Specialist family solicitor, Victoria Gethin, has been appointed Head of Family and Divorce Law at the national law firm, Stephensons.

The firm serves clients from six offices across the North West, including a location at Middlebrook near Horwich.

Victoria – who was born and grew up in nearby Farnworth - will take over the position from Mike Devlin, who will continue as a partner within the firm’s family team whilst balancing his latest role as President of the Manchester Law Society.

She will lead the team of more than 50 specialists in offices across the North West. The practice is one of the largest in the country and has a rare depth of specialisms across private and public childcare law, divorce proceedings and all aspects of family and children law.

Victoria – who has been with Stephensons since qualifying as a solicitor in 2002 – is a noted specialist in complex and sensitive children law cases. Her extensive experience in the field includes acting for local authorities, parents and children as well as providing expert consultation to public bodies in matters relating to domestic violence.

Victoria said: “It is a real privilege to lead such a dynamic and diverse team which has a much-deserved reputation for the expertise of its solicitors.

“The modern legal sector is very different proposition for family law compared to five years ago. There is much more demand on firms to provide a wide range of specialisms; to meet the clients expectations in the services we provide – whether face-to-face or on-the-move – and to make sure that our services are available to as many as possible through flexible fee options.

“Stephensons continues to flourish in this regard and I am relishing the opportunity to head the department as we continue to provide the best possible legal service for our clients.”