Helen Ward (solicitor)
Encyclopedia
Lady Ward, a partner at Manches, is a London lawyer.
Ward was born in Golders Green. Her mother was a painter and her father a successful businessman. Helen Gilbert, as she was, attended the fee-paying King Alfred school before studying law at Birmingham University. She qualified as a solicitor in 1978 but while still an articled clerk at the age of 22, she met her husband-to-be, Alan Ward, then a family law barrister.
Her former clients include Paloma Picasso
, Lord Lloyd-Webber
, Ian McEwan
David Seaman
and Countess Spencer In 2007 the Court of Appeal upheld a record award of £48m in favour of her client, Beverley Charman, the highest award of its kind in British legal history. Ward acts for Guy Ritchie
, estranged husband of the singer, Madonna
. On 22 February 2009 the Daily Telegraph reported that F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had taken on Ward "who is reputed to have secured Guy Ritchie a £45 million settlement in the film director's divorce from Madonna."
In 1982 she was a founder member of Resolution,which has grown into an organisation of 5000 family lawyers who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law
Known for her cool beauty and sense of style, Ward is married to the Court of Appeal judge Sir Alan Ward
. A qualified mediator, Ward is known for her effective negotiation skills as well as her absolute discretion. Ward keeps a low profile and is rarely gives interviews. She specialises in the financial consequences of relationship breakdowns, particularly in big money cases and cases with an international element, but also acts in difficult international cases involving children. She is a recorder, a deputy district judge of the Principal Registry of the Family Division of the High Court and a fellow and committee member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ( "IAML"), a worldwide association of family lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries.
Ward was born in Golders Green. Her mother was a painter and her father a successful businessman. Helen Gilbert, as she was, attended the fee-paying King Alfred school before studying law at Birmingham University. She qualified as a solicitor in 1978 but while still an articled clerk at the age of 22, she met her husband-to-be, Alan Ward, then a family law barrister.
Her former clients include Paloma Picasso
Paloma Picasso
Anne Paloma Picasso known professionally as Paloma Picasso, is a French/Spanish fashion designer and businesswoman, best known for her jewelry designs and signature perfumes. She is the youngest daughter of famed 20th-century artist Pablo Picasso and painter and writer Françoise Gilot...
, Lord Lloyd-Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
, Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan
Ian Russell McEwan CBE, FRSA, FRSL is a British novelist and screenwriter, and one of Britain's most highly regarded writers. In 2008, The Times named him among their list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945"....
David Seaman
David Seaman
David Andrew Seaman MBE is a former English football goalkeeper who played for several clubs, most notably Arsenal. He retired from the game on 13 January 2004, following a recurring shoulder injury...
and Countess Spencer In 2007 the Court of Appeal upheld a record award of £48m in favour of her client, Beverley Charman, the highest award of its kind in British legal history. Ward acts for Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie
Guy Stuart Ritchie is an English screenwriter and film maker who directed Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver, RocknRolla and Sherlock Holmes.-Early life:...
, estranged husband of the singer, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
. On 22 February 2009 the Daily Telegraph reported that F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone had taken on Ward "who is reputed to have secured Guy Ritchie a £45 million settlement in the film director's divorce from Madonna."
In 1982 she was a founder member of Resolution,which has grown into an organisation of 5000 family lawyers who believe in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law
Known for her cool beauty and sense of style, Ward is married to the Court of Appeal judge Sir Alan Ward
Alan Ward (judge)
Sir Alan Hylton Ward , styled The Rt Hon. Lord Justice Ward, is a judge in the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and a member of the Privy Council. He is married to leading London divorce solicitor, Helen Ward , a partner in Manches...
. A qualified mediator, Ward is known for her effective negotiation skills as well as her absolute discretion. Ward keeps a low profile and is rarely gives interviews. She specialises in the financial consequences of relationship breakdowns, particularly in big money cases and cases with an international element, but also acts in difficult international cases involving children. She is a recorder, a deputy district judge of the Principal Registry of the Family Division of the High Court and a fellow and committee member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ( "IAML"), a worldwide association of family lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries.
Quotations
'The best ammunition against litigation is to tell the client about the damage that they are going to do to their family. Divorce should carry a health warning: it damages children and it damages relationships'See also
- Anne-Marie Hutchinson
- Fiona ShackletonFiona ShackletonFiona Shackleton, Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia LVO is an English solicitor, who has represented members of the British Royal Family and celebrities, including Sir Paul McCartney and The Duke of York...
- Jane Simpson
- James StewartJames Stewart (solicitor)James Stewart , is a London based solicitor and collaborative lawyer, who acts for celebrities and others in often high-profile and international divorce and family law cases. A partner at Manches, he is top ranked in the Legal 500, Spears WMS Legal Index and in Chambers UK 2011...
- International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Collaborative Family Law