Biography
I lead the Irwin Mitchell's family law team in Bristol and have an extensive client base across the UK, most notably in London.
I have over 30 years' experience as a family law specialist with extensive experience in financial and children issues arising out of separation. I have particular expertise in dealing with business and trust interests. I was involved in the leading case of Hart v Hart, acting for the wife as she went through her separation. I'm also collaboratively trained and have built up a substantial practice in this alternative way to resolve the issues faced on separation.
Testimonials
"Nicola Walker – very, very experienced. Has the ability to accurately predict the outcome of cases from the very start. A power of strength for her clients." - Legal 500, 2023
"Nicola Walker is very experienced, measured and calm. She is someone that is good at dealing with very complex cases." - Chambers & Partners, 2023
"Nicola Walker is hugely experienced, very shrewd but also very approachable in what she does." "She is extremely wise and gives very good advice to her clients. No case is too complex for her and she has the knack of calling cases correctly." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - Band 2)
"Nicola Walker is hugely experienced, extremely shrewd and leads her team brilliantly. Erin Sawyer is exceptionally industrious and determined in her pursuit of the best possible outcomes for her clients." - Legal 500 2022 (Leading Individual)
Nicola is "an excellent lawyer. She inspired confidence throughout the process and was clear and precise." - Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - Band 2)
"Nicola Walker is an extremely wise person and an excellent lawyer. She gives realistic advice and provides robust representation. She is calm under fire [and] is brilliant at reassuring and supporting her clients." - Legal 500, 2021 (Leading Individual)
"Nicola Walker at Irwin Mitchell has been exceptional in her assistance to me. Her knowledge, understanding and willingness to help allowed me to achieve exactly what I had hoped for when I first approached her. I must also acknowledge her extraordinary patience through the several delays and changes of mind I put her through! Thank you, Nicola, I am extremely grateful, and more than happy to recommend you without the slightest hesitation!" - 5* Trustpilot review
"Nicola Walker is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is the consummate professional, pragmatic, approachable and has a rare quality of being able to make the complexities of law simple and understandable and engenders trust from the very first interaction. Importantly, she also has a knack of introducing a bit of humour at exactly the right time in what is a stressful process to diffuse the inevitable tension along the way. First class and I would recommend her highly to anyone" - 5* Trustpilot review
"Absolutely no hesitation in recommending Nicola. Very supportive yet always professional and consistent. I valued her intelligence, strategic thinking, integrity, clear focus, judgement and obvious knowledge/experience in the field. She kept me and the matter on track, advising me every step of the way, to achieve a decent and timely settlement, and was suitably robust when necessary. Although the circumstances and negotiations were difficult, I was always pleased to work with her and had confidence throughout that engaging her would be a very worthwhile investment." - 5* Trustpilot review
"[Nicola] provided sanguine, measured advice as always" - 5* Trustpilot review
"Excellent, compassionate service carried out by Nicola Walker and her team" - 5* Trustpilot review
"She is a pleasure to work with because she takes a realistic approach but wants the best possible outcome for her client." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"Simply brilliant" - Legal 500, 2018/19
"Nice client-handling skills", and also point out her "very good breadth of knowledge." - Chambers & Partners, 2019
Praised for her "sensible and straightforward" manner; "She has a calm and unflappable presence, and is always available. Clients find her really reassuring and a constant support. - Chambers & Partners 2017
What inspired you to get into law?
I became a lawyer because I was interested in using my academic skills in a practical way. I moved into family law because I enjoy the challenge of enabling people to deal with the difficulties of separation.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
It's rewarding to advise clients from the early difficult days of separation to a successful conclusion.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
I enjoy being part of a substantial national team with all the support and resources that this brings. I also enjoy the local aspects of being in Bristol. We have the best of both worlds, being local but also having that national backing.
What do you do away from the office?
Away from the office I enjoy time with my family and friends. I have two adult sons who keep returning home to live with me!
I keep calm and fit by teaching and practicing yoga.
