Associate Legal Executive (FCILEx) at Lanyon Bowdler LLP
Anne Lewis
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEx)
Anne joined the family department at Lanyon Bowdler in January 2007, shortly after completing her studies. Since then she has been advising and representing clients in relation to family matters. Anne is experienced in all areas of family law but takes a particular interest in private Children Act proceedings, divorce and related financial matters. Anne prides herself on her friendly, efficient yet thorough approach to her work.
Chapter House North, Abbey Lawn, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 5DE
Licensed for 2 years
Practice Areas
Family Law
- Family Law 100%
11 Client Reviews
Overall experience
- Value For Money
- Communication
- Initial Impressions
- Approachability
- Documentation Accuracy
- Legal knowledge
About Anne Lewis
Anne joined the family department at Lanyon Bowdler in January 2007, shortly after completing her studies. Since then she has been advising and representing clients in relation to family matters. Anne is experienced in all areas of family law but takes a particular interest in private Children Act proceedings, divorce and related financial matters. Anne prides herself on her friendly, efficient yet thorough approach to her work.
Languages Spoken: English
Contact Anne Lewis
Address
Lanyon Bowdler LLP
Chapter House North
Abbey Lawn
Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY2 5DE
Phone 01743 280257
WebsiteResume
WORK EXPERIENCE
Title
Name
Duration
Associate Legal Executive (FCILEx)
Lanyon Bowdler LLP
?-present
Lanyon Bowdler and Anne Lewis, Family Solicitor
I should have provided a review a while ago as my childcare proceedings concluded in February 2024. But I have struggled to find the right words - and am not sure it is really over!
I engaged Lanyon Bowdler and their Family Solicitor,, Anne Lewis in May 2023 on a matter of divorce and childcare arrangements. On the childcare arrangements, Anne guided me through ten very intense months involving four family Court hearings, a CAFCASS interview, a S7 report, a supplementary S7 report, and multiple legal orders including a Final order.
When I first met Anne in LB office, I had a few days earlier experienced an unexpected and life changing personal shock involving my relationship, and my daughter, and was not in the best of places. From a legal perspective, it was also a tough situation - we had no information. Anne anticipated allegations against me which, sure enough, did happen - allegations are really tough because the law requires them to be fully considered, however unfounded. And this takes a lot of time and energy which, in turn, can have an impact on children and relationships. Family matters like this involve the complexities of people, and that also makes it really tough - it's not just about law and fact, but the makeup of people.
But ten months later, in spite of that and other challenges, a final Court proceedings was, at the last minute, cancelled and an outcome reached which was what I sought right at the outset, was supported by the professionals , and most importantly, was the outcome that gives my daughter the stability and support she wants and needs. I think someone said something like, 'from 0 to 100' to describe the journey we had taken, from those early days. I believe it is rare to be able to manage this kind of process to the outcome we got in that timeframe! Amazing to think back on!
And all that only happened because of Anne Lewis, and because of the law, and I think I am very lucky to have engaged Anne and have had the law to support me! What can I say?
Navigating family law is a challenging painstaking slow process, and Anne has a great knowledge of that and those processes - there are many forms, and applications to be made, draft orders written, and she guided me through those, always explaining patiently whilst moving things forwards, setting out pros and cons, being positive but being clear on risks and not creating too much expectation, taking each step at a time - that is a hard thing to do, in affairs that are so personal. As a client, my emotions, my energy and resource will ebb and flow, but you need to keep things moving forwards and focussed - there is an emotional management as well as the law and administration of it.
Anne is always quick, not allowing time to lapse, writing up everything.... and in the end there is a file so big - it is an accumulation of evidence - that tells the truth and drives the outcome - and stays around. That commitment to the recording and the detail is something I didnt fully appreciate til now. Sometimes I look at the file and feel more secure!
A critical thing was the amazing independent experts that were engaged and which really challenged everyone involved - the social workers, mediators and barristers. They were a testament to Anne, the quality of her network, and the fact that those kind of people want to work with her. It became clear there aren't that many independent experts out there at least not in our location, and they matter, because the resources available publicly sadly are very limited.
Anne was fully committed to this case - she read all my emails! There were too many! She stayed late on occasions and I believe amended her schedule and cancelled personal arrangement to accommodate legal schedules. She developed an understanding of the people involved - I truly appreciated that she recognised moments when I felt down and provided that little encouragement - small gestures can go along way.
I don't want to give the impression it's just a process to follow. It is. But, to keep it on track, there are masses of decisions to make and judgement to exercise on difficult things, and Anne was great at this, providing advice throughout, and checking in with others, if needed. And that advice extends even to the detail of approaches and communications with my former partner, texts and others.
Another thing I want to say is that, whilst I was a client and Anne supported me as such, she is fully focussed on the needs of the child. There isn't really any inconsistency - the law is set up for the child and my case must be based on the needs of the child. But still, it is a slightly different mindset to get into - and Anne guided me to think that way. I have learnt a lot from this process, and developed a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a father and what law means by 'parental responsibility'. I have always been my daughter's loving daddy, but now I think also of myself as having a job to support her development, in the way I approach my own profession, thinking strategically and objectively. And all the shared time I now experience with my child is now more special.
Writing this is difficult and I can't fully explain my experience - but the main thing I want to say is that my experience of LB and Anne Lewis was extraordinary and impacted on the most challenging and important issue I will ever experience in my life. I am very grateful and would recommend them absolutely.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 06 June, 2024
Dear Nigel, thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Child Arrangement Order
Our experience was pretty straight forward really. Anne Lewis and her colleagues were all very approachable, professional and polite. We would definitely use Lanyon Bowdler again.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 29 May, 2024
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Custody case
Anne was very thorough and professional throughout. I have used Anne before this and without doubt would use her again.
It was a pleasure working with her.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 17 May, 2024
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders
Excellent service by professional staff, I felt at ease with them almost like talking to a friend.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 06 February, 2024
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us.
Was this review helpful? Yes
My Experience With Lanyon Bowdler
When I got the letter off my ex spouse’s solicitor I didn’t know what to do, and when you have been married as long as we were and I am in my seventies the question was should I get a solicitor or just let my ex get 50/50. But if I had not got a solicitor I am not sure if I would have coped. So I know it has cost a great deal, but I know it would have cost not just money but the stress as well. Though it has been very stressful, without the guidance of Anne I’m not sure where I would be now.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 06 February, 2024
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Excellent experience on Family Law side with Anne Lewis
When needing to make Child Arrangements in regard to my son - I was keen to only pursue mediation to achieve an equitable outcome for all. However when allegations were made against me in the form of a non-molestation application, and a refusal of my son's mother to engage in mediation, I required the help of a Solicitor to take things forward and secure a Child Arrangements Order.
I'd always heard good things about Lanyon Bowdler in respect to Family Law, and engaged with them to assist me - I was always hesitant at the same time due to cost implications as LB are not the cheapest, however, after securing the finances to pursue things, I was more comfortable to engage in the process.
Anne Lewis, and other members of the team, have at all times been brutally and refreshingly honest with me, I found at all times that the most direct, and logical, and ultimately least expensive route was taken to achieve milestones in the process of securing a Child Arrangements Order, taking the emotion out of the process and keeping all things focused on our child and an outcome reasonable for all.
I was most impressed in how Anne dealt with the non-molestation application made against me, which ultimately was withdrawn by the other party, with the goalposts moving on an almost daily basis in the run up to a hearing to defend myself against these allegations - Anne was reassuring, level headed, and eventually again a reasonable resolution was come to, under some trying circumstances from the other party's solicitor's.
Eventually a couple of months later, with attention now returned to my son again, Anne had hired a local Barrister to represent me at a hearing, and thankfully in this one session (albeit around 3 hours total), was able to agree a Child Arrangements Order, without a Judge/Magistrate needing to have an input. The agreement was well written and has been adhered to in the main by both parties, a level of flexibility has returned and communication is at a more beneficial level for all.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 05 May, 2023
Thank you for leaving a review for Anne. We appreciate the time you have taken to do this and we are glad to have helped you.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Anne Lewis
I couldn’t have asked for a better service than that which was provided by Anne.
With her friendly manner coupled with her professional approach. I found Anne’s level of work on my behalf absolutely outstanding.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
A representative from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 26 April, 2023
Thank you for leaving a review, we appreciate your comments.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Efficient, knowledgeable and friendly approach at a difficult time
Anne Lewis of Lanyon Bowdler represented me in my matter of divorce. Anne was very knowledgeable, very friendly and approachable and was extremely efficient. At a time when emotions are bound to run high, Anne understood how I was feeling and was sympathetic and helped me to get through, what was for me, a veryfrustrating, upsetting and difficult time.
Anne was regularly in contact with me and always gave prompt responses. Anne’s secretary, Debbie Chatham, was also excellent and represents Anne very well and is also a credit to Lanyon Bowdler.
Very often, the public look upon solicitors as pompous and ‘stuffy’ but Anne Lewis is to the contrary and made the whole experience very personal and at times even entered into a little humour, which I really appreciated!
Whilst I hope I never have to go through something like this ever again, if I did, I would definitely use Anne Lewis in the future. I know Anne has a wealth of experience and I would not hesitate to recommend her.
Anita
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
Anne Lewis from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 14 March, 2023
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us.
Was this review helpful? Yes
The firm to trust!
Lanyon and Bowlder I highly recommend. My divorce was complicated and on my first consultation I was listened to, understood and respected by Anne.
My matter was further complicated by a custody battle and Anne referred me to Sue. I highly appreciated this referral as to this day I am also professional supported in my children’s custody battle.
Advice is straight to the point and very honest. Communication is a key element I look for and Anne was always responsive via email or a telephone call if needed.
My divorce was promptly resolved by Anne with the added bonus of no court proceedings.
I would like to thank Anne for my new found freedom and a brighter future.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
Anne Lewis from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 09 March, 2023
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Divorce proceedings
Anne had a measured and supportive application throughout a long and often tiresome process, allowing me the knowledge and comfort that my considerations were being applied professionally to a process beyond my comfort.
Lawyer named in this review: Anne Lewis
Anne Lewis from Lanyon Bowdler LLP responded to this review on 09 March, 2023
Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.
Was this review helpful? Yes