a School Governor.

Gemma Evans

Gemma Evans has specialised in family law since 2006 and is committed to the collaborative law process. Gemma is an Associate Solicitor at Purcell Solicitors and advises in relation to all aspects of family law, in particular complex children issues and financial matters. Gemma is a member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel and a member of Resolution

Jo Hawkins

Annabel qualified as a solicitor in 1998, and has practiced in family law ever since with particular specialist in cases involving complex finances. She was delighted to join specialist practice Hawkins Family Law in April 2014, and is now a Director, having spent the previous eleven years as a Senior Associate at Taylor Vinters in Cambridge and London.

Annabel is collaboratively trained as a family lawyer, she is a family mediator and is a Resolution Specialist in cases involving substantial assets (including pre-nuptial agreements), and those involving cohabitees. The Legal 500 comments that the team at Hawkins are 'exemplary' and describes Annabel as 'striking a good balance between empathising and successfully navigating divorce cases' and 'a pragmatic lawyer with a cool head'. Her strong reputation is built around negotiating tailor-made financial settlements, where possible out of court, and at an early juncture.

Alongside client work, Annabel is regional Press Officer for the Milton Keynes' branch of Resolution and sits on Resolution's national Cohabitation Working Party which campaigns to secure legal recognition for cohabitants. She is a contributor to the legal and national media on family issues, and lives in Bedford.

​​Tina Shah

Tina joined Neves in 2021 after having been Head of Family Law at a local firm. She is experienced in dealing with all aspects of family law including matrimonial, private law children matters, domestic violence and cohabitation matters. She is passionate about resolving disputes in a non-confrontational way. She trained as a collaborative lawyer to help couples wanting to share control of resolving their issues together. In her free time Tina enjoys fundraising and charity work.

Loraine Davenport

Loraine qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and since then has specialised in family law with a focus on complex financial issues. She is accredited by Resolution and is a mediator as well as a solicitor. Since qualifying as a collaborative lawyer in 2005 she has concluded many collaborative cases and is a committed advocate of the process. She also chairs the regional group of Resolution recognising the crucial importance of the good practice that Resolution promotes in this area of law which is so pivotal to minimising the adverse effects of separation. The Legal 500 comments that the team at Hawkins are "exemplary" and specifically recommends Loraine who 'fights her clients' corner, but knows when it is in a client’s interests to settle.’

​Lisa Buckridge

​Lisa Buckridge has specialised in family law for over 12 years and is a Director at Purcell solicitors. Lisa trained as a collaborative lawyer in 2012 and recognises the many benefits, including greater control and dignity, that this process offers families going through a separation. Lisa is a member of Resolution and is also a trustee and current Chair of Milton Keynes Children’s Contact Centre in Milton Keynes.

Helen Taylor

Helen has over 20 years' experience specialising in family law and is known for her pragmatic 'cutting to the chase' approach. In Helen's experience, most clients prefer to reach an agreement in relation to arrangements concerning their children and regarding financial matters and avoid going to court and Helen works hard to achieve that for most of her clients. However, where court proceedings are required, Helen has a record of achieving successful outcomes for her clients. Helen is a collaborative lawyer and a member of Resolution and believes in dealing with matters reasonably and fairly.

Jane Charlton

Jane is a member of Shakespeares, working in Newport Pagnell and Milton Keynes and has over 20 years experience in family law, focusing on complex financial matters including businesses and pensions. Jane also deals with children matters. Jane is committed to the collaborative process. She is a member of Resolution. Shakespeares has a specialist family department ranked first tier in the Legal 500 and Jane has an mention in the publication being described as “professional and understanding”. Jane is married with two daughters and enjoys family life, good food and good company. She also enjoys the countryside and horse riding.

Pauline Purcell

Pauline is the Managing Director of Purcell Solicitors, a specialist family law firm in Central Milton Keynes. She is an experienced family Solicitor, Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer. Pauline was one of the first Collaborative Lawyers in the country and has considerable experience representing clients in this way. She is committed to the collaborative process as an innovative way of helping couples resolve their disputes in an amicable and civilised way. Pauline says “It is incredibly rewarding to see a client come through the collaborative process having made their own decisions about the future whilst remaining on reasonable terms with their former partner and most importantly able to focus on what is best for their children”

Caroline Watson

Caroline is a partner and heads up the family teams for Shoosmiths in Milton Keynes and Northampton. Caroline has nearly 20 years’ experience in all areas of family law to include divorce, separation, cohabitation, pre and post-nuptial agreements and children matters. Caroline is recommended in the legal directories and known for her meticulous case preparation and technical expertise. Caroline’s mission is to achieve the very best outcome for you and your family. She offers practical and clear advice whilst also understanding the emotional issues that can arise.

What the directories say: "without doubt she impressed me", "she has meticulous case preparation, and gives realistic and robust advice at appropriate times", "an excellent lawyer who is always prepared to fight her clients’ corner" and "makes difficult cases seem simple".

Caroline is happy to provide an initial consultation by telephone without charge or obligation to discuss your issues and explain how she can help.