The national law firm, Stephensons, has appointed a new solicitor in its family law department as the firm continues to experience growing demand for its specialist family law services.
Rachel Benett joins Stephensons’ Manchester office as an associate solicitor and specialises in the law relating to children, particularly representing parents and other family members in care proceedings and other cases initiated by social services due to concerns about a child’s safety and welfare.
Previously at the London law firm, Bindmans LLP, Rachel was awarded the Association of Lawyers for Children’s Outstanding Newcomer Award in 2015 and was also shortlisted for the Jordan Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year Award in 2016. Rachel is a member of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme and a trustee of Re-Frame, an organisation seeking charitable status which supports parents and families to engage with, and bring change within, the child protection system. She also brings with her substantial experience in complex cases, including where there are allegations of non-accidental injury, fabricated and induced illness, sexual abuse, radicalisation and extremism, domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse.
Rachel has a particular interest in cases with an international element. She has advised and represented parents accused of abducting their children into and out of the jurisdiction, those whose children have been abducted to or unlawfully retained in another country, those seeking to prevent the removal of their children, and those seeking to relocate with their children.
According to Legal 500 2020, Rachel has ‘a fantastic ability to relate to clients who are often dealing with stressful and life changing events. She is able to distil complex legal issues for the benefit of her clients’.
Commenting on the appointment, Victoria Gethin, partner and head of the family department at Stephensons, said: “Rachel is a superb and highly experienced lawyer who will make a fantastic addition to the family team here at Stephensons. As a firm we strive to hire the very best legal talent and Rachel is testament to that. I’m delighted to welcome her to the firm.”