Our Team

Richard Gregorian is the firm’s Principal, a very experienced solicitor who, prior to his transition into family law, was a solicitor and held partnerships in the City of London in banking and commercial law. 

“As much as I enjoyed the prestige, which accompanied working as a partner in the City of London for top tier banks, hedge funds, accountants and the like, it would be difficult to say that anyone in that role could have a passion for their work or personally align with their clients.  Still less, could it be said that the subject matter of their work reflects their personality or that they can offer a unique legal service which guarantees a successful outcome for a client in every case.

Commercial lawyering did, however, teach me the importance of a “can-do” approach, client focused service (available and often working seven days a week) and a relentless commitment to achieving the outcome the client is seeking.

Having witnessed the weaknesses, inconsistencies and incongruities in the family justice system, first hand in 2008, through my own personal experience of successfully defending international relocation proceedings (“leave to remove”), I began working with Gavin Emerson, a vastly experienced and effective therapist and communication and conflict resolution expert. 

Quite simply, I would not practise family law without the creativity and insight that Gavin Emerson gives to the practice.  It is wrong on so many levels to adopt, without challenge, the narrative of a client who is distressed, subjective, reactive, and without any understanding of conflict engagement and/or mental health and reflect that into the type of “he says, she says” blaming correspondence and court documentation which gives family lawyers a bad name and results in families being harmed.  There is no value in that as a creative, child-centred legal professional.  However, as the saying goes, “if you only have a hammer (legal training) you see every problem as a nail (seeking to out blame the opposition purely on the facts).”

Gavin Emerson is an extremely effective communication and conflict resolution expert and therapist, with an excellent understanding of how to apply his knowledge in the family justice system.  This comes from being a practitioner brief strategic therapist for over 25 years. He has been instrumental in developing the brief strategic therapeutic approaches employed at out clinics in Medico-Legal cases and has been involved in both the writing and teaching of courses for mental health professionals, psychiatrists, doctors and nurses.

“My experience as a therapist has enabled me to gain an intrinsic understanding of human decision-making, communication styles and the management and alleviation of distress and anxiety.  This means that by working with Richard we are able to formulate a unique joint legal-psychological strategy with the objective of a successful outcome both during and after litigation.  This includes improving, where possible, the distress and poor communication between the parties which lie at the basis of every family law dispute.  

In addition, I am also able to offer therapeutic support for our clients so they are best able themselves to articulate these concerns when required.” 

A full explanation of our Unique Approach can be found here and Our Services can be found here.

Contact our Family Law Solicitors in Guildford, Surrey and Central London

Based in Guildford, Surrey and Wimbledon, London we can help you. If you have a family dispute that needs resolving, we are here to help and look forward to your call. Please feel free to contact us, or call us on 01483 826 470