Behind the scenes: Life at Ribet Myles

In spring 2021 Ribet Myles launched, embarking on an exciting new venture that marked a new dawn for us and our clients. Since then, our team has flourished and continues to grow. We have had a series of high-profile successes in national and international rankings and important results for our clients – plus lots to celebrate. Here, we share a look behind the scenes at what makes our team so special and what makes us tick.

A new dawn

When we launched as a specialist practice dealing with complicated divorce, financial and children-related cases, we recognised the shift that was happening in London’s family law scene.

Ribet Myles’ founding partner Julian Ribet comments: “London’s family law scene is undergoing a changing of the guard as the stalwarts of the past 30 years look to retirement. Alistair, Laura and I were trained by, and partners with, some of the best family lawyers of their generation and we wanted to continue the high-level family law services that clients expect, but also bring a fresh approach to match the way clients now want and need to be supported.”

Natasha Brown, Chartered Legal Executive, has been part of the team since launch. She shared her highlights of the firm’s growth: “It's all been exciting because I've been on board from the beginning, seeing it evolve. It’s a highlight to see the firm continuing to grow and we've had some great people join…”

One of our recent additions to the team is Anna Stokeld, Consultant Solicitor, who commented on the fresh approach in the team and what it has been like to join: “They're very modern thinking. The calibre of expertise is high. Everyone has a cracking work ethic and at the same time people are also caring - it's just a good place to work.”

Sorcha Gray, Solicitor shared what attracted her to join Ribet Myles: “My reason for joining was I wanted to work at a firm that seeks to serve clients in a holistic and bespoke way and join a progressive firm where I can work with international peers and build my practice long term. Being given the opportunity to join a firm with a glowing reputation, not only with employees and clients, but also peers, is fantastic.”

“And I could tell that they were incredibly progressive and modern in their approach to the law and the way that they serve clients. I think being an entrepreneurial law firm, it's got a sort of energy to it that's incredibly refreshing.”

A passion for supporting and empowering clients

At Ribet Myles, we act with compassion and integrity, with an empathetic and supportive approach – passionate about truly empowering our clients. We understand that divorce

and relationship breakdowns are upsetting and stressful. It is a time of substantial upheaval and each one of the team brings a personal touch, establishing close relationships meaning our clients feel that they are carefully looked after, and we work with each client to establish exactly what they would like to achieve and how best to achieve it.

Alison Schmidt, Solicitor, explains: “It's a certain privilege for someone to come to you when they're in one of the most difficult periods of their life - when their relationship has broken down or they've made the decision to bring that relationship to an end, and it's not something they've ever had experience of - you can help them navigate their way through that.”

Cassandra Patten, Executive Assistant, who supports both the Ribet Myles team and also our clients shared why she feels this is so important: “I love the personal side of family law - there's a story to every case, every person, every circumstance. I enjoy speaking to people and helping people - I feel like I can actually assist in achieving a resolution for our clients.”

Empowering our clients every step of the way is very important to us at Ribet Myles, as Anna explains: “…you have a lot of client contact, and you help people who are very vulnerable through very difficult situations.”

Sorcha added: “It's important to ensure that the client feels that they have an element of control in the process – that they can feel confident and that they have a full understanding of what is happening, what the next stage will be and what’s the likely response we're going to get.”

Work that keeps us at the top of our game

At Ribet Myles, we have a track record of handling complicated family law cases - working with clients from all over the world. This means that each member of our team works on complex and varied matters. We’ve gained recognition from directories, awards, peers, and clients – being listed as recognised and respected leaders in our field; working on high profile cases that command media attention.

We asked the team what they love about the work that they do. Anna commented: “Really interesting cases. I love working with Julian – he’s very good at what he does.”

Sorcha explained: “You feel like you're being pushed as a lawyer but that you've got the support there if you need it. There’s a perfect blend of feeling challenged, but not overwhelmed.”

Alison added: “I love my role; it lets me do some really interesting and challenging cases. It's very fast paced, we work on lots of different matters and have a lot of exposure to the courts, the judges, barristers, and at a firm like ours, which is really high end in terms of the work we do, you get to work with some really bright people - it's great - people at the top of their game, which is inspirational.”

A truly supportive team

“It's incredibly collaborative and supportive, there's a real feel of camaraderie, celebrating each other's wins and supporting each other on the more difficult days”

Work that keeps us at the top of our game is just one part of what makes our team special. It is also the team work and the supportive culture at Ribet Myles, as Sorcha explains above.

Natasha adds: “The work that we get is really quite varied - and it’s a team, everyone gets stuck in so that each member is an important cog within that team. It's just a nice place to work.

“I feel completely supported. And I think the team ethos is so important.”

Our clients need support that fits around their lives and their family. We work responsively and flexibly with their needs and it is the same for our team, as Cassandra explains: “Everybody gels together and brings the best out in each other - it's really good. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to do the job that I love while being able to be a mum as well – and I think it's just why it works for all of us.

“We've all got the impetus to put our all in because we're able to work in this more flexible way - the more that we can work with our family, the more that we want to give to our work. It's brilliant.”

Anna sums up: “It's lovely, everyone's very fair. Everyone's very conscientious. They're kind.”

Growing future talent

At Ribet Myles, we take great pride in working as a close-knit team on highly specialist and expert matters and growing the talent of tomorrow is an important part of this.

We were delighted to announce the appointment of our first Ribet Myles trainee solicitor in our first year and have since also welcomed two new paralegals over the summer. Ribet Myles’ founding partner Alistair Myles commented:

“It is fantastic that the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority has recognised the quality and standard of work we are carrying out at Ribet Myles and becoming licensed to train the solicitors of tomorrow within our first year of trading is a real privilege.”

Creating the best environment for future talent is important to us. Natasha explains how the founders’ approach to recruitment, mentoring and team growth has made such an impact: “It's very important that they've got the right people and I think that they've really done a good job of that because the team just works.

“It's just so important - you feel like at ease, you feel valued - there's not that sort of invisible wall.”

For those joining the Ribet Myles team, Anna shared her experience: “Everybody knows everybody, and we all work well as a team. It's very welcoming.”

Sorcha sums up: “They’re incredibly appreciative and there’s the support and gratitude – they've just got the working environment really spot on.”

Getting the best possible outcome for our clients and creating a fantastic environment for our highly valued team is what makes all our work worthwhile. Every moment of our journey as a firm has been rewarding and empowering for us and our clients - and we are looking forward to what the future brings.

Click here to find out more about us and for more information about the opportunities available at Ribet Myles, you can contact us here.