Family
& Childcare

Sarah is the head of the Family and Childcare department and is a director of the company.

Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and has extensive experience in Family Law. She joined Williamsons in 2001. Her seniority and drive ensures that all clients receive first rate customer care as well as the right legal advice.

Sarah prides herself on the significant effort she puts into resolving cases and she is equally keen to ensure her clients get value for money. The volume of thank you cards, flowers and gifts that Sarah and her secretary receive from clients is a reflection of the dedication she affords to her clients.

In addition, Sarah is mentioned in The Legal 500 guide for her work with high-value family matters.

A past President of the Hull Law Society, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family. Her hobbies are many and varied. Sarah was the Under Sheriff for Hull and East Riding between 2014 – 2020.

Paul is one of the region’s most senior family and divorce lawyers and a significant and valued member of the Williamsons Family Law department.

He has a wealth of experience in dealing with the problems that arise when a relationship breaks down including those concerning property and financial issues, as well as the arrangements for the children.

Paul always appreciates the emotional and financial value of a negotiated settlement but also has the knowledge and skills to conduct contested Court proceedings should they be unavoidable.

He also has many years’ experience in acting for parents whose children have become the subject of involvement by Social Workers and Local Authorities before, during and after Court proceedings.

Paul has worked in Hull and East Yorkshire since he qualified as a solicitor. In between spending time with his family, he is an enthusiastic follower of most sports.

Originally from Lancashire, Rebecca Lovel came to Hull to study Law. She has worked for Williamsons since 2010 specialising in Children and Family Law but has had experience in all areas of family law for seven years prior to joining the firm.

A member of the Law Society Children’s Panel, her areas of expertise are children issues, public law care proceedings, separation and divorce.

In addition, Rebecca is the past secretary of the York Family Mediation Service and is on the Management Committee of Williamsons.

In her spare time Rebecca enjoys time spent with her family the most.

Originally from Manchester, Judith Knight moved to Hull in 1981 as a newly qualified solicitor. She gained experience in all areas of family law before specialising in childcare proceedings from the late 1980s.

A member of the Law Society’s Children Panel since November 1990, her areas of expertise are representing children, parents or other family members in public law care proceedings and in private law proceedings with social worker involvement.

Judith was a founder member of the first family conciliation and mediation service in Hull, set up to help parents resolve disputes about their children. She served on its management committee for many years.

In her spare time, Judith enjoys gardening, choral singing, improving her Spanish language skills and spending time with family and friends.

Blue qualified as a solicitor in 2021 and prides himself on offering clear, sensible and honest advice to all his clients; adopting pragmatic, non-confrontational solutions to family law cases.

Blue has a particular expertise in separation and financial matters, whether relating to the breakdown of a marriage, or a cohabiting relationship.

Blue is also able to assist with child arrangement orders, claims for financial provision for children, pre and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, and occupation orders.

Blue is empathetic and understanding and strives to achieve the best result for his clients at reasonable cost.

Katy originates from Hull and studied law at the local university.  She undertook her Legal Practice Course part time through CLT in Manchester and is currently studying for her professional skills course which will be taken in Leeds.

She has worked in Law for over 10 years, however more recently returned to practice having had a 5 year career break to raise her family.  During this time she worked as a secretary for a financial adviser so returns to practice with a wealth of knowledge regarding the financial sector.

Katy undertakes all areas of family work and previously worked with other local professionals and members of the judiciary in setting up the running of the Walker Street Contact Centre (Now Bridge Child Contact Centre).

In her spare time Katy enjoys spending time with her daughter and regularly attends St Mary’s Church in Cottingham.

Paul works as Paralegal as part of the Family & Childcare team.

Paul enjoys spending time with his family and supports local sport and theatre.

Kayleigh is a Solicitor and qualified in October 2023 having completed her LPC with the University of Law

Kayleigh  opted to undertake her degree with the Open University initially as this allowed her to continue working in the legal sector, where she worked as a Paralegal at the time. Kayleigh has worked within the legal sector since leaving school and has over 15 years’ experience working in the legal sector.

Kayleigh moved to Williamsons in May 2022 having worked at another firm within the city for a number of years. Prior to this she has also gained experience working for a Local Authority.

Kayleigh undertakes all areas of family work such as Domestic Abuse, Public Law Proceedings and Private Children Law Proceedings.

Kayleigh prides herself on being approachable to client’s and also providing with reassurance in what are difficult times.

Outside of work Kayleigh enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.

Dan is currently undertaking the Solicitor Higher Apprenticeship and, as of September 2022, has completed his Honours degree in Law with Northumbria University. Dan is embarking on the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQEs) and is due to qualify as a solicitor in the Summer of 2024.

Dan joined Williamsons’ family department in January 2022 and has been undertaking an array of matters ranging from child arrangements issues, domestic abuse and matrimonial finance cases. Prior to this, Dan had undertaken a period of training at a previous firm of solicitors where he also practiced family law. Dan enjoys representing clients in Court proceedings to ensure their position is presented justly and clearly to the Court.

Dan prides himself on being approachable, empathetic and dedicated to ensuring his clients cases progress as smoothly as possible.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys travelling, good coffee and cooking a wide variety of cuisines

Originating from the East Riding, Eleanor joined Williamsons as a paralegal in 2020 after graduating from the University of Leeds in 2019.

Having undertaken the Legal Practice Course (LPC), she completed her training contact with the firm and qualified as a Solicitor in May 2024.

By completing her LPC on a part-time basis whilst continuing in her role at Williamsons, Eleanor has gained a wealth of practical knowledge and experience whilst working throughout the firm during her training contract.

Since joining the family department in September 2023, Eleanor has undertaken and assisted with a variety of cases, including private children issues, divorce and finance, and domestic abuse.

Eleanor’s friendly approachable nature means that she is able to provide resolutions to sensitive matters with kindness and empathy.

In her spare time, Eleanor enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family, and watching rugby league.