About Vanessa Friend
Vanessa is a family law solicitor and the Head of the Family Law team. She aims to reach a negotiated outcome where possible, but also recognises the importance of strategic litigation if the circumstances require it. She has been praised by clients for her calm and considerate approach to their matter whilst achieving their goals.
As a solicitor, Vanessa can support her clients in direct negotiations, issuing a court application or using alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration. She also acts as a mediator for couples.
Vanessa qualified in 2009 and has practised exclusively family law. She joined Hodge Jones & Allen in 2019 from Hunters, a leading central London firm, where she gained experience in HNW clients, trusts and landed estates. In 2017 Vanessa won a City Wealth award for her work in this area. She is listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw. Vanessa regularly acts for those in the media industry and sports professionals. She also has a strong client base amongst fellow professionals, including other lawyers. Increasingly she acts for clients based outside of England and Wales.
As a family law solicitor and mediator, Vanessa encourages clients to carefully consider the best approach to their matter. Her particular experience includes:
- Pre-marital agreements for couples who expect to inherit or establish future wealth to those with assets in excess of £70 million.
- Leave to remove children matters. She has represented many parents on their successful applications to relocate permanently to another country with their children, including China, Germany and Australia.
- Divorce and the related financial issues including pension sharing.
- Separation agreements and cohabitation agreements to regulate the financial and living arrangements between couples.
- Private law children matters such as contact arrangements and decision regarding a child’s care.
- Schedule 1 applications for financial provision for children of unmarried parents.
"Kind, considerate, clever and determined. Vanessa Friend is a bit like a swan - calm and serene outwardly, working furiously hard under water." - Legal 500 2025
“An excellent negotiator with good judgement” - Legal 500 2023
“Vanessa Friend is the stand out partner in the team. She is exceptionally bright and knowledgeable. She secures fantastic results for her client. She is a very good negotiator and very personable. Her mediation skills assist with seeing the greater picture and arriving at fair settlements” - Legal 500 2022.
“Provides excellent client care and can handle the intricate preparation needed” - Legal 500 2021
Notable Cases
- K –v- Y [2023] EWFC 262 (B) – acting for the applicant mother in respect of living arrangements in a complex children’s matter.
Client Comments
- Mediation
“Vanessa showed very impressive mediation skills under difficult conditions. Eminently professional and pleasant to boot. Recommended.”“Thank you for your mediation services. Happy to comment that I found your approach very professional.”“My husband and I are getting divorced and needed help to agree the financial settlement. Relations and communications between us had become very difficult and strained so we attended mediation with Vanessa Friend. Always calm, clear and professional, Vanessa helped us to navigate and overcome the tensions between us and we were eventually able to reach agreement. Vanessa made what felt like an impossible situation feel manageable and I’m very grateful to her. Would highly recommend her services.”
“Thanks once again for your great help. We were able to find some workable middle ground. On behalf of my child and myself, we are so grateful to you.”
- Separation agreement
“Vanessa has been extremely helpful and explained every step of the process. It was a pleasure working with her.““You’ve been amazing Vanessa. I have already recommended you to two other friends going through the same!”
- Financial proceedings on divorce
“I would hand on heart recommend Vanessa to anyone who is looking for a solicitor to deal with family matters. Her professionalism, knowledge of law and negotiating skills are exceptional. Vanessa’s attention to detail far outweighs any solicitor I have ever encountered”
- Leave to remove
“Thank you so much for your great support and everything you did for me. I am so grateful. I feel a bit sad about the fact that you won’t be around on my daily basis. Thank you again “
- Prenuptial agreement
“Great working with you on this.”“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you. You are competent and highly efficient.”
- “Throughout the process, she was truly impartial, carefully considering all perspectives involved without showing any bias. Her patience was remarkable; she took the time to listen to every detail, ensuring that everyone felt heard and understood.”
- Vanessa Friend helped me through the most difficult chapter of my life. She was compassionate and treated me with respect. Thank you Vanessa.
- Vanessa was excellent at providing clear and timely advice on delicate issues. Would definitely recommend.
- My Lawyer Vanessa Friend was amazing. She was sensitive to my legal, psychological and financial needs and guided me with professional expertise, and wisdom tailored to my specific needs.
Client instructing on a divorce with assets based in three countries.
Memberships & Appointments
- Resolution
- Member of mediation and collaborative pods in London
Career & Personal Interests
Career
- Partner at Hodge Jones Allen – 2024 to date
- Team Leader Partner at Stowe Family Law – 2022 – 2024
- Partner at Hodge Jones Allen – 2019 – 2022
- Associate and Senior Associate at Hunters, Lincoln’s Inn – 2015 – 2019
- Associate at May, May & Merrimans, Gray’s Inn – 2012 -2015
- Trainee and Solicitor at Silverman Sherliker – 2007 – 2012
Education
- College of Law, London – Post Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course (commendation and distinction)
- University of Westminster – Broadcast Journalism MA (Hons)
- University of Bristol – Politics and Philosophy BA (Hons)
Personal Interests
Vanessa enjoys art galleries and theatre.
Opinion
