The Family Law team of Birmingham and London law firm Martineau this week celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Martineau brought in experienced family lawyer, Mary Kaye, in 2006, to set up and grow a Family Law team as part of the Private Capital Group, which looks after the needs of high net worth individuals nationally and internationally.

Mary began the team alone, but she really hit the ground running. Her client focused approach and hard work attracted a growing number of entrepreneurs and international business professionals. The practice went from strength to strength and within three years she had secured Clare Darley as a Senior Associate and Marie Kilgallen as an Assistant Solicitor, together with a growing support team.

Last year Martineau successfully recruited Zahra Pabani, a very well recognised figure in the family arena, as a Partner and a further assistant Solicitor, Fiona Farrell.  Martineau were delighted to attract such talent particularly given Zahra's passion and commitment to family law and her proven record of achievement and success within her field.  Zahra's arrival was a significant boost for the Martineau Family Team and both Zahra and Fiona added further strength and depth to the team. This year they have recruited another solicitor, Hannah Randall.

Mary has managed to continue to grow and develop the team through a recession and when asked what the secret of her success is - Mary said "quite simply I demand excellence in terms of client service and delivery and find solutions when clients are faced with complicated financial situations on marriage and relationship breakdown, that combined with sheer hard work and the recruitment of good people has allowed me to grow a successful team at Martineau".

Mary and Zahra lead the team together and act for affluent, high profile clients such as sports personalities and CEO's of FTSE 100 companies. Mary's background is in international and EU law and this certainly puts her in great stead to advise on family law matters that often affect individuals around the world. It is Martineau's understanding of the commercial pressures business owners and managers face nationally and internationally that helps the team develop the best solution to each set of unique circumstances.  Mary is a particular specialist in all matters related to children and in particular international child abduction cases.

Family law continues to twist and turn as we await the decision of the Law Commission in terms of whether Pre and Post nuptial agreements will be binding in the UK. Also we hold our breath as the Law Lords finalise their decision in relation to the case of Kernott and Jones which deals with how a property should be divided when a couple who are not married separate. These are key decisions that will affect so many people. Much of the work the team undertakes concerns asset protection, with Martineau regularly giving advice and representing people in relation to setting up wealth protection tools, such as pre and post nuptial agreements, as well as living together agreements, which are also known as cohabitation contracts.

Mary and Zahra continue to have the same focus, in that it is all about the client. They remain firm on their path to always providing clients with an exceptional, bespoke service that is delivered with commercial and emotional intelligence.

Bill Barker, Managing Partner, of Martineau comments: "we are incredibly proud of what the Family Law team has achieved in such a relatively short time. We are totally committed to our Private Capital offering as we believe the individuals that make up the Private Wealth Sector are more demanding than ever in terms of what legal services they need and want."