Contact Us

The East London and Essex collaborative Law Group is made up of lawyers, independent financial advisers, mediators and family consultants. Utilising the Collaborative law process they work together to support divorcing or separating couples to sort out future arrangements for their children, financial and property matters.

Please see below members details - choose a member to contact, find out more and book an appointment today.

Deborah Butterworth

Deborah Butterworth

Family Mediator, Civil and Commercial Mediator

As a mediator I work with other professionals to find a way forward that works in practice.  By providing a safe place to share information and discuss issues until a resolution is found.  Mediation is a cost-effective process that manages the stress and conflict.  Legal aid mediation is available for those eligible. 

 Email:deborah@mediateddisputesolutions.uk

 Location: Woodford, Stratford, Putney, Diss (Norfolk)

 Tel: 020 8505 4175

 Website:www.mediateddisputesolutions.uk


Joanna Toloczko

Joanna Toloczko

Family Solicitor and Family Mediator

I am an experienced family lawyer and mediator. I adopt a constructive, non-confrontational and pragmatic approach to the resolution of all issues arising out of relationship breakdown and help my clients to deal with matters with confidence and dignity.

Contact details:

 Location: London, Essex and online

 Email: Joanna.Toloczko@RWKGoodman.com

 Tel: 07553 058485

 Website: www.rwkgoodman.com


Karen Taylor

Karen Taylor

Collaborative Lawyer

I work with clients to identify the issues that are most important to them and to customise the legal and practical solutions to those issues.  I draw on my extensive network of like minded professionals (mediators, financial advisors, counsellors and other lawyers) to support and empower my clients while they deal with the impact of what can be profound changes in their lives.  Once a solution has been arrived at, I then deal with the legal processes, to implement the decisions.

Contact details:

 Location: Chelmsford

 Email: karentaylor@essexfamilylaw.co.uk

 Tel: 01245 206780

 Website: www.essexfamilylaw.co.uk


Gail Thompson

Gail Thompson

Senior Family Law Solicitor and Collaborative Lawyer

I am head of the family department at Levy & Co. Whilst I am primarily based at our Witham office the firm has 5 offices in Essex and Suffolk.

 Location: Witham

 Email: g.thompson@levysolicitors.co.uk

 Tel: 01376 511819

 Website: www.levysolicitors.co.uk


Hannah Kelly

Hannah Kelly

Family Solicitor and Collaborative Lawyer

I have specialised in family law since qualification as a solicitor in 2004.   I deal with all aspects of family law with a particular emphasis on resolving financial issues following relationship breakdown.  I have been accredited as a specialist member of Resolution with particular specialisms in Advanced Financial Provision and Private Children Law and am also a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel.  I am committed to helping couples find solutions for themselves to help to minimise the impact of family breakdown.

 Location: Billericay, Chelmsford

 Email: hannah@kellyfamilylaw.co.uk

 Tel: 01277 584700   or   07729 951193

 Website: www.kellyfamilylaw.co.uk


Louise Margiotta

Louise Margiotta

Collaborative Lawyer, Family Solicitor, and Family Mediator

I am a specialist family lawyer with over 20 yeasrs experience. I am committed to assisting separating couples to make informed decisions to achieve family focused outcomes. The welfare of children is central to my approach and working with other professionals to achieve the best outcome.

 Email: Louise.Margiotta@tsplegal.com

 Tel: 01206 217026 or 07808 331817

 Website: www.tsplegal.com


Cathy Bannister

Cathy Bannister

Family Law Solicitor and Collaborative Lawyer

I am a member of Resolution and I have over 20 years experience in family law, as a Legal Executive and since 2008 as a Solicitor. 

I am delighted to offer the Collaborative Law process, in appropriate circumstances.  I also advise and support clients through the more traditional dispute  resolution processes.  Wherever possible I take  a constructive and non-confrontational approach in order to enable parties to move on with dignity.

Contact details:

 Location: Southend on Sea, Essex

 Email: c.bannister@drysdales.net

 Tel: 01702 423400

 Website: www.drysdales-solicitors.co.uk


Saika Alam

Saika Alam

Partner and Head of Family Law

My practice covers the whole range of family law issues for both married and unmarried couples.  I specialise in getting a resolution to the financial aspects of a relationship breakdown whether by way of negotiation or court proceedings.  I also deal with disputes involving children, applications to the court for child arrangement orders and domestic abuse.

I am a member of Resolution and am on the Law Society’s Advanced Family Law Panel.  I am also a trained Collaborative Family Lawyer.

Branch Austin McCormick is a boutique firm in the heart of the West End. We offer a personal service tailored to the needs of our clients.

 Location: Mayfair

 Email: sa@branchaustinmccormick.com

 Tel: 0207 851 0110

 Website: www.branchaustinmccormick.com


Emma Brunning

Emma Brunning

Collaborative Solicitor, Family Solicitor and Family Arbitrator

I have practiced in family law since I qualified as a solicitor in 1997.  Having seen the damage that court proceedings can do, I am a strong advocate for dispute resolution.  I believe that working together can be the best approach for separating couples, particularly when they have children.  The collaborative approach enables the couple to work alongside professionals with a similar mindset to mine, in the best interests of the whole family.  

I am a member of Resolution, where I am an accredited specialist and a trained Collaborative lawyer.  I am also a qualified Arbitrator in respect of financial issues arising from relationship breakdown. 

Contact details:

 Location: Chelmsford, Essex

 Email: emma-brunning@birketts.co.uk

 Tel: 01245 211330

 Website: www.birketts.co.uk


Jonathan Diamond

Jonathan Diamond

Solicitor advocate and specialist family lawyer

Jonathan is a hugely experienced and approachable family lawyer who is registered as an expert with both Resolution and the Law Society and is also a member of the Law Society's Children Panel ".

Contact details:

 Location: Romford

 Tel: 01708 754183

 Email: Jonathan.Diamond@fbarnes.co.uk

 website: www.fbarnes.co.uk


Vicky Robertson

Vicky Robertson

I have over 20 years experience as a family lawyer and I have been a mediator since 2016, becoming accredited in 2018. I help my clients to resolve their issues in the least stressful and cost effective manner possible. I work with other professionals when necessary to help couples prioritise their children and resolve their disputes quickly.

Consultant Family Solicitor
and Collaborative Lawyer

 Location: Essex and online

 Tel: 020 7504 7071 ext 2278

 Email: Vicky.robertson@nexa.law

 Website: www.nexa.law

VR Family Mediation 
Accredited Mediator

 Location: Chelmsford

 Tel: 012 4520 2590

 Email: vicky@vrfamilymediation.co.uk

 Website: www.vrfamilymediation.co.uk


Sybilla Agasee

Sybilla Agasee

Collaborative Lawyer, Family Solicitor and Family Mediator

I have over 20 years of family law experience and am committed to working with other professionals to help separating couples prioritise their children,  resolve their dispute quickly, cost effectively and with the minimum of stress and conflict.

Contact details:

 Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

 Email: sybilla@agaseelaw.com 

 Tel: 01702 932 619

 Website:www.sybillaagaseelaw.com


Sally Ward

Sally Ward

Collaborative Lawyer

I qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and have always specialised in family law. I deal with all aspects of family law and have a wide breadth of expertise in divorce and relationship breakdown, cohabitation, finances and children.

I like to work with clients, listening to what they wish to achieve and advising them without using legal jargon so that they have a realistic understanding of the law and can make the right decisions for themselves and their family.

Contact details:

 Location: Chelmsford

 Email: Sally.Ward@ellisonssolicitors.com

 Tel: 01245 968894

 Website: www.ellisonssolicitors.com


Peter Sharman

Peter Sharman

Director & Independent Financial Advisor

Member of the Personal Finance Society, The Society of Mortgage professionals and the Chartered Insurance Institute I specialise in corporate and personal protection insurance, home and corporate finance including Equity Release and tax planning. When divorcing it is vital that insurances are in place to ensure dependents are secure should the worst happen.

 Location: Chelmsford

 Email: peter@optimumfinancial.co.uk

 Tel: 01245 344003

 Website: www.optimumfinancial.co.uk


Christopher Ellis

Christopher Ellis

Independent Financial Adviser and Pension specialist

I am an experienced independent financial adviser specialising in all things pension related.

I work with Family Solicitors, Collaborative Lawyers and mediators to ensure separating couples obtain the best possible outcome in relation to their pension assets.

Contact details:

 Location: Chelmsford

 Email: chris@optimumfinancial.co.uk

 Tel: 01245 344003

 Website: www.optimumfinancial.co.uk


Jennifer Herbert

Jennifer Herbert

Senior Associate Solicitor and Collaborative Lawyer

I work closely with clients to achieve their desired outcome in all aspects of family life. I strive to advise my clients in an uncomplicated and understandable way which enables the client to make informed decisions throughout the process.

Contact details:

 Location: Hornchurch, Upminster, Brentwood, Canary Wharf, Leigh-on-Sea

 Tel: 01708255193

  Email: Jennifer.herbert@pinneytalfourd.co.uk

  Website: www.pinneytalfourd.co.uk


Jacqui Moyies

Jacqui Moyies

Chartered Financial Planner

I specialise in pensions and investment advice and I have significant experience helping clients through the divorce process. I work closely with family lawyers and accountants and I am an affiliate member of Resolution.

 Location: Southend-on-Sea<

 Email: Jacqui.moyies@sipp.co.uk

 Tel: 01702 217558

 Website: www.agfp.co.uk


Sue Nash

Sue Nash

Legal Executive and Family Law Collaborator

Sue is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Legal Executives and has been a family lawyer for the past 32 years. Sue specialises in divorce, finances, children's issues and grandparent cases.

 Location: Billericay, Brentwood, Chelmsford & Essex

 Email: sue@sanderswitherspoon.co.uk

 Tel: 01277 221010 Fax: 01277 219125

 Website: www.sanderswitherspoon.co.uk