Meet the team

The Family Team

Our solicitors are accredited members of the Law Society's Children Panel. We specialise in care proceedings, acting for both parents and children, and also within matrimonial matters, we can help with financial disputes and all aspects of family and matrimonial law. Please get in touch with us to book an appointment so that we can discuss your problem, directly.

 Suzanne Neale


 Contact no: 0121 233 2971

 PARTNER & HEAD OF THE FAMILY DEPARTMENT

Suzanne first joined Glaisyers in 2006 and qualified as a Solicitor with the firm in 2008. Ms Neale is now a partner at the firm and head of the family department. 

Suzanne's specialist expertise are in family law. She was appointed as a member of the Law Society's Children Panel in 2013 and she is regularly instructed in complex cases at all levels of court up to the High Court, including a case in the Court of Protection.

Suzanne represents parents, extended family members and children in relation to care, placement and adoption proceedings brought by the Local Authority, and this includes cases involving Special Guardianship Orders. The cases she has dealt with have often involved complex issues such as non accidental injury, international elements, and cases that have been reported in the media. She has also represented teenagers and other vulnerable clients protected by the Official Solicitor.

Suzanne provides legal advice and support on all child protection issues, as well as within pre-proceedings initiated by the Local Authority.

Suzanne also deals with difficult private law matters involving residence and contact disputes, relocation of parents and children, and specific issues. She has also acted for Guardians appointed on behalf of children in such difficult private law matters.

In addition, Suzanne's case load has included representing clients in applications for Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders, where serious allegations of physical and emotional abuse have been made.

Jennifer McGill


 Contact no: 0121 233 2971
 
FAMILY SOLICITOR

Jennifer has worked at Glaisyers since 2007 and qualified as a solicitor in the Family Department in 2010. She is a member of the Resolution Panel and an accredited member the law society children panel and takes instructions from guardians in both private and public children law matters.

Jennifer has become a valued member of the team and has developed a keen interest in Children Law which she finds rewarding and challenging. Jennifer specialises in Care Proceedings and represents parents and other relatives and has worked on a diverse range of cases. Jennifer has dealt with complex Non Accidental injury cases and successfully won damages for a Client under the Human Rights Act following the Local Authority unlawfully removing a child from his mother.

Jennifer regularly deals with complex Private Law proceedings dealing with Child Arrangement Orders, formerly known as Residence and Contact Orders, and represents clients who are seeking orders to protect them from domestic violence, abuse and harassment under the Family Law Act 1996.

Jennifer frequently represents clients who require the assistance of the Official Solicitor, Independent Advocate and Adult Social Workers.

Jennifer is friendly and approachable and deals with cases in a sensitive manner as she is aware the Court Proceedings can be stressful and upsetting. Jennifer frequently appears in the Family Court and has represented clients in the High Court.

Jennifer has only ever practised in family law and being a family solicitor allows Jennifer to represent the most vulnerable people within society at a critical time in their lives.

Lucie Allen


Contact no: 0121 233 2971
 
FAMILY SOLICITOR

Lucie qualified as a solicitor in 2013 having achieved a First-Class Degree in Law. She has specialised in Family Law matters since qualifying.

She is well known for her approachable and respectful manner, dealing with clients from all walks of life. Coming from a regular, working-class background has meant that she can offer an honest and down to earth service to all her clients.

Lucie comes from a family who are qualified foster carers, so she has had hands on experience with children in care. She is experienced in public law proceedings involving Children Services, as well as;

• Private law disputes between parents including Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Order and Child Arrangement Orders
• Special Guardianship Orders
• Divorce and financial matters
• Domestic violence injunctions
• Recovery orders
• Abduction 
• Adoption 

In 2021 Lucie was awarded the Law Society Children Law Accreditation and has since represented a number of children, taking her instructions from experienced Guardians. She is a confident advocate and appears regularly at court. She is highly regarded amongst her peers and members of the Judiciary.
 

                                                Alex Pearson

Contact no 0121 233 2971
Email: alexpearson@glaisyers.co.uk 

CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE
LAW AND AMERICAN STUDIES - LLB
LAW AND INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS LLM

Alex joined the family department in December 2022, having worked in family law since 2016. Alex specialises in representing parents and other family members in matters concerning children, both in private law disputes, and in public law matters where the Local Authority are involved. She also has experience in the area of domestic abuse injunctions and forced marriage protection orders.
Alex has acted in cases where there are dificult issues to contend with, including forced marriage, risk of radicalisation, and complex surrogacy issues. In addition, she is familiar with working with clients who have learning diifficulties and neurodiversity which impacts on understanding and behaviour, and is keen to ensure that this does not lead to a disadvantage within their court proceeding.
Alex has previously volunteered for the Personal Suport Unit (now Support through Court) providing support and assistance to people going through the Court process unrepresented. She understands how difficult and daunting the Court process can appear, and is able to provide sensible advice in a sensible way. 

                                               Jaya Dhaliwal

Contact no 0121 233 2971
Email: jayadhaliwal@glaisyers.co.uk 

FAMILY SOLICITOR

Jaya qualified as a solicitor in 2023 and joined Glaisyers in November 2023. She has been working in family law since 2020. She has experience in handling cases within various areas of family and child care law, such as child arrangements, care and domestic abuse matters. 
Jaya also deals with public family law matters and care proceedings. Public Law Outline meetings , care orders and supervision orders.
She has experience in more complex cases including accidental injury and sexual abuse. 
She is passionate about her role and building strong relationships with clients. She aims to achieve outcomes that are in the best interest of the client and children with a sensitive approach.
She is fluent in Punjabi and has experience with dealing with clients from different backgrounds.

 

Indiya Kainth

Email: IndiyaKainth@glaisyers.co.uk

FAMILY SOLICITOR


Indiya joined Glaisyers LLP in Jan 2024. She qualified as a solicitor in October 2023.

Indiya represents parents when the Local Authority becomes involved in their family. Including Public Law Outline matters and in Court proceedings on an application for Care, Placement and Discharge of Care Orders. She also represents parents in private law proceedings concerning where children live and who they spend time with as well as non-molestation order proceedings.

Working in family law since 2019, she has experienced working with vulnerable parents and those with learning difficulties and regularly appears at Court.

She has experience in cases involving substance misuse, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

She has also volunteered at the Personal Support Unit now Support Through Court, assisting parents representing themselves in Court proceedings. 





 

Zylana Smith

Email: zylanasmith@glaisyers.co.uk

FAMILY SOLICITOR


Zylana qualified as a Solicitor in 2020 and joined Glaisyers in February 2024. She has been working in family law since 2016 and has experience in all areas of family law. Zylana specialises in care proceedings representing parents and other family members. Her personable, professional approach ensures that clients feel listened to and supported during what is a difficult time.

She has regularly dealt with complex matters including cases where allegations have been made of serious inflicted injury and sexual abuse. Zylana has assisted counsel on complex cases before the High Court. She strives to achieve the best outcome for her clients and undertakes her own advocacy, where possible, to ensure clients are given continuous service.







 

Zoe Brettle

Email: Zoebrettle@glaisyers.co.uk

FAMILY SOLICITOR

Zoe represents parents, children, and other family members when they find themselves experiencing local authority involvement, or in cases where there is a dispute over living and contact arrangements for children. She regularly appears before the court at all levels, from the lay magistrates to the High Court.


Zoe joined Glaisyers LLP in May 2021 having worked in family law for nearly 10 years. She qualified as a solicitor in March 2013 and became an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Panel in April 2016, specialising in family matters. She trained and qualified at a central Birmingham law firm specialising in family law and is deeply passionate about representing and supporting those who need  help during the court process. 

She has worked almost exclusively in complex care proceedings and non-accidental injury for many years; and continues to focus her work on the representation of parents and children. She acts for parents, carers and children within these complex proceedings which involve allegations of physical abuse such as shaken baby syndrome, fractures, bruises, factitious illness, etc. She works with clients all over the country and represents people in all courts.

She is experienced in dealing with a very wide range of cases involving parental alienation, removal from jurisdiction, serious allegations of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and cases involving international elements. She has also represented children in applications for secure accommodation orders, DOLs, warship cases, forced marriage protection orders.



 

Raminder Matharu

Email: ramindermatharu@glaisyers.co.uk

ASSOCIATE LEGAL EXECUTIVE

Raminder is a Legal Executive in the Family Department, having joined the firm in January 2023. Raminder has over 15years experience within family law and has a sympathetic, yet pragmatic approach when representing clients, including those with learning difficulties. She specialises in both private and public law proceedings:

 

·        Private law children arrangement order proceedings, including issues of permanent removal of a child from the jurisdiction and parental alienation.

 

·        S91(14) applications when exceptional circumstances apply to restrict further applications being made without leave of the Court.

 

·        Special guardianship orders for extended family members.

 

·        Assisting parents within pre-proceedings matters to advise/assist them in order to prevent care proceedings being issued.

 

·        Care proceedings to represent the parents against the local authority in cases of neglect, abuse, and non-accidental injuries. 

 

·        Non molestation and occupation order proceedings.


She undertakes the majority of her own advocacy and is fluent in Punjabi..



Private Client Department - Wills, Trust and probate

With more than 30 years of experience in the field, our  expert and partner of the firm, David Simon, deals exclusively with wills, probate and administration for private clients and is more than capable of providing you with the bespoke, discreet services that you require.

David Simon


contact no 0121 233 2971
email:  davidsimon@glaisyers.co.uk
PARTNER

David joined Glaisyers in 1990 after working as an assistant solicitor and then partner with Rutherfords in Tamworth and Castle Bromwich. David became a Partner at Glaisyers in 1993 and for many years David dealt with divorce and related financial disputes. He now deals exclusively with wills, probate  and administration for private clients

The Litigation Team


With more than 30 years of experience in the field, our litigation experts are more than capable of providing you with the bespoke, discreet services that you require. Please get in touch with Glaisyers today for further information, or to begin discussing your unique circumstances with a member of our team.


Graham Bird


 Contact no 0121 233 2971
email grahambird@glaisyers.co.uk

SENIOR LITIGATOR - CIVIL LITIGATION DEPT 

Graham is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. He has been with Glaisyers since 1999, following their incorporation with Reece Davis Wood Wild & Co . Graham deals with contractual disputes, personal injury and all types of debt work. 

Outside of work Graham has a passion for football and has travelled all over the world following Aston Villa and England.

Get in touch


For advice with family law, litigation, prison law, wills and probate we have a specialist team of solicitors who can help you in every situation.
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