Karen Dovaston – owner and principal solicitor
Karen qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and specialised in family law work from that point on after a broad range of training covering not only family law but also conveyancing, medical negligence, personal injury, employment and crime.
She is accredited by the Law Society for her expertise in family law. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, having qualified as a financial arbitrator. She is the Vice Chair for the Forum of Family Arbitrators, which is the national organisation speaking for arbitrators in England and Wales. She is a member of Resolution and a past National Committee member of Resolution. She is the interim Chair of the Law Society Family Law Committee, which advises the Law Society response on law and policy.
She was part of the on-line divorce and financial order pilot scheme for solicitors, working with HM Courts & Tribunals Service and still takes part in the consultation groups with HMCTS. She has taken part in the Focus Groups for the Pensions Advisory Group, aimed at improving the way in which pensions are dealt with in the family arena.
She the Chair of the Trust Board of a Multi Academy Trust, comprising of six local schools, which she thoroughly enjoys. She has taken part in the 6o Minute Mentor South East project, giving mentoring and guidance to Year 8 students. She is a former member of BNI Coastal and a past president of the group, with many business contacts in the area and beyond.
Karen loves using technology to help run her business and to give great outcomes on service for her clients.