Karen Jeary

I am a Legal Director based in Brighton and the South East coast.

I am a qualified Collaborative Lawyer, a member of Resolution, a Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer and listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw.

As a family law specialist, I advise on all areas of family law including divorce and complex financial matters often involving high and medium net worth assets, complex company structures and Trusts. I have specific expertise in pre/post nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, in matters where non-disclosure is an issue, dissipation of assets, pre/post acquired wealth and with vulnerable parties requiring the appointment of a Litigation Friend.

I have acted on a number of longstanding children matters including cases with a public law crossover where a Children’s Guardian was appointed, in matters where parental alienation has been found and in matters where an Order was made providing for a ‘bar’ to further Court applications being made. In addition, I have a specific interest in internal and external child relocation cases having completed a Master’s Dissertation on the area of law.

As a member of Resolution and a qualified Collaborative Lawyer, I am committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes and have built a reputation for providing clear, pragmatic advice for being calmly confident, reassuring and for being professional and knowledgeable. Building positive client lawyer relationships is important to me.

Before pursuing a career in law, I worked in the public sector gaining extensive knowledge and experience in compliance, drafting policy papers, research, analysis and business strategy.

What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?

Family law overlaps with a number of areas of law, and I especially appreciate being able to collaborate with colleagues across multiple practice areas which I have found enables me to deliver more strategic and holistic advice to clients.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

There are many rewarding aspects to practising family law, the most gratifying for me has to be the privilege of assisting client’s navigate a pathway through what is often a painful, stressful and challenging time to a good and positive outcome.

What inspired you to get into law?

I wanted to work in an area of law where I could make a genuine positive difference to client’s lives. Family law is an extremely personal area of law and being able to guide client’s through sometimes challenging times and achieving the best outcome for them is hugely rewarding.

What do you do away from the office?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and dog, walking, cooking and practising yoga.

Publications

I frequently comment in the national press as a family law expect on high profile relationship breakdowns and have published articles in The Law Society Gazette, Platinum Business Magazine, Sussex Business Times, Absolutely Sussex Magazine and appeared on BBC Radio Sussex.

Testimonials

"I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me and my family, I will never forget what you and your team have given us all." - Anonymous, December 2025

"I came away from my appointment feeling positive and confident that what I needed to do was not as scary as I thought. I had all my questions answered. I felt that I was listened to with empathy understanding and logic and most of all professionalism and honesty which is exactly what I was looking for so thank you . I have the tools I need to move forward.” - Anonymous, February 2025

“I cannot thank Karen for all her amazing work and advice. Always so nice to know that you have a solicitor you can trust when going through an extremely difficult time. Would recommend her to anyone.” - Rob, client, March 2022

“I am very grateful to Karen Jeary for all her advice and guidance through a difficult divorce process. She was calmly confident and reassuring and always explained everything fully. I would have no hesitation in recommending her.” - AD, July 2021