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

Catrin Griffiths

Catrin Griffiths is Partner with Red Kite Law LLP and Heads up the Family Department with offices in Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Catrin handles some of the most difficult and sensitive cases involving families in South and West Wales, whether disputed financial settlements, children cases or domestic abuse. Many of Catrin’s clients are land owners, business owners or professionals with valuable pension assets. Catrin qualified as a Solicitor in 2002 and since then has dedicated her career to dealing with all aspects of the law as it relates to families – whether married, living together or forced apart by circumstance. Catrin’s expertise was recognised in April 2013 when she was accredited as an Advanced Family Law Panel member with the Law Society. Catrin prides herself on being approachable and friendly. Most of her work comes from personal recommendations. Catrin is also a member of Resolution, a family law organisation that encourages a non-confrontational approach in dealing with family law cases. Her aim is to help every client reach an amicable solution to their problem wherever possible. When recourse to court is needed, Catrin is a confident and experienced court advocate. In 2015 Catrin qualified as a Collaborative lawyer increasing her dedication to conciliatory and non-court methods of resolving family breakdown matters. Catrin is described as the leading individual for South and Mid Wales Family lawyers in the 2015 Edition of the Legal 500. Catrin is a Welsh Speaker and happy to accept instructions in either Welsh or English.

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.

Alun Jones

Alun trained as a Collaborative Lawyer in June 2009 and has since then maintained and developed an increasing Collaborative work load. Alun maintains a refreshing and progressive attitude to the complex area of Family Law and is wholly focussed and committed to the resolution of the conflicts and disputes that arise when couples separate. Alun qualified as a solicitor in London in 1994 and remained working there and practicing exclusively in the specialised area of Matrimonial and Family Law until 2004 when he returned to his native South Wales. In 2005 Alun set up his own Family Law practice, Alun Jones Family Law, providing specialist and discreet advice, representation and support on all aspects of relationship breakdown. As a Solicitor/Mediator/Collaborative Lawyer Alun maintains a conciliatory but firm approach that guides clients to a satisfactory and amicable outcome thereby ensuring the best interests of the children are preserved. With over 20 years of legal professional experience and as a member of Resolution since 1999 Alun has extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of family law, particularly finances, dealing regularly with complex issues and representing high net worth individuals. Alun’s practice continues to grow by making the best use of technology to assist in providing clients with the best possible service and advice. Alun is Treasurer of the Collaborative Law in Wales POD. Alun is also a strong advocate of the benefits of the Collaborative Law process to both clients and lawyers alike.

Sali Jackson-Thomas

Sali Jackson Thomas is a family law Solicitor and Partner in JCP Solicitors. With offices in Swansea, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire, Sali is on hand to offer her services in collaborative law across the whole of South and West Wales. Sali has more than 20 years of experience providing family legal advice. In 1996 Sali underwent training as a Mediator with the late Professor John Haynes PhD, who was known to be a leading authority on Alternative Dispute Resolution. Sali then qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer in 2005, after undergoing training with Pauline Tesler, a San Francisco Bay area Collaborative Lawyer. Sali is an expert in cases involving family businesses, pensions, overseas trusts, and assets outside the jurisdiction. Sali and her team have been actively involved in developing new approaches to partnership and living together agreements for many years. As well as being a member of Collaborative Lawyers in Wales, Sali is a member of the Solicitor's Family Law Association (now Resolution), The Law Society Advanced Family Panel and the UK College of Mediators.

Max Davies

Max Davies is a family law barrister who practices from 30 Park Place Chambers in Cardiff. He is a collaboratively trained lawyer and is able to act either as a jointly instructed expert or by way of sole instruction where both clients would benefit from the use of Counsel. Called to the Bar in 2005, having had a brief previous career spent mostly at the Daily Telegraph, Max quickly specialised in Family Law and in particular in Matrimonial Finance and property disputes between cohabitees. He has lectured at for Resolution, the Confederation of South Wales Law Societies, the Solicitors Group and at in-house chambers events on numerous subjects within this field. He is a keen advocate of the Collaborative Law alternative to the court process and is committed to resolving marital breakdown with a future focussed approach.