Karen O’Donoghue, experienced family law specialist at Porter Dodson Solicitors and Advisors, has recently moved to work full time at the Firms’ office in Sherborne.

Having previously been based in Dorchester, Karen spent her time between both offices and already has an excellent connection and involvement with clients in the Sherborne area. Karen comments, ‘There is a high demand for family lawyers across Somerset & Dorset. The move will enable us to further promote Collaborative Family Law and offer a wider range of family law services to the town and surrounding areas’.

Karen qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and has specialised in family law since qualification. In February she will become a fully trained collaborative family practitioner. Karen comments ‘The family team at Porter Dodson are actively involved in the collaborative approach to resolving family disputes. Collaborative law helps couples who are splitting up to negotiate agreements in a series of 4-way meetings leading to solutions which are tailored to each individual situation. We realise the collaborative approach may not suit everyone but for many couples it is more cost efficient and the process is less traumatic, particularly without the threat of court!’

Karen’s experience enables her to advise clients in all areas of family breakdown, from matters relating to finance, pensions, the division of assets and particularly the welfare of children. She is a dedicated member of Resolution, an organisation that strives to resolve matrimonial and family matters in a non-confrontational way.

Richard Baker, Partner and head of the family team at Porter Dodson comments, ‘we have one of the largest family law departments in the South West and Karen’s move to Sherborne will further strengthen the team. We are very pleased to be able to offer our full range of services to clients throughout our 5 offices in Somerset and Dorset’.