Kevin is now on his 40th Practicing Certificate, all of that time spent in Taunton and Bridgwater. He brings immense experience to the practice which has a diverse team of lawyers equipped to deal with all levels of family law enquiries.
Kevin set up this business in 2008 as a sole trader following the closure of the Taunton office of a regional firm where he had been a partner. The practice has grown since then and was incorporated in 2014.
In 2012, the business achieved (and has since maintained) the Law Society Lexcel specialist quality mark. This is a standard of practice management that sets the firm apart from many rivals in the local community. It is a badge of excellence that is challenging to achieve and which promotes a high standard of client care for all.
Kevin is now a Consultant with the Company.
Kevin was Honorary Secretary of The Somerset Law Society between 1991 and 2007 when the Society merged with Devon and Exeter. Kevin was President of the Association of South Western Law Societies in 2001.
Kevin has always been a Legal Aid Lawyer and has been a member of the Law Society Children Panel since December 1994.
Most of his clients are children or adult family members involved in care proceedings. Kevin is very experienced in representing adults who are learning impaired or who are affected by issues with their mental health.
Kevin works with other professionals to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients. This includes Childrens Guardians in respect of younger children and also the Official Solicitor for adults who lack capacity.
Kevin has recent experience in the following types of case:-
Excellent. First class service provided – as usual. Cafcass Taunton.
Very professional. Always prompt response. Very helpful. Didn’t come across as after loads of money from cases (as I’m sure many solicitors are), but only interested in sorting out clients’ needs effectively and efficiently. Thank you, Kevin. You seem to have the right balance - professional and efficient and yet still caring. I was very lucky that D recommended you. Good luck in the future. Mrs S F from Weston super Mare.
First class, could not have expected any more. Thank you Kevin Miss JMT from Yeovil.
Very good. Friendly and informative. Got things sorted quickly and kept me informed every step of the way. I got the result I wanted. Mr Shearn couldn’t have done any more. Miss C R from Wellington.
The impression I received was he was on my side and would do the best for me. 14 year old boy in care proceedings.
Excellent, professional caring service. I feel that I was well represented and offered the best advice for my individual services. Mr JG from Devon.
Knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and responsive. Thanks for your help, couldn’t have done it without you. Mr and Mrs W from Taunton.
Professional, knowledgeable and approachable – very impressed. All calls returned, all requests granted. Mr D from Taunton.
Very good. Kept us up to speed. Would recommend to anyone. Brilliant man explained every step. Mr and Mrs D from North Petherton.
Daisy is a director and solicitor.
Daisy has specialised in Family law since 2005 and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2012. Daisy then went on to qualify as a Solicitor in 2017.
Daisy has worked in private practice throughout her legal career and worked in the local office of a regional firm for 10 years prior to joining the team here at KSFLP in 2015.
Daisy deals with every aspect of Family Law including divorce proceedings and financial resolution as well as all aspects of Public and Private Law Children Act matters. She also acts for victims of domestic abuse, offering support to victims.
Daisy particularly specialises in children cases and frequently advises and represents clients in respect of Child Arrangement Orders, Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders dealing with matters concerning a child’s living arrangements, the amount of time a child should spend with the absent parent post separation and issues concerning relocation and the restriction of parental responsibility. In addition, Daisy frequently represents clients in Public Law Proceedings to include parents, grandparents, children and extended family members, providing advice and representation in respect of care proceedings, Special Guardianship and Adoption. Daisy has been involved in a number of complex cases involving parents with learning difficulties, medical issues including non-accidental injury to children, neglect and child sexual abuse, both real and fabricated.
Daisy is accredited by the Law Society in Children Law. This is a recognised quality standard for practitioners representing children in children law proceedings. The accreditation covers all types of children law work and is recognised by the Legal Aid Agency. It is a way for clients and professionals (such as guardians) to choose a qualified practitioner when a child needs representation.
Excellent (the very best). Mrs and Mrs C from Wiltshire.
Very approachable, kept me up to date – very good Mr W from Wiveliscombe.
Gave advice in a way that was easy to understand and was very good. Mr N from Bridgwater.
Brilliant/very happy. Mr P from Taunton.
Absolutely amazing. I couldn’t have asked for better. Would never go with anyone else. Ms B from Dorchester.
We were very impressed with the service. Mr & Mrs R, from Taunton.
Marie is a director and solicitor.
Marie qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and worked in private practice in South Devon, specialising in family law, before joining KSFLP in 2019.
Marie has experience of a wide range of family law matters. Marie can advise and assist in respect of arrangements for children including where applications to Court are required for a variety of Child Arrangements Orders. Additionally Marie deals with divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships and financial matters arising from the breakdown of relationships as well as pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements.
Marie appreciates that it is often a difficult time for a client when visiting a family lawyer. She takes the time to listen to her client’s needs and concerns and takes a practical approach to achieve the best possible outcome.
She is a member of Resolution and a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Domestic Abuse and Private Children Matters.
I felt very well looked after and represented….Marie managed to very empathetic (empathy was completely absent in my previous experience) and very responsive….Overall really happy and the best outcome we could have hoped for too. Ms N, Taunton.
Brilliant service! Made to feel at ease and looked after throughout and completely understood. Ms J, Taunton.
A good understanding of the issues involved. Mrs R from Wellington.
I felt very well looked after and well represented. Ms N from Taunton.
I was very pleased with the service we received. Miss N from Taunton.
“I was very pleased with the service received. The Initial meeting was arranged promptly and carried out very professionally. Mr G from Poole.
Sarah is a chartered legal executive.
Sarah has worked in the legal profession from the age of 18 during which she has gained valuable and extensive experience in all aspects of Family Law. Sarah joined Kevin Shearn when KSFLP was set up in 2008. Since joining KSFLP, Sarah has completed her legal training and in 2010 qualified as a Fellow of CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives).
Sarah has a particular interest in financial matters arising as a result of separation, divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships. This includes cases of high-net-worth assets and pensions which often involve complex issues. Sarah also deals with the preparation of Pre-nuptial and Co-habitation Agreements.
Sarah has experience dealing with the arrangements for children following the breakdown of a relationship including applications to Court for Child Arrangement Orders.
Sarah is a member of the Junior Lawyers Division of the Devon and Somerset Law Society and a member of Resolution (First for Family Law).
She is also a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Complex Financial Remedies.
Excellent. Sarah was very friendly and approachable from the very first meeting putting me at my ease. She gave sound advice and acted promptly. I would highly recommend the firm. Miss C B from Taunton.
Very helpful, always willing to talk. Service was brilliant. I would like to say a big thank you for helping me. Mrs C T from Taunton.
Helpful and prompt. Many thanks for your help, Sarah. John from Taunton.
Amazing. From start to now, Sarah has been amazing. I couldn't have done this without her. The whole process(made difficult by the other party) was made bearable by Sarah & Co. Mrs L W from Taunton.
Sarah has been very helpful and helped me remain focused in this unpleasant process. Thank you so much for your professionalism and prompt response to me. I would personally recommend Sarah to someone in my position. Mrs P W from Taunton.
Supportive, Professional, Transparent and Honest. Mr AB from Somerset.
Very professional and sympathetic. Ms AM from Taunton.
Thanks for your kindness and support. Mr FG from Bridgwater.
Excellent – very professional and supportive. Great with everything. Thank you for very professional approach and for all of your support this year. Mr N of Taunton.
Sarah was very professional. Polite and patient during a long and difficult time. Recommendations and advice were timely and appropriate. Mrs LH from Taunton.
Outstanding, Sarah did her job from her heart and it wasn’t just a job Mr JD from Taunton.
Sarah was very knowledgeable and helpful. She was very quick at responding to questions and explained the process in a way that made sense Ms SF from Taunton.
Amy is a solicitor. She started her career at a Local Authority where she qualified in 2018 before joining KSFLP in 2022.
Amy primarily works in public law proceedings. She has had extensive experience with complex cases, involving international elements, allegations of non-accidental injuries, FII and physical and emotional harm.
Amy is understanding of the stress that clients experience when needing to contact a family lawyer. She works tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for her clients.
Amy is accredited by the Law Society in Children Law.
Amy is a keen hockey player.
“Excellent, Thank you Amy Mr V from Dulverton.
Very good and professional Mr M from Yeovil.
Nichola is a solicitor.
She completed her law degree at the University of Bristol. She then completed the BVC at the Inns of Court School of Law, graduating as “Very Competent”.
Having left the legal profession to manage a large dairy firm for several years, Nichola has returned to law to satisfy her passion for family law. She completed the LPC in 2021, passing with a distinction and an average grade of 88% over 13 different subject areas. Nichola was awarded the Burges Salmon prize in February 2021 for the best performance on the LPC and the Janet Forbes prize for the highest mark in the Family Law module.
Whilst completing the LPC, Nichola joined KSFLP as a paralegal in March 2020 before qualifying as a solicitor in September 2022.
Nichola works primarily in public law proceedings. She has already been involved in a number of complex cases, including cases involving allegations of FII, physical and emotional harm and has assisted parents with severe learning difficulties. Nichola also has experience obtaining non-molestation and occupation orders. She volunteered weekly for the National Centre Domestic Violence for over 2 years whilst she completed her undergraduate degree.
Nichola is the current secretary for the parent committee at her local school.
Having worked with Nic on a number of occasions she offers a service that is second to none. She is incredibly thorough and addresses every aspect of her client’s case with a detailed and forensic eye. This is coupled with a client friendly and approachable personality that readily puts her clients at ease as she guides them through their case. A top choice as a family/child care solicitor. Barrister, Albion Chambers.
A very talented lawyer indeed. She is thorough and tenacious but will always stay objective to ensure that her client’s achieve the best possible outcome. A real rising star. Barrister, St Johns Chambers.
I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been working with Nichola ... Her preparation is excellent, the quality of collaborative working has made the case very straightforward to keep on top of, and her contribution to the conferences we have had are insightful and always helpful. I can see the client has also really appreciated what she has been doing on his case. Barrister at 3PB.
I would like to extend my admiration for the tremendous hard work that Nichola has put into this case and preparing the father’s statement which was of an exceptionally high quality and the same for the other written documentation that Nichola has prepared. Barrister at St Johns Chambers.
I had lost all faith and trust in people in general.. Nichola stood by me in the darkest times of my life when I could not see the way out of this never ending nightmare. She showed me I can trust and have faith in people again… Nichola stood by my side and helped me put my family together again which I will be forever in her debt. Father in Care Proceedings.
Saffron is a Paralegal.
Saffron joined the team in 2022 and assists all fee earners with their caseloads to include but not limited to drafting court documents, representing clients at PLO meetings and attending court with clients and counsel.
Saffron is a very effective and professional team player. I applaud her calm approach and natural ability to engage with the complexities of our fast moving hearing. In addition, the Judge was faced with, as were we all, various internet challenges seeking out previous documents and bundles from earlier hearings. Saffron was instrumental in achieving these goals without undue fuss. Barrister – St Johns chambers.
Nick is the office manager.
Throughout his career Nick has worked as a Legal Cashier prior to joining this firm in 2011.
He assists with the daily management of the office together with Finance Administration work.
He has considerable experience in the field of Legal Accounting and has a very sound knowledge and understanding of the Solicitors Accounts Rules.
Nick is authorised by the SRA as the firm’s COFA.
Nick is also one of our qualified First Aid Officers.
Chantelle is a Legal Secretary and Compliance Assistant.
Chantelle has worked in private practice with law firms since 2005 and worked primarily in the conveyancing team for a regional law firm for 6 years before joining KSFLP in 2011 and completing an Executive PA Diploma. In 2012, Chantelle moved to Australia and worked in the Dispute Resolution team of a National law firm in Sydney for 5 years. Upon her return to the UK, Chantelle re-joined KSFLP to satisfy her passion for family law.
Alison is a legal secretary.
Alison was one of the 4 original members of this firm when set up in 2008. Since then, she has had a family career break and then worked for a while in a family law specialist firm in Devon. We are very pleased to have Alison back with us providing secretarial and admin support primarily to Kevin.
Deborah is a legal secretary.
Deborah has worked in private practice with law firms specialising in Family Law since 2006 and worked in a local office of a regional firm for 6 years prior to joining our team in 2012.
Deborah works in all areas of Family Law including divorce/civil partnership and financial resolution, cohabitation/separation agreements, as well as public law and private children matters. Deborah also assists in cases involving victims of domestic abuse.
Debra is a legal secretary.
Debra is an experienced Legal Secretary and Support Administrator. She has worked extensively in the Legal and Finance Sector as a PA. Before settling in Somerset, Debra has worked for a global law firm based in Blackfriars and also for 3 years for a law firm in Bermuda. She now enjoys providing invaluable support primarily to our private law divorce and finance team.
“First class, could not have expected any more. Thank you.” - Miss JMT, Yeovil
“First class, could not have expected any more. Thank you.” - Miss JMT, Yeovil
For a consultation with a Family Law Solicitor call us on
01823 256 494
or
make an on-line enquiry
and we will give you a call back.
Kevin Shearn Family Law Practice Limited: Registered in England & Wales No. 8853617
A list of Directors is available for inspection at the Registered Office
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No. 611869
