Helen Shaw
Helen Shaw is an experienced Associate Solicitor at Smalleys, specialising in Family Law with over 31 years of dedicated service in the field. Helen’s expertise spans a wide range of private family law matters, including divorce, separation, children’s issues, financial settlements, cohabitation, and prenuptial agreements. Her commitment to helping clients navigate the complexities of family relationships, whether resolving disputes or planning for the future, has been the cornerstone of her long and successful career.
Helen works closely with her assistant, Paralegal Suzanne Boot, to provide comprehensive support to clients during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Motivated by a desire to help people find solutions to their problems, Helen is passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients while striving to minimise conflict. She believes in staying child-focused whenever children are involved, ensuring their needs and welfare are always prioritised in her advice and approach.
A member of Resolution, Helen adheres to a code of practice that promotes constructive and non-confrontational resolution of family disputes. Her commitment to working collaboratively sets her apart and helps her clients feel supported throughout the legal process. Additionally, Helen brings a unique perspective to her work as a part-time counsellor, currently studying for an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy, which further enriches her understanding of the emotional impact of family breakdown.
Helen finds the most rewarding aspect of her role is guiding clients through what is often the most difficult time of their lives and seeing a positive change for them and their children by the end of the case. Her vast experience has shown her how stressful relationship breakdowns can be, affecting not just the individuals involved but also their children and wider family members. Helen’s compassionate, solution-focused approach helps clients navigate these challenges with confidence.
Helen’s career has been marked by notable achievements, including a successful financial order case in which she proved that the opposing party had concealed an interest in another property, securing a favourable outcome for her client. Beyond such highlights, she finds everyday satisfaction in seeing clients leave her office in a far better situation and mindset than when they first came to her.
Active in her professional community, Helen has previously served as a regional press officer for Resolution, where she engaged in media interviews, including a memorable debate with a Fathers for Justice campaigner.
Outside of her professional life, Helen enjoys singing and has been part of several a cappella groups and quartets. She is also an avid walker, with a passion for hillwalking in diverse locations from Scotland to Morocco.
Helen Shaw’s empathetic, knowledgeable, and non-confrontational approach to family law makes her a trusted and highly respected solicitor at Smalleys, dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for her clients while supporting them through life’s most challenging transitions.
