Family/Matrimonial
UK Guide 2025 : The South
Band 1
About
Provided by Thomson Snell & Passmore
We have a long-established track record for handling high-value and technically demanding matrimonial disputes for high net worth individuals and professionals.
Our family lawyers always try to minimise the pain and stress caused by family issues and focus on finding the best outcome. We never lose sight of the long-term interests of both the adults and children involved.
With a broad range of clients, knowledge and experience, our family lawyers are also specialists in mediation and collaborative law, providing the right expertise in even the most unusual and difficult circumstances.
We pride ourselves on providing all of our clients with a high quality and efficient service. Our family team has been recognised in The Times 'Best Law Firms' and in the Spear's 500 listings for the top family lawyers for HNW individuals.
Chambers Review
Thomson Snell & Passmore is a leading firm in Kent offering a wide variety of family law services. The team is recognised for its proficiency in tackling substantial matrimonial finance cases, including those that involve shareholdings and inherited wealth. It also assists clients with complicated children law matters including international relocation and parental alienation cases. The firm represents clients from across the region and further afield in the UK, offering them the benefit of the firm's wider expertise in private client and property law, and it can provide a range of alternative dispute resolution options.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Thomson Snell & Passmore is a well-regarded firm that acts for HNW clients and has built a solid reputation."
"The team have always provided me with the perfect combination of expert legal advice as well as the compassion and understanding I need."
"The team always gives strong and considered advice in the best interest of children and family to avoid protracted and unnecessary litigation."
"This team is one of the best: attentive, courteous and client-focused. The service is first class and as good as any of the Magic Circle or City firms."
"Thomson Snell & Passmore is a well-regarded firm that acts for HNW clients and has built a solid reputation."
"The team have always provided me with the perfect combination of expert legal advice as well as the compassion and understanding I need."
"The team always gives strong and considered advice in the best interest of children and family to avoid protracted and unnecessary litigation."
"This team is one of the best: attentive, courteous and client-focused. The service is first class and as good as any of the Magic Circle or City firms."
Notable Practitioners
Joanna Pratt heads the family law practice and is senior partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore. She is a trained collaborative lawyer and has extensive experience in high-value matrimonial finance matters.
"I am not sure what I would have done without Joanna's considered support and advice."
"Joanna is an extremely intelligent individual and there is nothing she doesn’t know."
"Joanna is the most meticulous lawyer. Her attention to detail and preparation is extraordinary and she very much has her client's back."
"Joanna's experience shines through and her knowledge, balanced viewpoint and good counsel have been very much appreciated."
"The expertise she provides enables clients to look forward with confidence and optimism, rather than look back with sadness and regret."
Desmond O'Donnell handles matters relating to divorce proceedings, including private children work and complex finance cases involving offshore assets, company shareholdings and pensions.
"Desmond has a lovely style, he takes clients under his wing and looks after them. His cases always run smoothly and there is never any unnecessary hostility - it is always very pragmatic."
Kirstie Law represents clients in high-value matrimonial finance cases as well as advising on private child care arrangements. She offers clients strong expertise in mediation and other forms of family ADR.
"Kirstie is astute, pragmatic and good at problem-solving. She is definitely a safe pair of hands."
"Kirstie's client care is second to none."
"Kirstie is very pragmatic, experienced and knowledgeable. She has the gravitas to give the reassurance that the client needs."
Sarah Keily advises clients across a wide range of matters including financial remedy proceedings and Children Act cases. She advises unmarried cohabiting couples as well as those going through divorce.
"Sarah is a very safe pair of hands and an intelligent and hard-working solicitor."
"Sarah is a calming influence in high emotion environments."
"Sarah is very collaborative, supportive and responsive. She is always very kind which is invaluable given the challenges I faced."
"Sarah is a total professional who never gets flustered if events take an unexpected turn and is relentless in her pursuit of the right result."
Ranked Lawyers at
Thomson Snell & Passmore
The South
Members
Provided by Thomson Snell & Passmore