Susi Gillespie Head Of TM Family Law

Susi Gillespie

Partner & Head of Family DR

01892 337542 / 07765 237579
[email protected]
LinkedIn

Susi Gillespie is Head of Family Dispute Resolution, which unites the firm’s mediation, collaborative law and, soon to be introduced, one couple one lawyer service and offers clients innovative solutions to resolve family disputes outside of court.

Susi Gillespie is a results driven family lawyer with more than 17 years’ experience family law. She joined Thomas Mansfield’s Tunbridge Wells office in late 2017 to set up the firm’s family team and she successfully grew the team from initially just her to a large team spread across several offices.

The 2022 edition of The Legal 500 recognised Thomas Mansfield’s family team’s “strong presence in the South East/Kent and clearly established reputation for providing excellent representation and client care whilst also keeping fee levels/structures transparent and at a reasonable and realistic level.” Susi has been recognised in previous editions of Chambers and Partners for her “enthusiasm and straightforward attitude”.

Susi is qualified Resolution Accredited Specialist in the areas of complex financial remedies and cohabitation (unmarried) disputes. Resolution is the largest membership organisation for family justice professionals in England and Wales and the Specialist Accreditation Scheme recognises members who demonstrate excellence in the practice of family law and in their specific areas of expertise.

Susi is also a Law Society Accredited Mediator and a Collaborative Lawyer which means that she can offer her clients an alternative method of dispute resolution from the traditional adversarial approach. Mediation is a cost effective and family focused way of assisting couples to end their relationship and plan for their family’s future. Collaborative law provides a means of achieving family led solutions in a non-confrontational way by agreement and discussion in client/lawyer meetings with the aim of avoiding court proceedings.

Experience and recent work

Susi’s experience and expertise lies in the resolution of financial disputes between married and unmarried couples and on children matters. Susi’s preference is to resolve these disputes in either a mediation or collaborative setting.

In so far as financial matters are concerned, Susi is fully aware that the worry associated with the financial division can be more stressful than the separation itself. Susi will assist in achieving a fair division of the matrimonial home and assets through a process of firm and fair negotiation on her clients’ behalf.

When it comes to children matters, Susi advises on issues relating to the arrangements for where children will live and how often they will spend time with their other parent post separation, as well as removal from jurisdiction cases. Susi understands that when couples are separating from each other, both parties will continue to be parents to their children. Susi actively assists parents to focus on their children’s well-being; whether this is through negotiation, collaboration, mediation or through the Court process.

Susi also regularly advises clients in respect of pre and post marital agreements as well as cohabitation or ‘living together’ agreements.

Memberships and accreditations

  • Law Society
  • Resolution
  • Kent Resolution Committee Member
  • Resolution Cohabitation Committee
  • Family Mediation Council

Accreditation Family Mediation Colour Jpeg    Member Logo CMYK3    Res Spec Logo CMYK2    Res Collab Logo CMYK

Client testimonials

Susi during our first meeting was super kind, listened intently and offered very professional and informative advice.
Client, UK
Their advice is always excellent, behaviour is always professional, and you genuinely feel they want they best for the client as opposed to making money from them.
Client, UK
Simplicity, listening and professionalism! At a very stressful time (involving French and UK laws) the whole process was made clear, helpful and concise.
Client, UK & France
Reshma was amazing with my initial consulting. She broke down the step by step process which I needed to take to move forward in my situation. I would definitely highly recommend.
Client, UK
The family team at Thomas Mansfield are a group of excellent lawyers who provide the best possible mix of knowledge, invaluable experience, sound and reliable advice, efficiency, commitment and support.
Legal 500, 2023
Susi was great and helped me navigate an arduous and painful process.
Client, UK
From the minute I walked through the door I was greeted with a warm welcome. This helped put me at ease during a meeting that potentially was very daunting and difficult. Susi was kind, listened intently and offered very professional and informative advice.
Client, UK
Fantastic service, fast response. Would recommend TM to anybody looking for legal assistance.
Client, UK
My experience of dealing with individuals at the firm is that they demonstrate a great amount of empathy, care and tact at dealing with tricky family law issues. Susi Gillespie in particular continually demonstrates a firm, yet sensitive approach, which is gratefully appreciated.
Client, UK
Reshma was available to listen at a time when I needed the reassurance. From our initial chats her expertise and confidence were enough to put my mind at rest.
Client, UK
Reshma was highly recommended to me by a friend. She has great knowledge and was able to answer all my questions in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming despite their sensitive nature... I felt empowered and have a far greater idea of what to expect going forward and how we will achieve the best outcome.
Client, UK
Thomas Mansfield has an exceptional and highly collaborative team. Whenever my key point of contact has been away, issues are quickly picked up and dealt with by other members of the team, all of whom appear to have a great, collective and collaborative understanding of their clients’ issues.
Client, UK
The process of a getting divorced is unpleasant and unfamiliar, and so it is important to have quality, compassionate and clear advice. Thomas Mansfield offered this in abundance and together we were able to navigate the unsavoury business as efficiently and as effectively possible.
Client, UK
Thomas Mansfield has an established reputation for providing excellent representation and client care, while keeping fee levels transparent and reasonable.
Legal 500, 2022
Susi skilfully guided me through my divorce, which was complicated by the fact I jointly owned a business with my spouse.
Client, UK
Thank you for once again for all you kind, warm and efficient help with what has been a fairly difficult time in my life.
Client, UK
Excellent matrimonial and family law advisors and advocates.
Client, UK
Efficient team, easy to work with – they have gone above and beyond to help in my case.
Client, UK
Great service and advice received throughout the entire divorce process.
Client, UK
Clear communications, and an honest and authentic response to challenging questions. They also listen, and properly listen to concerns. I would highly recommend Thomas Mansfield, and especially Susi Gillespie.
Client, UK