Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors Announces the Appointment of Vanessa Friend as Head of Family Law

HJA is pleased to announce the appointment of Vanessa Friend as the new Head of its Family Law department. Vanessa, a highly accomplished family law solicitor, brings over 15 years of experience and a strong reputation for her expertise and dedication to client service.

Vanessa first joined Hodge Jones & Allen in 2019, following her tenure at Hunters, a leading central London firm, where she gained significant experience working with high-net-worth clients, trusts, and landed estates. Since qualifying in 2009, Vanessa has practised exclusively in family law and has developed a distinguished career characterised by her strategic approach and commitment to achieving favourable outcomes for her clients.

Vanessa’s experience encompasses all areas of family law with a particular focus on the financial issues arising from relationship breakdown, pre-marital agreements, and leave-to-remove children’s cases. Vanessa is listed in the Legal 500 (2023) and is regarded as an “excellent negotiator”. Vanessa is also a Resolution-trained mediator, which is increasingly important in family law.

Vanessa’s career is marked by numerous notable achievements, including winning a City Wealth award in 2017 for her outstanding work in family law with high-net-worth clients. Her experience extends to working with a diverse range of clients, including those in the media and sports industries, fellow legal professionals, and international clients based outside of England and Wales. She is a member of Resolution and is actively involved in mediation and collaborative pods in London.

“We are confident that Vanessa’s proven leadership skills and deep expertise in family law will drive the Family Law services to new heights,” said Patrick Allen, Senior Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen. “Her dedication to delivering exceptional service and achieving the best outcomes for our clients is unparalleled, and we look forward to her continued success and leadership within the firm.”

Vanessa Friend, said: “I am delighted to be appointed as a Head of the Family Law team. The team has a great reputation for their dedication to supporting clients and I look forward to working with my team with strong values at the core of their work.”

Please join us in congratulating Vanessa Friend on her new role as Head of Family Law.