Beyond Group’s specialist Family and Children Law practice, McAlister Family Law, has announced the recruitment of Brigid O’Malley as Associate and Stephanie Eastwood as solicitor. Both join the team in response to a significant increase in new enquires in both the divorce and finance and children law divisions.
The practice has climbed the rankings in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners year on year; the Group has offices in Manchester city centre and throughout Cheshire. The two new appointees reflect the continued demand for its expertise both in divorce and finance and children law matters.
Brigid, who studied Law at Leeds Metropolitan (now Beckett) University, graduated in 2009 and completed her LPC at the College of Law in Chester in 2010, where she gained a distinction. She qualified as a solicitor in 2014, and acts on behalf of clients seeking advice and assistance in relation to family matters that includes divorce, financial proceedings, civil partnership dissolution, nullity, domestic abuse, and children proceedings. A key member of the Divorce and Finance team, she also has considerable experience in private children law.
Brigid is an accredited Police Station Representative and is also experienced in criminal law, having represented clients at Police stations and magistrates court, and instructing counsel at Crown Court, including handling cases involving serious sexual assault and violent crime. She is particularly experienced in assisting both victims and alleged perpetrators of domestic violence within the family.
Over the last twelve months, the award-winning McAlister Family Law has seen significant growth having recruited two specialist partners, four solicitors and three paralegals.
Said Brigid: “McAlister Family Law is a practice absolutely committed not only to divorce and related finance work, but also to the welfare of children through its unique specialist children teams. To have the opportunity of being able to work on both is incredible.”
Stephanie graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2016, where she went on to gain her LPC. She began her career as a paralegal whilst still at university, working first in the field of Personal Injury claims, before going on to specialise in Family Law. She has joined the practice’s specialist children team and will represent both children and parents on all matters including child abduction, child arrangements and adoption.
Stephanie said: “I’m thrilled to join such a forward-thinking family law practice and to be part of the wider Beyond Group. McAlister Family Law is home to one of the countries’ leading children law practices, having more than eight solicitors on the Law Society Accredited children panel. I am so looking forward to working with such a highly regarded, specialist team.”
Amanda McAlister, managing partner of McAlister Family Law, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Brigid and Stephanie on board. Both are very talented family law solicitors and bring skills and experience that complement the already comprehensive offering here at McAlister Family Law. Like everyone within our practice, they are dedicated to delivering the very highest level of service to our clients.
“They will, I am sure, make a significant contribution to the team as we continue to grow as a practice and cement our reputation as one of the UK’s leading family law practices.”
Beyond Group Head Matt Fleetwood said: “The recruitment of Brigid and Stephanie is further evidence of the Group’s strategic growth and most importantly, they are a perfect fit for the Group’s culture and values. McAlister Family Law has been extraordinarily successful since we established the practice three years ago, and it’s great to see it expand further with these new recruits.”
