Law firm Fletcher Day is pleased to announce that leading family solicitor Anita Shepherd has been appointed as a partner and head of the Manchester office’s family team. Prior to joining Fletcher Day, Anita was head of family for Manchester at Shoosmiths LLP, a national corporate firm.
Anita advises clients on all areas of relationship breakdown including financial settlements on divorce, private children disputes, child maintenance and disputes between cohabiting couples. With 21 years of experience, she is adept at handling high net worth cases involving complex assets, business, and pension structures. Anita was recognised as an expert in her field in the 2021 edition of The Legal 500 where she is described as “very professional but still maintains a friendly and pragmatic approach with a view on getting the job done.”
Anita is a trained collaborative lawyer and is able to offer this service as an alternative process to her clients as well as being a strong supporter of family mediation. She is also an active member of Resolution and an advanced accredited specialist in Advanced Financial Provision and Domestic Abuse.
A strong believer in giving back, Anita mentors and supervises law students from Manchester University and MMU at the student family law clinic. She also provides pro bono legal advice to the public via Manchester Free Legal at Manchester Civil Justice Centre (remotely during Covid) and is a trustee for the charity, Talk Listen Change (TLC).
Fletcher Day’s family team has grown substantially in recent months with five new partners joining the London office in 2020. Anita’s appointment in Manchester is part of Fletcher Day’s plans to expand in the North West.
Anita Shepherd said:
“I am delighted to have joined Fletcher Day’s formidable family team. This opportunity gives me the ideal platform to do what I feel is best for my family clients which is to provide bespoke tailored advice with a view to finding solutions to avoid costly and stressful court proceedings. It is testament to Fletcher Day as to how quickly I feel I have settled in following the warm welcome they have given me”
Fletcher Day’s senior partner Jude Fletcher said:
“The unique challenges presented by the pandemic have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for pragmatic family law advice. We are pleased that Anita is able to support our clients in the North West through what is often an extremely critical and stressful point in their lives.”