Law firm Russell-Cooke has welcomed Rachel Donald as partner in the family and children team.
Rachel specialises in all aspects of family law, with a particular emphasis on high value financial disputes arising from relationship breakdowns. She is an acclaimed expert in prenuptial and cohabitation agreements with particular experience assisting international families as part of their wealth protection. She is also highly experienced in representing clients where there are allegations of domestic abuse, especially where the allegations impact their financial or parenting arrangements. She represents parents in complex disputes to resolve arrangements for children, including issues relating to their education or permission to relocate from their jurisdiction. Rachel is a collaboratively trained lawyer and is committed to finding solutions for clients outside of the court process where possible.
Rachel has been ranked by the key legal directories for almost a decade with Chambers describing her as “a real problem solver” who is “wonderful at getting solutions for her clients”, and Legal 500 as “exceptionally approachable” with “sharp case analysis and good ability to think outside the box”.
Rachel has over 15 years’ experience in family law, having practised at several leading international law firms. She is a member of Resolution and the Surrey Collaborative Law Pod and in 2022 established the Surrey, Hampshire and Southwest London Prenuptial Agreements Pod.
Rachel’s appointment follows the arrival of partner Katie Longmate to the family and children team in January 2024, and brings the number of partners in the team to ten.
We are very pleased to welcome Rachel to the team. In her fifteen plus years of experience she has helped clients with highly complex financial and family arrangements navigate some of the most challenging aspects of relationship breakdown and disputes. Her knowledge of UK and international family law underpins a sensitive and empathetic approach to finding the right solution to meet the unique needs of the client. It is an approach we very much share, and we are thrilled to have her on the team."
I am very pleased to be joining Russell-Cooke’s highly respected team of family and children law specialists. The family law regime is constantly changing. We have seen it already this year in the Amendments to the Family Procedure Rules encouraging families to embrace non-court dispute resolution. Constant evolution of this kind calls for advisors to continually reappraise the most suitable means that clients have at their disposal to prevent or resolve potential disputes between family members, in a way that best protects their interests and that of their loved ones. The outstanding track record of my new colleagues in providing this standard of advice speaks for itself, and is something I very much look forward to contributing to as a member of the team.”
Rachel’s arrival brings the number of Russell-Cooke partners to 64.
This has been featured in Wealth Briefing, eprivateclient and Today's Family Lawyer.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our family and children solicitors by email, by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7520 or complete our enquiry form.
