BH&O - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Solicitor
- Member of Resolution
Amanda Stopps is a consultant solicitor having qualified in 2002. She studied law at the University of Glamorgan and then went on to the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice to obtain her professional qualifications. She completed her legal training at a high street practice in Henley on Thames before moving to practice exclusively in family law at a firm in Banbury.
Amanda is a member of Resolution and prides herself on her ability to make clients feel at ease and is able to explain the law in a clear understandable manner to her clients. Amanda is experienced in divorce, financial settlements , private Children Act matters and cohabitation disputes.
Beth Hancock is a trainee solicitor.
Beth studied law at Nottingham Trent University and graduated in June 2020, achieving a 2.1. Throughout her studies, Beth enjoyed engaging in pro bono work in the community.
Beth joined BH&O in April 2021 where she worked as a paralegal whilst studying towards her professional qualifications. Beth completed her LPC alongside an LLM in Professional Legal Practice in July 2022, achieving a distinction. Whilst working as a paralegal, Beth gained experience assisting on both public and private children law matters.
Beth started her training contract in September 2022, becoming BH&O's first trainee solicitor. During her training, Beth will gain experience in a wide range of family law matters.
In her spare time Beth enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Cheyenne Hamblin is Personal Assistant in our Care Team.
Cheyenne moved to England from Texas three years ago with her family and is delighted to be a part of the team. She has worked in various office settings for over 8 years as a receptionist and administrative assistant. She really enjoys working with people and helping others. Cheyenne is starting her Cilex qualification so that she can fulfil her ambition in working in Family Law.
Emily Boardman is a solicitor and one of the founding partners at Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP.
She studied law at The University of London (SOAS) and obtained her professional qualifications from The College of Law (London). She trained in London and spent 12 years as the head of the family department in another Thames Valley firm before leaving to establish BH&O LLP.
She is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children and The Law Society's Children Panel.
Emily undertakes any complex family cases involving children but specialises particularly in cases against social services and private adoptions. She advises fostering and adoption agencies as well.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Solicitor
- Head BH & O Matrimonial Department
- Head of BH & O Legal Matrimonial Team
- Member of Resolution
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP are delighted to have appointed Helen Bishop to head their matrim
Helen Bishop is a consultant solicitor having qualified in 1999. She studied law at Southampton University and then went on to Guildford College of Law to obtain her professional qualifications. She completed her training at a leading south coast firm in Southampton in 1999 where she continued to work for in the family department until 2003, when she relocated to Berkshire.
Helen practises exclusively in family law and is experienced in divorce, financial settlements, Private Children Act matters, cohabitation disputes and pre-nuptial agreements. She has particular interest in the resolution of financial matters, and has wide experience with cases ranging from modest assets to those of more complexity and higher value, including nuptial settlements and high value pensions.
Helen acts for client's both in the local area and further afield and many of her cases come from personal referrals.
Helen is a member of Resolution and firmly believes that cases can be dealt with through constructive negotiation.
Helen was a governor for 8 years at primary school in Hampshire, four of which she was the Chair of Governors and she is passionate about children's welfare. Her experience as a governor and the education system lends itself to her work when dealing with cases involving children.
Throughout her career Helen has been involved in domestic abuse cases, and she was one of the founding trustees of "Flag DV" which is a local charity to provide free legal advice to individuals suffering from domestic abuse.
Helen is the author of "Jack" which is an illustrated fiction book to help children deal with the issues that arise as a result of parental separation. Helen has also written articles for Resolution and ‘wikivorce' and has appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the impact of divorce and separation on Children and the impact of the Children and Families Act 2014. Helen has also featured on BBC Radio Berkshire to discuss her book.
Helen is married and has two teenage children, and when she is not working she enjoys swimming, gardening and travel.
Irena Osborne is an experienced family practitioner. Before becoming a founding partner of BH&O Irena worked in the care department at Turpin & Miller LLP for 8 years, having trained in a large firm in London and spent some time in a high street firm in Buckinghamshire. She spent three years in the Oxford office before moving to the Reading office taking over running it. She has eight years post qualification experience representing parents in care proceedings and dealing with international family matters. She has further four years pre-qualification experience dealing with family litigation in general.
Irena's notable cases include:
Re L (2015) Re L (A Child) [2015] EWFC 15
Re A and B (Children Brussels II Revised Article 15 (2014) A and B (Children - Brussels II Revised - Art 15) [2014] EWHC 3516 (Fam)
Irena regularly undertakes work including clients of foreign nationalities and clients based abroad involved in care proceedings, relocation cases, abduction cases and other family cases with international element. She is a member of the Family Law Advanced Panel (Abduction & Wardship), member of Resolution, Association of Lawyers for Children and Child Abduction Lawyers' Association. She is the only Slovene speaking care lawyer in the UK.
She is a member of The Family Law Panel and regularly provides pro bono advice to parents that contact her through Only Dads or Only Mums.
Irena is committed to work with the local community and has done so whilst being in the Reading office through extensive involvement with local charitable organisations and pro-bono work that the staff at the Reading Office undertook under Irena's leadership. This included extensive involvement with Flag DV, Alana House, and BWA - Crossing Bridges. Irena herself undertakes pro-bono work with all the above organisations and has been a trustee of Flag DV charity since 2016.
Job Titles:
- BH & O LLP As a Paralegal
Jack joined BH&O LLP as a paralegal after recently graduating from the University of Reading with both LLM and LLB degrees in law. Jack has a particular interest in the long-standing legal rights of families and children, politics and philosophy. Prior to returning to education, Jack worked as a chef at a Michelin-starred level in establishments around the Oxfordshire and Reading areas. He still enjoys cooking for family and friends and in his spare time can be found on the golf-course, playing football or socialising with friends'.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Consultant
- Solicitor
- Trustee
- Member of the Law Society 's Children Panel
Janet Quartly is a associate consultant solicitor who studied law in Manchester and who, in 2002, qualified as a solicitor at the Manchester office of a nationwide commercial law firm.
She has considerable experience in Public Law children work involving social services and adoption, having worked for 16 years in a well-respected local government department, latterly as the Deputy Principal of the department. Janet assisted the Principal to lead a large team of solicitors who each exclusively practise Public Law children work.
Janet has been a member of the Law Society's Children Panel since 2006.
She has volunteered in education, previously holding the post of Vice Chair of Governors at an Oxfordshire primary school. Janet is currently the Co-Chair of a charitable organisation run by the parents of an Oxfordshire secondary school, raising money to advance the development of its pupils.
Janet is also a Trustee of a local charity whose work benefits children in the local area.
Janet combines her experience with empathy and integrity. Her people skills allow her to develop excellent professional working relationships. Through her hard working approach, Janet is able to achieve an understanding of the needs of her clients so that she may bring clear assistance and guidance to each case.
Jayne is our Office Manager.
Jayne has over 25 years' experience working in various solicitor's firms. She started as a receptionist, and has worked as a secretary, accounts assistant and has spent the last 12 years as Office Manager.
In her spare time she enjoys walking, reading and is currently studying for a Degree with the Open University.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Solicitor
- Member of Resolution
Karen Newman is a consultant solicitor having qualified in 2002. She studied law at university and then went on to the London College of Law to obtain her professional qualifications. She completed her training at a leading firm in the South East in 2002 and has continued to specialise in family law at various firms in and around Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire throughout her career.
Karen practises exclusively in family law and is an experienced family solicitor dealing with divorce, separation, reconciliation, resolution of financial claims including maintenance, property, pensions and company matters, private Children Act matters, protection from domestic abuse, cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements.
She has particular interest in divorce and the resolution of financial matters, and has wide experience with cases ranging from modest assets to those of more complexity and higher value.
Karen is formerly an Accredited Resolution specialist in private children and domestic abuse matters.
Karen is a member of Resolution and was previously the secretary for Berkshire and Buckinghamshire Resolution.
Karen is a trained collaborative lawyer and collaborates in all areas of family disputes including children and financial disputes. Karen currently is the co-pod liaison officer for the South Bucks East Berks collaborative pod and is a member of Resolutions Dispute Resolution group.
Karen has also written fact sheets, advertorials, newsletters and articles for various magazines and Resolution and has been a guest speaker on local radio.
Karen has provided training for Women's Aid and various networking groups for example the Chamber of Commerce.
Karen is also a registered Mediator with the Family Mediation Council.
Levin Nahmad joined BH&O LLP in March 2023. Levin is completing an apprenticeship with Damar Training as part of his training to become a legal admin assistant.
Levin studied history, politics, sociology & psychology at A level, and wants to gain experience in the legal sector to start his career.
In his spare time, he plays in a 5 a side football league, attends the theatre, and enjoys cooking with his partner.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Co - Written by
Ruth Hawkins is a founding partner of Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP.
Ruth is an experienced family solicitor, having qualified in 1997, and has been a member of the Law Society's Children Panel since 2005, which means that she specialises in childcare and private children law, and complex children litigation, and is able to represent children in court proceedings, as well as parents and family members.
Ruth also became a family mediator in 2012 and mediates in all areas of family disputes including children and financial disputes, and has recently qualified as a child inclusive mediator.
Ruth specialises in acting for parents and family members, grandparents and aunts and uncles, as well as children (via their Guardians) in court proceedings including care proceedings, private law disputes, adoption and wardship.
As well as being a member of the Law Society's Children Panel, Ruth is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children and Resolution and the Family Mediators Association. Ruth is also a Family Law Panel member through Only Mums/Only Dads and provides assistance through that scheme and is also a regular contributor to their publications.
Ruth is a Trustee of Abingdon Carousel, the Children's Centre in Abingdon, and is a passionate advocate for community services, especially for those more vulnerable members of the community.
She is rated in Chambers & Partners in Band 2 as someone who "comes highly recommended for her private and publicly funded practice involving children issues, with sources commending her courteous and efficient manner", and is considered to be "sensible, pragmatic and a good person to work with - she really chivvys everything along." She focuses her practice on children work, and has particular expertise in mediation. "She has a flexible, imaginative approach to mediation."
Chambers notes "She is unfailingly calm, patient and courteous. She is supportive of her clients, but manages expectations well. She applies common sense, wisdom and pragmatism in equal measure and her non-combative but authoritative style is highly effective."
Ruth prides herself in acting for her clients in a humane, compassionate way, and is well regarded for her problem-solving approach.
Ruth Sharon is a consultant solicitor and joined BH&O in August 2020.
Ruth worked for 20 years at Ison Harrison solicitors in Leeds developing a team of family lawyers with a reputation for excellence and client care. Ruth then travelled extensively in south America and Africa acting as a consultant to develop legal processes with a family and client centred approach.
Ruth remains involved with this charitable consultancy work, but is delighted to be a part of the BH&O team where she specialises in acting for parents in care proceedings, child disputes following relationship breakdown, and cases of domestic violence.
Ruth is empathetic and approaches each client and case as unique. She seeks to understand, and build trusting relationships to help empower her clients to navigate the legal process.