Manchester-based McAlister Family Law owner Amanda McAlister has further boosted her team with the appointment of Chris Fairhurst as partner and Jonathan Casey as solicitor.
The firm, founded only a matter of months ago, has set its sights on being the UK’s ‘go to’ authority on all family law matters, with a mission to provide expert advice and guidance to clients within a framework of empathy and truthfulness.
Fairhurst, 48, an acknowledged expert in the realm of children’s issues, is one of only a small number of dual-qualified Resolution and Children Panel accredited specialists in the country, and a recognised authority in the matter of complex child abduction cases, as well as national and international relocation issues.
The married father of four brings to the firm more than two decades of experience, and frequently is called upon by national broadcast and print media to provide expert comment on relevant children’s issues and family law matters.
Prior to joining McAlister Family Law, Fairhurst held positions at Slater and Gordon and Stephensons LLP.
Jonathan Casey, 28, who achieved a First in Law at Liverpool John Moores University, also worked at Slater and Gordon in Manchester, and before that Haworth and Gallagher in Birkenhead.
He has a particular interest in Tolata (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996) cases, a complicated area of law relating to the ownership of land as it pertains to cohabitees. He also represents parents locked highly contentious residence and child contact disputes and is experienced in advising parties in intractable and alienated parent cases, some involving allegations of addiction, emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
Casey is also well known on the music scene, having his own band, The Jon Casey Blues Band, a four-piece that has played all over Europe, including support gigs with international artistes such as Andy Fairweather Low and Dr Feelgood.
Casey and Fairhurst will work closely together in their new roles.
McAlister said: “I’m delighted to welcome our new recruits on board. Both bring particular specialisms that complement the already comprehensive offering here at McAlister Family Law, and both are dedicated to delivering a service to our clients that vastly exceeds their expectations.
“With Chris and Jonathan as key members of our team, our plan to position McAlister Family Law as one of the UK’s leading family law firms is fully on course.”
Fairhurst said: “I believe, very strongly, in the culture and ethos of McAlister Family Law, so to be a part of this exciting new firm fits perfectly with my own outlook and ambitions. I am very much looking forward to our working together to shape, in a positive and holistic fashion, the provision of family law in the UK.”
Casey added: “Joining McAlister Family Law from Slater and Gordon was the opportunity of a lifetime, and one which offers me the chance to focus on some of the most challenging areas of family law. We really are developing into a force to be reckoned with.”
McAlister Family Law is part of Beyond Professional Services Group, a business that believes strongly in doing the right thing for its clients. Lead by Matt Fleetwood and Jim Truscott, it focuses on developing long term client relationships, challenges the thinking of traditional law firms and ultimately is changing the way of conducting business in the industry, with notable success.
