Pictured: (l-r) Mike Vale, Karen Moores and Mauro Vinti 

Midlands law firm Sydney Mitchell LLP has expanded their Family team with the recent appointment of Mike Vale. Mike is a well-known lawyer in the Midlands and has handled many complex divorce cases involving multi-million pound assets.

The family team has been growing in reputation in recent years led by partners, Karen Moores and Mauro Vinti, and is regularly involved in complex matters involving substantial personal and business property, investments and pensions.

Michael Vale is highly respected across the West Midlands where he has practised exclusively in family law for some 30 years. Mike has been recommended in previous editions of the Legal 500 as "highly regarded".

The addition of Mike to the team is a major coup for the firm and recognition of the department's flourishing reputation and expertise.

Karen Moores said: "We are delighted that a lawyer of Mike's seniority and quality has agreed to join the department. His experience and skills can only help to enhance the service that we already offer to our clients."

Sydney Mitchell recognises that going through a separation can be a traumatic time. For this reason the firm offers an individual relationship with one advisor. Each of the lawyers in the department has a breadth of knowledge that allows them to fully manage cases with multiple issues. In addition, with one of the largest family law teams in Birmingham, the resources are available to ensure that larger cases are dealt with efficiently and to a high standard.

Michael Vale commented: "This has been an important move for me. In making the decision to join a new firm I was looking for a team that already undertook high quality work and where client care and client relationships were important. It has been a delight to become part of such a vibrant, knowledgeable and dedicated group of family lawyers. I feel sure that we will be able to continue to expand and enhance the service that Sydney Mitchell offers."

The firm also offers a Collaborative Law service for clients who wish to try and resolve the consequences of their separation without the need to resort to the court. Collaborative Law involves a commitment from the parties not to resort to the court whilst negotiations are ongoing. All negotiations take place in face-to-face meetings attended by the couple and their solicitors. The service at Sydney Mitchell is provided by consultant Judi Wood who was one of the first collaboratively trained lawyers in Birmingham and who is currently chair of the Birmingham Collaborative Law group.

Sydney Mitchell LLP has offices in Birmingham City Centre, Sheldon and Shirley.