Alison Hawes 

About My Role

I am a partner in the firm and joined the Bristol office of Irwin Mitchell in November 2010 having previously spent 18 years at Bristol firm TLT as Head of the Family Team there.  My role is to establish and develop a first class and approachable family team for Irwin Mitchell in Bristol.  My practice includes advising about complex financial matters when a relationship breaks down, often where there is a business or partnership involved.  I advise clients who need pre-marital agreements or post-marital agreements and living together contracts.  I have niche specialism in co-habitation and co-owned property issues.  I am a trained collaborative lawyer - a way to resolve disputes without going to court and working creatively with clients and accountants to make sure a family business is not damaged on separation.

"Commands enormous loyalty from her clients.  She is very good at delivering difficult messages tactfully and effectively."
Chambers and Partners Directory 2011/12

"Pre-eminent"
Legal 500 2011

Memberships

• Bristol Resolution
• National Resolution
• Law Society
• Member of the Standards Committee of Resolution

Publications

• Butterworths - Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents (Family volume)
• Frequent lecturer for CLT especially on co-habitation and related issues

More About Me

What Inspired You To Get Into Law?

It seemed to me the perfect way to make a real difference to resolving peoples' problems in a positive and practical way.

What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?

Being able to provide an approachable and first class support for people who are often feeling vulnerable, confused or worried about being secure for the future when a relationship breaks down.

What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?

It is early days yet but the quality and ability of the lawyers that I have met, including the national team of family lawyers is outstanding.  The firm appears to me to be a very impressive blend of commerciality and humanity which is the perfect home for me to continue to build and develop my practice.

What Do You Do Away From The Office?

I garden passionately, I collect art and could shop professionally if I did not have a full time job.  I am a Francophile and try to get to Paris at least a couple of times a year as a minimum.