Heading up the team is Managing Director, Karen Bennett, who decided to return to her family roots and set up the Practice in 1999. Prior to her move back to the North West, Karen was one of two co-founders and a Senior Partner of a practice near London where she presided as Head of the Family Law department.
Having over 30 years’ Family Law experience, Karen’s specific areas of expertise are dealing with financial matters for high net worth clients. In recent years she has represented clients where the assets have ranged from £8 million to in excess of £35 million. She also specialises in complex farming cases and cases including Trusts.
Regularly appearing in the Family Courts across North Wales, Chester, the North West of England and London. Karen is based in North Wales, and frequently travels to our offices in Chester and to London and the Home Counties in order to meet with her clients.
Karen believes wholeheartedly in a non-confrontational approach to family matters. However, she can also be firm and robust in striving to reach a fair settlement for every client, every time.
Adrian Altman completed his Law Degree at Manchester Metropolitan University before being called to the Bar in 2002 and cross qualifying as a Solicitor in 2005. Adrian joined the team in 2017 and is a Senior Solicitor based at the Parc Menai office where he specialises in Family Law, his focus being on divorce, financial issues and disagreements concerning children. A member of Resolution and the Law Society Family Law Panel, he regularly appears in Courts across North Wales, Chester and the North West of England..
Rhiannon Compton joined the team in 2012. Having gained a Law Degree from Bangor University, Rhiannon went on to complete her LPC at Liverpool. Rhiannon gained valuable experience working alongside Karen and qualified as a Specialist Family Law Solicitor who practices all aspects of Family Law. Rhiannon regularly appears in the Family Courts across North Wales, Chester and the North West of England.
Samia Khanum gained her LLB Law Degree from the University of Bangor and joined the team as a paralegal in June 2019 in our Family Law Department. Samia will be continuing her studies at the University of Law in Chester to complete her Legal Practice Course.
Sue Baker is Head Secretary based in the Family Law Department, contributing her many years of experience to that role. Combined with her role as Head Secretary, Sue has been Karen’s PA since 2012.
Ruth Broderick graduated from the Agricultural Department at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1999 with a Bsc (Hons) in Ecological Resource Management. Ruth brings to the Family Law Team an extensive knowledge of the Family Courts with 12 years experience working at HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
Diane Templer worked for the Local Government for 24 years in a secretarial and administration role before joining Bennett Smith Solicitors. Diane works closely with the Family Law team providing secretarial support to Adrian and she is a fluent Welsh speaker.
Gillian Walker presides over the Conveyancing, Wills and Probate Departments. Gillian’s immense experience, spanning some 50 years, complements the team and she is also a fluent Welsh speaker.
Amy Williams obtained a Law Degree from Bangor University and completed her LPC at the University of Law in Chester. Amy began her conveyancing career with a local firm, before joining the team at Bennett Smith Solicitors in February 2015. Based at our conveyancing department in the Parc Menai office, Amy is a solicitor specialising in residential property transactions and also has experience in family law. Together with the rest of the team, Amy endeavours to make the conveyancing process as easy and stress-free as possible for our clients and always provides a personal approach. She prides herself on her reliable repeat business and ongoing recommendations.
Lynne Kellett joined the team as an assistant in August 2014. Lynne is based in the conveyancing department assisting Amy.
As a fluent Welsh speaker, Lynne can provide a fully bilingual service.
An essential member of the team is Director Jamie Camilleri, who has been in place as the Practice Manager since September 2010. Jamie works closely with our Quality Management Consultant, Adele Warchester, who safeguards the professional aspects of the Practice, leaving the rest of the team to concentrate on their areas of expertise.
When they are not behind their desks, the team pursue their individual and somewhat eclectic interests which include scuba diving, watch repairing, Harley motorbikes, exhibiting and operating steam rollers and traction engines, Formula One and ballroom dancing.
It makes for interesting conversation at office functions
