CooperBurnett Partners Victoria Sampson, John Spence and Katie Gillam have held the position of President in the past, as did former Partner Jonathan Smithers, who went on to be President of the Law Society.
Currently, Family & Matrimonial Partner, Gemma Gillespie, is on the TWTDLS committee. This is Gemma’s second period on the council and she currently is on the membership committee.
“We now have 253 members and have recently signed up some apprentices to the TWTDLS, as well as lawyers working in London firms but resident in the Tunbridge Wells area,” says Gemma. “We are a vibrant local Law Society and I’m proud to be associated with something that boasts such a long history. I know members really benefit from being part of our organisation and it’s really encouraging when new members sign up.”
The TWTDLS was founded in May 1933 by local solicitors practicing in Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge. Led by a committee elected annually, it offers support to local solicitors and other legal professionals, while also representing the local members in consultations with The Law Society, Solicitors Regulation Authority and other Government bodies. In addition to solicitors, the membership also includes paralegals, trainees, legal executives, barristers and in-house counsel.
Alongside regular meetings, networking and learning sessions, TWTDLS also holds social events throughout the year.
“There was a practice area quiz recently, which saw me join a table of other family lawyers locally, which was really useful,” says Gemma. “A social event like this makes it easier to pick up the phone to another local lawyer when I need to.”
Gemma says life in the Family & Matrimonial team continues to be busy.
“Currently, there’s a move to keep matters out of court, as the court system isn’t as efficient as it could be and we’ve had a few instances of cases being postponed last minute,” she says. “We are working with some clients to pursue a private FDR (Financial Dispute Resolution). While this comes at a cost, there isn’t the pressure of being in court and you get the time you need to come to a resolution in a more relaxed environment.”
Gemma says she’s also talking to an increasing number of clients out pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
TeamCB is taking two tables at the annual TWTDLS dinner and Gemma says it’s a really good way of catching up with colleagues in different teams at CooperBurnett in a social way, as well as meeting contacts from other firms locally.
If you’d like to know more about joining TWTDLS, email Gemma on: gjg@coopeburnett.com
