The award-winning UK fertility & family law expert calls for further diversity within the profession
Louisa Ghevaert is a leading expert in UK fertility and family law and now heads up the fertility and parenting law practice at Michelmores Solicitors. She has dealt with numerous well-known UK fertility law cases and has pioneered the practice of fertility and family law in the UK.
Louisa’s award-winning legal practice covers international and UK surrogacy, donor conception, fertility treatment law, posthumous conception, co-parenting and known donation, inter-country adoption, divorce and finances, cohabitation and complex children and family law.
What was your route into the profession?
After graduating from the University of Bristol with an Honours Degree in History, I spent two years at the College of Law in Guildford where I undertook the Common Professional Entrance (CPE) and Legal Practice Course (LPC). I went on to qualify as a solicitor in 2000. Since then, I’ve been very fortunate to pursue a specialist cutting-edge legal career in fertility and family law.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Helping to win recognition for fertility law in the UK. It’s a very specialist and fast-moving area of law that struggles to keep pace with the creation of modern families and it can be a legal minefield for prospective parents and their children.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Baroness Brenda Hale as she’s Britain’s most senior female judge, a family lawyer, and the first woman to sit in the Supreme Court of the UK.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I’d become a writer. I really enjoy writing articles and publications as part of my legal practice and I’d love to turn my hand to some creative fiction.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
It’s currently Martha Costello QC, played by Maxine Peake, from the hit BBC TV series Silk. Martha’s savvy, strong and hard-working. It was great to see a lead female role in this prime time legal drama, written by former barrister Peter Moffat.
What change would you make to the profession?
I’d like to see more women take up senior posts in the legal profession and for there to be greater diversity to reflect our society as a whole.
How do you relax?
Having a hard-won family of my own, I relax by spending my time at home with my young family. I like to travel and visit new places with them.
