FEATURE
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURES : TOM BANKS
Partner - Punch Robson head of family Jenn Williamson .
Although her work can be harrowing , Jenn Williamson is upbeat , positive and warm . Acting as both legal representative and support to some of society ’ s most vulnerable people , the attributes of empathy , approachability and understanding are deeply ingrained .
It ’ s been two years since Hartlepoolborn Jenn joined Punch Robson as an associate solicitor and in a very short time she showed her aptitude in a taxing role , being promoted to partner in January 2021 .
“ I was looking to join a firm who took an interest in progressing their staff and I found it in Punch Robson ,” says Jenn , who studied at Northumbria University and had nine years of family law experience under her belt before she came onboard .
“ Not only do the company have a fantastic commercial and litigation team , but they have the benefit of some unique elements , such as a legal aid contract .”
Every day , Jenn and her team of five deal with a staggering 50 to 80 ongoing cases per fee earner at any one time , with more regularly coming through the doors .
The majority of Jenn ’ s clients are the victims of domestic abuse , those looking for restraining or non-molestation orders and females at risk of honour-based violence , as well as parents fighting to keep their children .
Thanks to her accreditation with the Law Society on the Children ’ s Panel , CAFCASS – the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service – often allocates cases to her to represent children in proceedings .
“ These sorts of proceedings have a massive impact on lives ,” says Jenn . “ As a loving aunt to three nephews , I can totally relate to the trauma my clients must go through , and it ’ s impossible not to become emotionally invested to some degree .”
Though it ’ s uncertain how Teesside stacks up against other regions , Jenn concedes that the majority of public law cases are fuelled by chaotic lifestyles and drink or substance misuse , that this is a huge problem , and one that wasn ’ t helped by the pandemic .
“ During Covid the courts didn ’ t stop , but what did stop were some substance abuse services , so even if people did want to get help to change , they couldn ’ t ,” she explains .
What also seems to be lacking in many cases is a family support network .
“ Some clients have no support network at all , no family member to take care of their children while they get their lives back together , so the child , or children , can end up in long-term foster care or be placed for adoption .
“ What ’ s heartbreaking is that children of a certain age , even those in chronic neglect situations , usually have an emotional attachment to their parents . They just don ’ t understand why they can ’ t return to them .
“ I cope by having faith in the court system . They have the child ’ s best interests at heart , so I take comfort in that .”
Jenn ’ s work can start as soon as a mother gives birth to a child .
“ My job isn ’ t just about giving legal advice , I also act as a support mechanism , and that ’ s tested when a woman has just given birth and her hormones are heightened . To have a baby taken away is just horrific for them .”
Despite this sadness , Jenn is at pains to stress that her work also gives her great satisfaction .
“ It empowers me , actually ,” she smiles . “ I work closely with some refuges in the area , often referring clients to them because of their incredible work with domestic abuse victims .
“ The help and advice they give to both male and female victims is just amazing , and their support is invaluable .
“ They will refer their clients to me . It really is a case of women pulling together , and that warms my heart .”
Jenn is accredited by Resolution , specialising in private children and domestic abuse work .
For many in domestic abuse situations ,
the idea of seeing a lawyer is frightening , not only because they worry about how they will pay for legal help , but because they assume that anything they say will be reported to police or social services
“ It ’ s a misconception that many people have ,” Jenn agrees .
“ So I must reiterate that we are here to help and you mustn ’ t be afraid to reach out . Our duty is to give independent advice , to offer the best prospect of success and to support people to get to their end goal , which is a life free of abuse .”
The truth is that for many victims it ’ s difficult to have a private conversation , so Punch Robson makes the process as safe as possible .
“ People can contact us via Facebook or Twitter , via our online system or by email – whatever is safest for them ,” says Jenn .
When it comes to paying for legal advice , the law recognises the difficulty of accessing money .
“ Even if on paper a person appears financially sound , victims of domestic violence can be financially controlled , so we offer a free half-hour session to assess whether they would be eligible for legal aid ,” says Jenn .
Of her cases , Jenn admits that around 50 per cent will return to the same or a similar abusive situation , but that leaves half taking the step to begin their lives over .
“ Just recently I came to work and a card had been sent saying , ‘ Thank you ’. It really brought a tear to my eye , knowing that someone who had been through so much was finally happy and safe .”
Find out more about Punch Robson and its services at punchrobson . co . uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 39