Significant promotion for late starter to law

The Family Law Company has announced the promotion of Melissa Mitchell to Associate Solicitor, recognising her contribution to clients and colleagues, and her impressive journey into family law as a second career.

Melissa joined the firm’s Exeter office as a Legal Administrator in 2021 after a successful career in training and education. Within just three months she progressed to Paralegal in the Children and Domestic Abuse Team. After completing her LPC, she successfully secured a training contract in 2022 and qualified as a solicitor into the Divorce and Finance team. Her promotion to Associate marks the next step in a fast moving and well-deserved career.

Her decision to make a career pivot was shaped by personal life experiences, which helped her recognise how transferable her skills were and how much they could benefit family law clients. Alongside client work, Melissa plays an active role in firm wide training and development, as well as supporting her colleagues whenever needed.

Managing Director and Head of the Divorce and Finance Team, Rachel Buckley said: “Melissa’s journey into law is genuinely inspiring. She brings empathy, resilience and calm to every case, shaped by her own lived experience and previous professional background.

“Her commitment to clients and her willingness to step up and support colleagues make her an obvious choice for promotion to Associate. She lives our values every day and we are incredibly proud of her.”

Melissa’s work is consistently reflected in the feedback she receives from clients:

• “A huge thank you for your time, effort, patience and for dealing with me as a client. I can’t believe I am finally divorced after what has felt like a long 2.5 years. Thank you so, so much.”
• “I really have appreciated all you have done in getting us over the line. You have been a blessing, and I am so grateful for your hard work.”

Melissa’s promotion highlights The Family Law Company’s commitment to nurturing talent, valuing all career paths and lived experiences, and recognising people who go above and beyond for clients, colleagues and the community.