Alia is a director and award-winning solicitor at Duncan Lewis, who specialises in representing children in complex child protection cases and is committed to upholding the rights of neurodivergent individuals within family proceedings. In 2017 at the age of three, Alia’s son was diagnosed autistic.
Her learning journey since then in relation to autism and special needs has made her acutely aware of the knowledge gaps and discriminatory practices relating to neurodivergence in the family justice system. This has rapidly led to Alia developing an unwavering determination to effect positive change.
In 2023, Alia established the first specialist Autism and ADHD care team in the UK, offering bespoke and highly skilled representation to neurodivergent clients. Alia’s personal experience as a parent of a child with special needs makes her highly relatable to her parent clients which is the key to establishing a working relationship based on trust. It has also been the catalyst for Alia developing a formidable reputation amongst many London based Cafcass guardians as the “go to” solicitor for representing neurodivergent children.
This has placed her in high demand to accept instructions in cases involving children with extremely complex needs and in large neurodivergent sibling groups. Alia consistently receives overwhelmingly positive feedback on her unique, thorough and empathetic approach from the Cafcass guardians and parents she represents. She is widely respected amongst her peers and is regularly approached by other solicitors seeking her advice and guidance.
Alia is a member of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme and has gained a Level 2 qualification in Understanding Autism. In the Legal 500, Alia is ranked as a Next Generation Partner and Recommended Lawyer and is described as “incredibly thorough and always on top of the case.” Alia is often asked to speak at events highlighting issues around neurodivergence within the family justice system and in 2023, won the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award for Children’s Rights in recognition of her ongoing work. View Alia’s full profile here.
Jenny is an award winning family solicitor and founding partner at Beck Fitzgerald who specialises in all aspects of the law relating to children and divorce. Jenny is committed to accessible justice and the rights of the individual as well as being a successful business leader who is adept at creating and running high performance teams.
Jenny has worked tirelessly to shape the future of family justice and influence policy to make the system fairer. Jenny works with each and every client to understand and support their needs and achieve fair results and she is well known for her integrity and tenacity.
Jenny is regularly approached by the media to provide expert insight and comment, and she holds a number of positions including: Chair of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory; Current member and former chair of The Law Society’s Access to Justice Committee; Member of The Law Society’s Family Law Committee; Current co-chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group; and Private law solicitor representative on the Family Justice Council. See Jenny’s full profile here.
Caroline is a barrister with over a decade of expertise in all aspects of the law relating to children.
Caroline is deeply committed to ensuring that everyone who comes into contact with the family justice system has access to justice and is treated fairly and in accordance with their particular needs.
Caroline regularly represents neurodivergent adults and children in the Family Court and she has a wealth of experience about the steps that can be taken to improve access to justice and ensure that proceedings are fair for neurodivergent children and adults.
Caroline has an extensive knowledge of the law relating to neurodivergent children and families and she regularly provides training to other lawyers about meeting the needs of neurodivergent children and families in the family justice system. Caroline aims to provide a bespoke service which meets the individual needs of each client. View Caroline’s full profile here.
Sheena is a senior solicitor and member of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme, specialising in complex child protection proceedings. Her experience extends to representing clients in cases involving deaf adults, children and children of deaf adults (CODA). Having completed a Level 2 accredited course in Understanding Autism, Sheena has developed a particular expertise in representing neurodivergent children and adults.
Her interest in this area stems from her personal experience of supporting close family members who are neurodivergent, through periods in their lives when they have been unable to access the necessary support from the child and adult social care systems.
Sheena has first-hand experience of the detrimental effect the lack of understanding and support has on neurodivergent individuals through all stages of their lives. This in-depth insight underpins her patient, empathetic and down to earth approach, which immediately puts her clients at ease and gains their trust, whilst also effectively advocating for their needs. Sheena is proud to be a member of Duncan Lewis’ specialist Autism and ADHD team and is strongly committed to campaigning for much needed reform of the family justice system in relation to cases involving neurodivergence. View Sheena’s full profile here.
Jasmine is a senior associate solicitor who specialises in public and private cases concerning children. She is a member of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme and represents children, parents and other family members.
Jasmine has expertise in proceedings involving serious allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and emotional harm. She also regularly undertakes work in complex private children cases regarding domestic abuse and alienating behaviours. Jasmine is approachable, empathetic and provides clear, concise advice.
She is experienced in representing neurodivergent children and adults and has completed a qualification in Understanding Autism Spectrum Condition Level 2 to enhance her expertise. Jasmine works tirelessly to ensure that all of her clients are able to participate fully in the Family Justice System. Jasmine’s full profile is here
Flora is a senior associate solicitor who specialises in complex proceedings concerning children, involving neglect, sexual abuse and emotional harm, in both public and private law. Flora represents parents and children, as an member of The Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme.
She is praised by her clients for her patient and caring approach and enjoys being able to support clients through the entirety of their matter, supporting them through the preparation of their case and representing them in court.
Flora has specific expertise in working with neurodivergent children and families, having completed a qualification in Understanding Autism Spectrum Condition Level 2. Flora works relentlessly to ensure appropriate assessments are undertaken and reasonable adjustments are in place so proceedings are fair. See Flora’s full profile here.
Fauzia is a child protection solicitor and member of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme, specialising in cases involving neurodivergence and disability. She has also completed a Level 2 accredited course in Understanding Autism and is a committed member of Duncan Lewis’ specialist Autism and ADHD team.
Having supported her husband through the process of obtaining an ADHD diagnosis as an adult, Fauzia has gained a unique insight into the challenges adults face when navigating both the diagnostic process and securing the necessary support, including medication. In addition, for many years Fauzia has supported a close family member with special needs and in doing so has developed an empathetic and sensitive approach to clients in similar situations.
In Fauzia’s role as a Girlguiding leader, she has worked directly with a number of children who present with neurodivergent conditions, learning disabilities and/or physical challenges. She offers experience-led expertise to assist other leaders in creating suitable adaptations in the interest of inclusivity. Her dedication to ensuring equal opportunities for all has driven her work in campaigning for systemic change within the family justice and child protection sectors. See Fauzia’s full profile here.
