Melanie Hamer

Melanie was one of the original two partners in the firm in 1996 having qualified as a Solicitor in 1989 with Eversheds, Cardiff. She is a leader in her field in Chambers where the firm is in the top band and she has considerable experience of big money divorces.

Melanie has been a member of the Law Society’s Childrens Panel since 1996, enabling her to represent children. She was one of the first two solicitors in Wales to gain entry to the Solicitors Family Law Association ( Resolution ) specialist panel.

Melanie is regarded by her peers as one of the leading family law solicitors in South Wales. She is legal adviser to Foster Care Group Wales; an associate of the Lady Taverners; an active member of the local business community.

She is regularly interviewed on the radio about topical family law matters.

Melanie is one of the organisers of South Wales Ladies Business Club (www.southwalesladiesbusinessclub.co.uk) and also a member of the Institute of Directors; Cardiff Business Club and the Lady Taverners.

Thea Hughes

After beginning her legal career in Eversheds, Cardiff, Thea moved to head the family department of a branch office of Hugh James, before joining the firm as an Associate in 1997. She then became a Partner in 1998.

Thea is considered by her peers to be one of the best family lawyers in South Wales. Thea is able to advise upon the breakdown of a relationship, whether the parties are married or unmarried, and provides a well-balanced viewpoint to achieve a fair outcome.

Thea deals with all aspects of family law and is on the Law Society Family Law Panel. She specialises in the financial issues arising upon separation/divorce and has a wide breadth of knowledge and experience in this area. She also deals with high net worth cases, including cases involving lottery winners.

Thea is a collaborative lawyer and is on the management committee of Family Mediation Cardiff. Thea is also a member of Resolution.

Thea regularly contributes to topical news stories on the radio and tv.

Rhian Howells

Rhian joined the firm in 2006 as a Partner. Rhian qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and has been a member of the Advanced Family Law Panel since 2002. She is also a member of Resolution.

Prior to joining the firm, Rhian was a partner and head of the Family Law Department in David & Snape. Rhian is an Accredited Mediator and deals with all aspects of Family Law.

Rhian has many years' experience in dealing with all family law matters including divorce, separation, financial matters, cohabitation disputes and children issues.

Rhian is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is a board member of Women in Management South Wales and a member of the Vale Women's Business Network.

Dianne Evans

Dianne joined the firm in May 2003. She is one of Cardiff's most experienced wills and probate practitioners. Dianne previously worked with two of the firm's partners at Eversheds where Dianne was head of the Probate Department.

She is a founder member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.

Kate Edwards

Kate is an Associate in the firm. She qualified in April 2006 and since then has specialised in family law. Her training was primarily in family and social welfare law.

Kate has strong links with several local Women’s Aid charities; is Chair of Pontypridd Women’s Aid; has links with the Women’s Safety Unit and the Dyn Project. She supports victims of domestic abuse and regularly lectures on the subject at a national level.

She also deals with other family law matters undertaking contact disputes and divorce cases.

Kate is a keen and enthusiastic fund raiser for charity.

Lorraine Watts

Lorraine joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in 2005 and qualified as an Assistant Solicitor in the family law team in 2007. Lorraine specialises in all aspects of family law.

She graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a law and history degree and then travelled around South East Asia and Australia on her year out. She attended law school at the College of Law in Guildford, Surrey.

Lorraine is a member of Resolution.

Elizabeth Williams

Elizabeth joined Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice in 2005 as a trainee solicitor and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. She specialises in all areas of family law, including public law proceedings.

Elizabeth graduated from Exeter University in 2004 after reading law. She then attended the University of the West of England to undertake the Legal Practice Course, which she completed in 2005 and gained a merit in family law.

Elizabeth is a fluent Welsh speaker and is happy to liaise with clients in Welsh if that is preferred. She is regularly invited to talk on welsh radio on various topics.

Elizabeth is also a member of Resolution.

Claire Cooper

Claire joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2006 having graduated from the University of Wales Swansea with a 2:1 LLB degree in Law. She then undertook the Legal Practice Course at Cardiff University obtaining a distinction in Family Law.

Claire qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and specialises in all aspects of family law and assists on ‘big money’ cases. She is a member of Resolution.

Claire has a keen interest in international family law and is a founder of European Lawyers Events, which provides event management and facilitated networking across Europe. The group has attracted much media interest, which includes the BBC, the Family Law Journal and the national press. Claire has lectured at an event in Brussels for European Lawyers.

Ciara Walker

Ciara joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in October 2009 having graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast with a 2:1 in Law. Ciara has undertaken considerable pro bono work for the National Centre for Domestic Violence.

Ciara is a talented ballet dancer and was the lead dancer and choreographer in 2 amateur productions in both Belfast and Chicago. Ciara completed her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Chester and passed with a commendation.