Who We Are

Collaborative Law Wales is an organisation of specialist family lawyers who share a commitment to resolving the issues following relationship breakdown in a constructive and amicable way. We are all members of Resolution and all trained Collaborative lawyers. Some of us are also trained mediators, arbitrators or accredited as specialist by The Law Society and/or Resolution.

Choosing a lawyer that is right for you is one of, if not the most important decision you can make. Take time to explore our members’ profiles and individual firm websites. Please do also feel free to call us for an informal chat to see whether the Collaborative process is right for you.

Some of the CLW members

Gerard Griffiths

Gerard is an experienced Family Solicitor. He has a wide range of experience in all aspects of matrimonial law. He is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, a Higher Court Advocate in Civil matters and a Resolution Accredited Specialist in European and International Law. Having conducted a number of Collaborative Cases he has become even more committed to the view that the Collaborative process offers families the best solutions to their problems.

Louise Irvine

Louise is an established family law specialist dealing with all matters arising from the breakdown of a relationship, to include divorce, finances, contact and residence of the children and co-habitation disputes. Louise works with other Collaborative lawyers and professionals to offer a bespoke service to assist the parties to reach a resolution without the delays, lengthy and often costly exchange of correspondence and confrontation that court proceedings often create. Louise is an associate solicitor, Collaborative Lawyer, a member of the Law Society’s Family Panel and a member of Resolution.

Karina Russell

I am a UKCP registered Systemic and Family Psychotherapist with 30 years experience of working with children and their families in various capacities including as a Solicitor, Social Worker, Child Guidance Specialist and presently as a Systemic and Family Psychotherapist in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. I have a Masters degree with distinction and my private practice includes offering a service as a Family Consultant in conjunction with Collaborative lawyers. Much of my therapeutic practice has involved working with families following marital disharmony or breakdown. I draw on systemic ideas and brief therapy approaches which focus not only on emotional difficulties experienced by an individual but within family relationships and the context in which they live. My approach is relationship-based, collaborative and non-judgemental where I offer a supportive space in which individuals, couples and families can explore choices and dilemmas, access their own resources and seek positive solutions. I also undertake therapeutic assessments, particularly in situations where contact with a parent is in dispute Here, I explore the potential for progressing the issue of contact in a way that is constructive for children and acceptable for both parents. My training has covered various modalities including cognitive-behavioural, humanist, solution-focussed and Rogerian person-centred therapy which I integrate with systemic psychotherapy.

Grant Stephens

Based in Cardiff, Grant Stephens is head of Grant Stephens Family Law specialising in all aspects of family law. He is passionate about family law and has achieved a great number of successful outcomes on a wide variety of cases including millionaire lottery wins, issues surrounding inherited wealth, protracted contact disputes and complex business interests to name but a few. He has close links with a number of outside agencies both local and national and works closely with a network of professionals including pension experts and forensic accountants. Grant Stephens is accredited by the Law Society Family Law Advanced Panel. He has a sterling reputation as a skilled negotiator, is renowned for his ability to put clients at ease and strives to find an early resolution in each and every case. He firmly believes that the court process should be viewed as a last resort and promotes Collaborative Law wherever possible. Grant Stephens Family Law offer a first half hour free appointment with no obligation. Please call 02920 329 129 or email grant@grantstephensfamilylaw.co.uk

Joanna Purnell

Jo qualified in 1992 and since then has practised family law. She is a Resolution accredited specialist and an advanced member of the Law Society’s Family Law panel. Jo became a collaborative lawyer in 2009 and is committed to assisting couples to achieve a fair and conflict free outcome to relationship breakdown.