Career history, qualifications & memberships
My education
Epsom College, 1990 to 1995
The University of St Andrews, 1995 to 1999 (MA Hons, Modern History)
The College of Law in York, 1999 to 2000 (Common Professional Examination)
The College of Law in York, 2000 to 2001 (Legal Practice Course)
Resolution, 2010 (Collaborative Family Law)
Resolution, 2014 (Family Mediation)
The Coaching Academy, 2018 to 2021 (Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching - distinction)*
The Coaching Academy, 2021 to 2023 (Diploma in Corporate & Executive Coaching - distinction)**
My career to date
Withers LLP, 2001 to 2003 (training contract)
Withers LLP, 2003 to 2008 (Assistant / Associate Solicitor)
Mills & Reeve LLP, 2008 to 2017 (Senior Associate & then Principal Associate)
Stewarts Law LLP, 2017 to 2020 (Senior Associate & then Legal Director)
Ed Heaton Coaching (established 2020)
My current professional memberships
Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF)***
Associate Member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association)****
Member and Treasurer of CFL North Committee*****
Member of Resolution’s Training & Learning Committee
Professional recognition
Listed annually as a "Prominent Figure" in Family Law for the best part of a decade by CityWealth
Referred to first as an “Associate to Watch” and then as a “Star Associate” before being listed as a Ranked Individual by the legal directory, Chambers & Partners UK
Featured in the legal directory, Legal 500
Ranked as “Top Recommended, Family Lawyers Beyond London” in the 2021 Spear’s 500 directory
Other professional highlights to date
Numerous articles published in various professional journals, including The Law Society Gazette, Solicitors Journal, New Law Journal, Family Law Journal and Resolution Review
Past Chair of the West & North Yorkshire region of Resolution
Former Assessor for Resolution’s leading Family Law Specialist Accreditation programme
Former Resolution accredited specialist – financial remedy advocacy
Former Family Mediator
Collaborative Family Law practitioner
(* Accredited by the International Coaching Federation and the CPD Standards Office)
(** Accredited by the CPD Standards Office)
(*** The ICF is “the leading global organization for coaches and coaching… dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals”)
(**** Resolution is a community of over 6,500 family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way)
(***** CFL North is a committee committed to raising the profile of Collaborative Family Law and to the provision of “soft skill” professional training to Collaborative Family Law practitioners across the North)