Lesley Powell’s Legal Life

I qualified as a solicitor by studying part-time whilst working full-time in the Court service. Once qualified, I joined a firm in Devon in one of their many offices, undertaking a range of general litigation. It was a whole different world from working in Court: apart from anything else I was now on the other side of the bench in the courtroom!

I soon settled on family law as my speciality and developed a practice in all aspects of that area.

Having been a family lawyer for over 20 years, I now specialise in divorce finances and separation. This includes assisting clients with pre and post nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements.

Over the years I have seen a change in emphasis with clients more aware of the value of reaching agreements and exploring alternative ways of resolving matters other than Court. I have also seen a seismic shift in the way I work day-to-day: remote court hearings, remote meetings, use of online case systems by the Courts and instant communication. Emails mean that clients and other parties can contact you directly and immediately. The expectation of quick responses has transformed the profession. Gone are the days when everything was sent by ‘snail mail’ and took over a week to obtain instructions.

I joined Battens in 2015 and enjoy being part of such a dynamic and proactive team. Battens as a firm has its staff as its core asset and there is a real supportive atmosphere, that is why so many of us have been with the firm for years.

Career highlights

I have achieved some great outcomes for clients and always strive to do my best. However, sometimes the most rewarding moments are the more personal interactions of having a client saying ‘thank you’ and expressing genuine appreciation for the work that has been done.

Women and men seek my advice often when at a low point in their lives, feeling as though their world has been turned upside down and they just cannot see a way forward. Helping them through the process is satisfying and all the more so when, once the final order has been made and my work is done, sometimes after months or years of being involved, a client takes the time to pick up a pen, write a card and send it to me. That is definitely a highlight as clients are not just clients or cases but individuals, and it is nice to be appreciated.

What do I love about my job?

Helping people navigate one of the most stressful and emotional times of their lives. Seeing someone who has only been defined as a spouse for the majority of their life being able to move forward and redefine themselves is incredibly rewarding.

And, of course, being part of a fantastic team with a great bunch of people!