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Kelly Bruton

Taking a client-centred and holistic approach to family law

By Kelly Bruton

Director, Lotus Family Law

Sitting in a stuffy office, the weight of the world on your shoulders and endless legal jargon floating around in the air. It’s no wonder people loathe the thought of having to engage with solicitors.

That reality is what led Kelly Bruton to create an alternative. She would work with her clients to understand what is important to them, with those objectives and needs informing the conduct of their case – in a way that suits them.

Kelly has strong working relationships with third parties such as mediators and financial advisors to call upon where they may also have a role in supporting her clients.

Now at an exciting stage of growth, Lotus Family Law is taking its client-centred and holistic approach to more clients with every passing week.

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Pre-covid, working from home was almost unheard of - especially for solicitors. But with a young son she wanted to prioritise, Kelly decided to work on her own terms, becoming a consultant family law solicitor.

Free from the traditions of an industry that is not exactly known for “moving with the times”, she quickly found that her clients valued flexibility above all else. Unlike before, she could offer remote or out-of-hours consultations to clients going through a divorce or separation or those embarking on a new relationship (cohabitation agreements or pre/post-nuptials) and disputes around child arrangements.

Building a large client base and following around the Whiteley, Fareham area and beyond, the time came to grow. In 2023, she successfully navigated the SRA's notoriously difficult application process and was granted approval to start her own regulated law firm.

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"I knew there had to be a better way of doing things than the often traditional and stuffy way solicitors operate. Over time, we’ve established our flexible way of working, and our clients wouldn’t want it any other way."

Kelly Bruton - Director, Lotus Family Law

With nearly 15 years as a qualified solicitor, Kelly understands the law. But more importantly, she understands people. They want real resolutions, minimal disruption to their lives and to feel confident they’re on the path to greater peace of mind.

Lotus have utilised having a serviced office in Segensworth, Fareham, flexible meetings including after-hours, remote video calls, and they embrace modern technology including eSignatures and more, to make those difficult phases of life just that little bit easier for the people who already have enough on their plates.

"Being a solicitor doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. It’s my priority to have the balance between work, rest and play right. This means I’m more able to input the right amount of time, effort and emotion into a high-intensity job, and always deliver the right advice for my clients."

Kelly Bruton - Director, Lotus Family Law

With a growing team, Kelly has focused on keeping the core beliefs that started her journey at the forefront of what the team do. Approachable members of staff who are down to earth, free from judgement of any kind and who prioritise delivering expert and honest advice that leads to problem resolution.

The drive and ambition that got Kelly here show no signs of abating, with Lotus having now expanded its services to include Wills and probate, immigration (spousal visas) and surrogacy and fertility law.

But is it all work, and no play?

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Soon to take part in the Gosport ice rink Christmas show “Aladdin On Ice”, Kelly is a keen figure skater who feels at home on the ice.

Not wanting to always be stuck in icy temperatures, she’s recently visited Costa Rica and Barbados. For the music fans, ask about the yearly trips to Ibiza with friends.

With a 10-year-old, football-mad son, a lot of Kelly’s spare time is spent with the Kestrels Youth Football Club in Stubbington (which she sponsors).

 

The best piece of business advice that’s helped Kelly

“If you do a good job, the recommendations will follow. And in an industry that’s reliant on recommendation, it’s that advice that has helped us grow. It inspires me to keep doing the best job I can, for every single person who asks for our support.”