Alison Fernandes

Practice Areas

Alison is experienced in all aspects of family law and is a Resolution Accredited specialist in financial cases and private children law. She has a particular interest in complex financial cases involving pre-marital assets/non-matrimonial assets including inherited assets and assets acquired prior to marriage. Alison also has extensive experience of cases involving public sector professionals and military personnel where a significant portion of pension is often accrued prior to marriage. However, Alison’s clients have ranged from property developers, manufacturers and farmers to sports professionals and other professionals. The type of assets involved have also been varied, including international property and offshore trusts. Alison is frequently sought out by clients to advise in relation to asset protection through pre and post nuptial/partnership agreements and cohabitation agreements.

Career

She previously worked with a number of prestigious law firms in Nottingham, Cambridge and Sheffield. Alison was a partner and joint head of the Sheffield Family department at Irwin Mitchell before joining Hall Brown in April 2020 to head their South Yorkshire team in Sheffield.

Publications

Alison has a no-nonsense, proactive approach and clients say “Alison is very personable and also extremely knowledgeable” ”She is professional, gives clear, good advice, has compassion and not only listens, but hears” (Legal 500) and “she is second to none and really goes the extra mile, paying attention to all the details” “ she is fantastic, prompt, approachable, and she really explains things and breaks them down in a way I can understand”. (Chambers and Partners).

Industry Sector Expertise

Alison is experienced in all aspects of family law and is a Resolution Accredited specialist in financial cases and private children law. She has a particular interest in complex financial cases involving pre-marital assets/non-matrimonial assets including inherited assets and assets acquired prior to marriage. Alison also has extensive experience of cases involving public sector professionals and military personnel where a significant portion of pension is often accrued prior to marriage. However, Alison’s clients have ranged from property developers, manufacturers and farmers to sports professionals and other professionals. The type of assets involved have also been varied, including international property and offshore trusts. Alison is frequently sought out by clients to advise in relation to asset protection through pre and post nuptial/partnership agreements and cohabitation agreements.

In addition, Alison is often instructed in complex private children cases. She has extensive experience of cases involving alienating behaviours and also where one or more parents have suffered substance and/or alcohol addiction. Alison’s sensitive and constructive approach to those cases has been praised by clients and other professionals involved.

Alison is a confident and tough litigator. She is often recommended on the basis of her “straight talking, pragmatic and commercial approach” to helping clients reach their desired outcome. However, Alison is also one of the most experienced Collaborative Lawyers in the region. This enables Alison to offer Collaborative law as a method of dispute resolution for clients who prefer an alternative to Court.

Experience

Recognised as an expert in family law, Alison frequently lectures to other professionals on family law in relation to their services, including Accountants, Bankers, Financial Planners/IFA’s and Medical professionals. Alison has also given television and radio interviews and comment to national and local press on developments in family law.