AT Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, we fully understand that Family Law disputes can be upsetting, emotional and/or traumatic experiences for the people involved.

Whether the dispute is over divorce, finances, cohabitation, separation or custody of children, these types of cases are life-changing for families, and our team of Family Law experts are here to help you every step of the way and ensure things are handled calmly, professionally and sensitively.

Our aim through this monthly column in your Hexham Courant is to share practical legal advice - using easy-to-understand, jargon free, plain English - on matters important to people within our communities, and bust some of the common myths around Family Law. But first, let me take this opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Jo Grey and I’m a Senior Associate Solicitor at Cartmell Shepherd, based out of the company’s Haltwhistle office, and I have more than 15 years of experience specialising in Family Law.

A proud Scouser, my work as a manager for Boots brought me to the North East 25 years ago.

As I passed through the area during my commutes between Newcastle and Liverpool, I often wished I could call the beautiful Tyne Valley my home.

As luck would have it, an opportunity too good to pass up came our way and my husband Andrew and I were both in agreement that it was the perfect place to start and raise a family. We’ve now called the Tyne Valley our home for nearly 25 years, and have lived in Newbrough for the past 15.

We couldn’t have imagined a better place than the Tyne Valley to bring up our two children Beck and George (and our dogs Rosie, Ebony and Daisy), and we’ve been blessed by living in communities which have welcomed us with open arms and brought us all so much happiness, joy and friendship and memories we will cherish forever.

It was while I was expecting Beck that I reassessed my career and retrained as a solicitor, juggling my university studies with raising a family and helping my husband with his work.

I’ve always been interested in law and justice, particularly how vulnerable people can gain access to it, so I took a risk, left my job with Boots and carried on my legal training with the UK’s first legal charity helping clients with life limiting and terminal illnesses. That was when I decided my heart was in Family Law and helping families in crisis.

When I was asked to join Cartmell Shepherd’s growing Family Law team, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. From day one, the company has provided me with amazing support.

I feel valued and I’m afforded the freedom to develop my Family Law practice along really innovative lines including incorporating aspects of psychotherapeutic training which I’m undertaking outside of work.

It was obvious to me just how much Cartmell Shepherd cares for, nurtures and values all of their staff and I’ve found it refreshing to see a lead from the top on the importance of looking after your mental and physical health.

The company is passionate about helping the local communities it serves, and I have recently joined the Haltwhistle Partnership and Haltwhistle Chamber of Trade.

Previously I’ve been a governor at Hexham Middle School and Queen Elizabeth High School, edited my local paper in Newbrough and served on the committee of Newbrough Town Hall.

I’m not known for my ability to sit still for very long. Being able to play a part in the community is an aspect of my job I love – my clients are more often than not dealing with difficult and upsetting matters so it’s important they know who I am and they can trust me, that I understand their issues and we will work together to get the best outcome for them.

I’m excited to develop our Family Law offering to widen the services we provide for local people and I hope to get to know many of you along the way.

By Jo Grey, Senior Associate Solicitor at Cartmel Shepherd Solicitors, based at the Haltwhistle office. Jo Grey can be contacted at joanne.grey@cartmells.co.uk.