Annie qualified as a Solicitor in 2009. Before joining NLS, she practiced all aspects of Family Law but developed a particular passion for Children Law, both private and public law matters, obtaining membership to the Law Society Accredited Child Panel in 2015 as a mark of her specialism.
At the National Legal Service, Annie represents parents and children either directly or through their court appointed Guardian. This is when faced by litigation from Local Authorities concerning allegations relating to child protection and safeguarding. The main aim is to work toward positive change and outcomes where families can stay together, wherever possible.
Annie has a flair for advocacy and conducts the majority of her own having obtained Higher Rights of Audience in 2020. This provides consistency for her clients and continuity of service.
Some of her cases have international elements to them, e.g. cross-jurisdictional applications and abduction. Annie is also experienced with cases concerning adoption, allegations of emotional and physical harm, non-accidental injury, domestic violence, chronic neglect, drug and alcohol abuse and sexual abuse. Many of her clients are highly vulnerable with emotional, mental health and learning difficulties. She has also represented asylum seekers and suspected victims of human trafficking. Annie has an experience of representing those from a diverse range of socio – economic and multi- cultural backgrounds; she is regarded for picking up cases which require urgent representation, often with little notice and running with them quickly to mobilise robust legal representation in some of the most stressful and distressing circumstances for clients. She can think on her feet in a crisis.
Practice area & years of experience
Qualified as a Solicitor in 2009
Education & Professional Memberships
Member of Sylvan’s Debating Club
Member of Honourable Society of Inner Temple
Member of the Bar Council
Member of the Law Society
Member of the Association of Lawyers for Children
Awards & Citations
- Accredited to the Law Society’s Children Panel in 2015
- Became a Solicitor-Advocate after obtaining Higher Rights of Audience ( Civil) in 2019
- Became a Member of the Bar and the Honourable Society of Inner Temple in 2020
Notable Cases
LA v DG & Ors [2013] EWHC 734 (Fam) (01 February 2013)
ER (Placement Order) [2014] EWFC B146 (22 July 2014)
What were you doing and where at before you arrived at National Legal Service
Prior to entering the legal profession, Annie did her Grade 8 in Singing with the Royal Academy of Music before heading to Lancaster University to read Music.
Annie is a Bachelor of Music ( Hons) having studied Opera and the Violin at University, later going on to sing with the Big Band as a Jazz singer.
After graduating she came to London to read Law and hasn’t looked back since!
Arriving on the London scene, she developed a passion for running events on the side in the City of London for Charities such as The Salvation Army,, Motor Neurones Disease, Many Hopes, Hope HIV and Medair for disaster relief following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010.
She is now a Member of the Bar and an active Debater with one of London’s oldest debating clubs,. Sylvans
Outside of work, Annie is still big into Music but also enjoys an active lifestyle with a passion for health, fitness and travelling with her young family.
Annie has a real passion for training and teaching the next generation of Care lawyers which is important to her. Annie loves to share her experience both personally and professionally for how to carve out a successful and rewarding career in this field so others can make a difference to people’s lives. Annie hopes to continue to develop her practice here in London and to train new lawyers to be confident in conducting their own advocacy.
