Gemma Keats- Specialist Family Law Solicitor
Let’s find out more about our Specialist Family Law Solicitor, Gemma Keats.
Naturally, when I help a client through their separation or divorce, I find out a lot of personal information. So, it is only fair that you have the opportunity to find out a little about me too. Starting with how I decided I wanted to become a solicitor and why I chose to specialise in Family Law.
Did you always want to be a solicitor?
No. When I finished school, and most of my way through university, I had no idea what I wanted to do. However, as no one in my family had been to university I knew I wanted to go. I decided to study my A-Levels at Milton Keynes College rather than at school because they offered a wider range of subjects. To give me options, I took Accounting, Psychology, Law and English Literature and English Language.
I really enjoyed Law, in part due to my brilliant tutors, Duncan Lovell and Elaine Kimber. I also thought it would be a good transferable degree to help whichever career I chose to go into. So I decided to study Law at the University of Hertfordshire. In my second year, I was selected to work in the Pro Bono Law Clinic. Gaining this first-hand experience of what Law was like in practice gave me a passion for Law. It was then that I decided I wanted to become a solicitor.
Why Family Law?
I always said I did not want to work in Family Law. That was before I realised how positive a solicitor’s role can be. My first case in the Law Clinic at the University of Hertfordshire was to advise on divorce and the related financial claims. I had always considered a separation to be negative, but it really opened my eyes to see how life after a separation can be positive with the right support in place. A big part of a solicitors role is about helping people move on with their lives. Following this initial insight and alongside the final year of my degree, I took a Paralegal role in the Family Department at a high street firm based in St Albans. I gained a lot of hands-on experience. This role grew my passion for Family Law. That was 16 years ago. I have worked almost exclusively in Family Law since.
What advice do you have for anyone who wishes to start a career in law?
Firstly, gain as much work experience as you can early on in your career journey. It was the experience I gained during university that set me on the path to qualification.
Secondly, find a supportive mentor. I have been extremely fortunate to have had the benefit of some great mentors over my career, including David Tilley (now retired), Gemma Noren and Rebecca Delaney. All of whom worked exclusively in Family Law. I would not be where I am without them.
Why did you set up Keats Family Law (and in the middle of a pandemic)?
Like a lot of people, the pandemic made me reflect on what is most important. My children and my work have always been my biggest priorities. It goes without saying my children are everything. But I am also extremely fortunate to have a career I love with a passion for helping people. I wanted to ensure what I do in my working life reflects my personal values to be inclusive and respectful of those involved in any decisions being made and to take steps to strive for better processes more reflective of the realities individuals face going through separation.
For this reason, I set up Keats Family Law and put in place practices that are extremely client centered and family-focused and that allow our approach to be tailored to each client.
Our practices also promote an amicable approach to separation. This is because I feel extremely passionate about taking a conciliatory and non-confrontational approach to resolving disputes and avoiding Court proceedings where possible.
What from your personal life motivates you?
My parents separated and divorced when I was very young. It was not as amicable as it could have been. They did not have a great co-parenting relationship which resulted in me not having a relationship with each of my parents at different times for a long time. This has influenced how I help my clients resolve their disputes. I am more aware of how separation can affect the whole family. I have therefore always minimised the acrimony and contention that can come with a separation.
Over the years, I have lost count of the number of clients I have helped to separate and divorce amicably. This has shown me there really is a better way to separate. I am therefore keen to promote an amicable separation and this led to one of the main reasons Keats Family Law was born.
In recent years I divorced my husband after 14 years together and this has enforced to me how important, particularly when there are children involved, an amicable approach with to separation with open communication is and how this helps keep the process far simpler for everyone involved. It certainly also reduces the time, stress and money involved.
Tell us about your family.
I live with my three children.
Also, I have a large and complicated extended family, I am one of nine siblings, and this involves various blended, functional and dysfunctional families. Coming from such a large family I have experienced and seen many different types of relationships- healthy, toxic and anywhere in between. This has offered me a unique insight that can help me relate to some of what my clients may experience during their relationship breakdown. It has also helped me better communicate with a diverse range of people.
Have you always lived and worked in Milton Keynes?
No. However, I have always lived and worked in the Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire areas. I was born in Milton Keynes then grew up in Leighton Buzzard. I later moved to Hatfield for university whilst working in St Albans and Watford. Then I moved to Hemel Hempstead in 2008. Once I finished my degree I worked for a local Family Law firm in Milton Keynes before commencing my Training Contract originally in Chesham and thereafter in Hemel Hempstead. Before I returned to live in Milton Keynes in 2016 where I maintained my job in Hemel Hempstead at the time working for the Family Law firm I qualified at. After my second son was born I returned to work in Milton Keynes. Shortly after I set up Keats Family Law which is based in Milton Keynes.
How do you spend your free time?
Like most people with young children, my life revolves around them. My sons dictate practically everything I do. So often my spare time is spent either running around a soft play area or park or negotiating mealtimes and bedtime. When I get the opportunity the rest of my spare time is spent reading and learning- as solicitors we are required to make a commitment to lifelong learning with continuing our professional development; and another reason I enjoy working in family law is it links into every area of law and life so I get the opportunity to have a very wide knowledge base.
Just for fun…
Dogs or cats?
Dogs.
Tea or coffee?
Tea.
Sweets or chocolate?
Sweets.
What is your favourite food?
This is a tough one because I love food. I can’t pick just one so it would have to be my nan’s shepherd’s pie, my home-cooked chilli, Nando’s or Banana Tree.
What is your favourite TV show?
Would you rather be able to speak every language or speak to animals?
Both would be amazing. However, I would choose to speak to animals because we already have interpreters. I would like to learn more languages at some stage though.
What is your most used saying?
Everything happens for a reason.
If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want to be stranded with?
I would want to be with my children wherever I am, so if it was a habitable and safe place with them; and then with someone around who was knowledgeable in survival and could help find a way to get home.
If you were in a Zombie Apocalypse, which 3 people would you want by your side?
Taking inspiration from my children, Thor; then a medic/scientist and an army sniper.