I understand the process of divorce and separation having gone through it myself a number of years ago. As such I am very aware of how challenging separation can be particularly where there are children involved. My personal experiences, as well as my 18 years of legal experience as a solicitor and mediator, equips me with skills to help parties through the most challenging of times. Before I became a lawyer and mediator I did a degree in mental health and spent my early 20s working as a mental health nurse. I have significant experience of working with children and young people dealing with mental health issues, quite often precipitated by family breakdown. This experience has really assisted me in my work as a Child Inclusive Mediator, an area in which I specialise. I sit on the Family Mediators Association Board and actively promote mediation across the region and nationally. I also work as an accredited Civil and Commercial and Work Place mediator alongside my family practice. I have worked in a number of legal practices over the years from large regional firms to being a partner in two smaller firms. I joined forces with Alison in 2018 to create what is now Barnes Clark Family Law. Alison and I share the same passion, commitment and drive for client care.