Ailsa Gilhespy

I am a specialist family solicitor with over 30 years of experience in relationship breakdown. I am a collaboratively trained lawyer and until recently a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel as well as an accredited Family Mediator. I am also an active member of the North East Collaborative Group.

I am acutely aware that clients who come to see me are often experiencing one of the most challenging & difficult times in their lives. I aim to be supportive & empathetic yet robust & realistic in the advice & guidance I give to clients. It is extremely important for people to know that there can be a positive outcome following tough & problematic circumstances.

My long experience of relationship breakdown has led me to believe that more often than not the couple involved should be helped & supported in finding a way forward for them as a family which avoids contested court battles. I have found over the years that many of my clients are recommended to me by professionals & former clients.

I qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and have been working in family law since then. I joined David Gray Solicitors LLP in 2016 and I am currently part of the family mediation team.