News

Duncan Lewis is pleased to announce the promotion of Sophie Burchett to the position of Director of Child Care and Family Mediation.

Now based primarily in our Luton office, Sophie's journey at Duncan Lewis began in 2008. Over the years, she has exemplified exceptional dedication to assisting her clients on all child care law matters. Having completed her training contract and obtained qualification as a solicitor in October 2010, Sophie has continuously demonstrated her proficiency in navigating the complexities of both public and private law children matters.

Specialising in a diverse array of cases, Sophie has become a trusted advocate for children, parents, grandparents, and extended family members alike. Her extensive experience ranges from domestic violence and neglect to substance abuse and mental health issues. Notably, Sophie has demonstrated exceptional skill in managing cases involving non-accidental injury and fabricated or induced illness, further underscoring her versatility and depth of knowledge in the field.

Sophie’s expertise shines further in the realm of mediation. Holding accreditation as a Resolution-trained Family Mediator, she facilitates 'all issues' mediation, addressing a spectrum of challenges related to children, finances, and property disputes, both remotely and in the firm’s London office. Committed to fostering amicable resolutions, she emphasises the paramount importance of maintaining the well-being of all involved parties, with a steadfast focus on minimising conflict.

Sophie conveyed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I'll be taking over a small team of solicitors and caseworkers and trainees based in our Luton, Milton Keynes and our Birmingham offices. I'm truly excited to step into the role of director."

Sophie’s promotion to director is a testament to her exceptional skills, dedication, and invaluable contributions to the team. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise in child care law. Not only underscoring her individual achievements but also reflecting Duncan Lewis' unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering talent within its ranks.

Duncan Lewis heavily invests in its team, providing robust support throughout their careers with a comprehensive array of training courses and opportunities for advancement, as evidenced by our Gold Standard recognition from Investors in People. Last year, our HR team facilitated 23,056 CPD hours of training, averaging about 45 hours per employee. In alignment with our commitment to nurturing the next generation of solicitors, the company currently has 45 trainee solicitors. We also advocate for family-friendly, flexible working policies, including hybrid working arrangements. Having recently been named Law Firm of the Year at the prestigious 2024 LexisNexis Awards, we continue to be a leading practice in all major areas of law, as confirmed by The Legal 500 UK.

Our Family and Child Care department is ranked and recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for family and matrimonial work, providing confidential advice with effective representation. Our family team includes solicitors who have achieved the Law Society’s Children Law and Family Law Advanced accreditations providing advocacy in all court proceedings, ensuring our clients receive a consistent and professional service as well as a high degree of continuity.

For advice or assistance on a child care matter, contact Sophie Burchett via email at Sophiebu@duncanlewis.com, or by telephone at 02070147382