Two senior associate solicitors in the family law team at a south coast legal firm have each gained a top professional seal of approval.

Georgina Emerson and Lauren Harley of Ellis Jones Solicitors have both passed specialist accreditation exams set by Resolution, the national family justice organisation.

To achieve the coveted status, the pair had to complete a rigorous ‘core’ assignment covering all aspects of family law, sit exams for their individual specialisms and prepare a wider ‘portfolio’ of work to be assessed against strict competencies and Resolution’s code of practice.

While there are around 1,300 Resolution accredited specialists across the country, both Georgina and Lauren have achieved the accreditation status comparatively early in their careers.

Georgina, who qualified as a solicitor in March 2021, has gained a specialist accreditation in the subjects of international child abduction and complex matrimonial finances.

Georgina has a growing reputation in the field of international child abduction. She sits as an officer on the Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA) committee in London and volunteers her time as part of the CALA Duty Advocate Scheme, representing clients at the eleventh hour in the Royal Courts of Justice.

She also sits on the Dorset Resolution Committee as the representative of YRes, the

junior arm of Resolution. Georgina said:

“I am proud of Lauren and I for passing the accreditation exams. It was a challenging and intense set of exams to sit but definitely worth it to achieve the accreditation status and promote the various specialisms that we as part of Ellis Jones’ Family Team can offer."

“Gaining my specialist accreditation in Child Abduction reinforces Ellis Jones’ longstanding reputation as one of the very few law firms on the south coast that specialises in international child abduction.”

Lauren, who qualified as a solicitor into the Ellis Jones Family Team in 2017, gained Resolution accreditation in complex matrimonial finances and private children law matters. She is a founding member of Dorset YRes, which launched in October 2019. Like Georgina she is involved in the Dorset Resolution Committee and she represents Dorset at Regional Committee meetings, which bring committees together from across the country to share ideas and offer mutual support. Lauren said:

“We’re thrilled to have achieved accredited status. It further strengthens Ellis Jones’ family law credentials and our department’s work in seeking to find the best outcomes for families and individuals in cases of divorce, separation and family breakdown.”

Both Lauren and Georgina were promoted to the level of Senior Associate Solicitor by Ellis Jones in July 2024.

Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ Managing Parter, said:

“Congratulations to both Lauren and Georgina on passing their Resolution specialist accreditation exams. These are tough, in-depth assessments of professional standards involving rigorous course work, exams and reflective work."

“Achieving accredited status is a huge vote of confidence in Lauren and Georgina as it

demonstrates independent national recognition of their strengths and expertise in

family law.”

Established in 1982, Resolution is a national organisation of more than 6,500 family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way and achieve better outcomes for both adults and children.

The organisation describes specialist accreditation status as a ‘hallmark of excellence in family law practice, recognised by the public, fellow professionals, the judiciary and the Legal Aid Agency’.

For more information on family law services from Ellis Jones Solicitors, visit here.