A Bolton family law firm is celebrating its second birthday by welcoming a new specialist to boost staff numbers.

VM Family Law Ltd was set up during lockdown by well-known family law solicitor Victoria Melling after a lengthy career with Stephensons Solicitors LLP where she was a partner.

Victoria’s firm in Chorley New Road began just with her but quickly increased to a small number of staff which has now grown to a team of four solicitors, two paralegals and a legal secretary.

All the solicitors specialise exclusively in family law – divorce, financial settlements, arrangements for children following separation and protection from domestic abuse.

They have also all known each other for nearly 20 years and the latest addition is solicitor Mandy Rimmer whose own experience in family law goes back more than 30 years.

Mandy has spent almost all her legal career at Stephensons. As a partner managing the Divorce and Financial Settlement team, she frequently provided advice and representation in high-value divorces, some with cross-jurisdictional issues as well as complex child arrangement conflicts.

Her contribution to the department saw it rise in the Legal 500 rankings to become a recognised North-West Tier 1 family team with an outstanding reputation amongst clients, other professionals and the judiciary.

Commented Mandy: “I know from personal experience that at VM Family Law we have much in common in how we approach the law and the way in which we treat our clients.

“Everyone in this team has a strong work ethic and a commitment to achieving the best outcome.”

The move also reunites Mandy with another newcomer Vicky Jolley, a family paralegal. Vicky worked at Stephensons for 29 years and was Mandy’s right hand woman for the last 15 years.

Added Victoria Melling: “We are a very tight-knit team who look after each other as well as our clients. I feel very proud of the calibre of the team that I have been able to attract.

“There is definitely a need for high-quality specialist family law advice from a niche firm of solicitors which shows in the number of inquiries and the people we are now able to help.

“There is no reason why this team will not continue to grow given the great start so far in such a short period of time.”