Rachel is a Solicitor and Partner who works in the Family Law Department. Rachel has over 20 years experience as a Children’s Solicitor and has been a longstanding member of The Law Society’s the Children’s Panel
Rachel grew up in Nottinghamshire and did her Law Degree at the University of Leicester. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1996 and trained and worked within a large regional firm. She stayed at that firm and was eventually made Head of the Family, Children’s Emergency Team and was also a Partner at the regional firm.
Rachel then decided to move in 2018 and joined a large specialist, niche Family Law Practice with offices all over the Midlands and in the south of the country. Rachel worked as an in-house advocate representing parents, children, other family members and Children’s Guardians all across the Courts within the Midlands. Rachel dealt with directions hearings, contested interim care removal hearings and fact find and final hearings during this period. She appeared before all levels of the judiciary. This was an extremely exciting and enjoyable experience where she developed her advocacy skills to a greater degree.
Rachel joined Bird & Co in July 2019 and feels very happy to be working within the community that she has lived in all of her life.
Rachel became a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel in 2000 and has experience in representing parents and children in public and private law proceedings. She also has a wealth of experience representing victims and perpetrators involved in cases where there has been domestic abuse. She also has experience in representing individuals where there has been a forced marriage.
Rachel has recently completed the Law Society’s Vulnerable Witness training . It also means that she is able to highlight, spot and protect the rights of Vulnerable individuals who are involved in family law proceedings and the Court process.
Rachel has also been involved in a number of complex children’s cases involving non-accidental injuries where children have sustained serious brain injuries, bruising, fractures, emotional harm and physical and sexual abuse. Throughout her career she has represented parents and children with learning disabilities and has worked extensively with the Official Solicitor. Rachel has also represented children with mental health issues within care and secure accommodation proceedings.
Rachel has a wealth of experience representing parents and children in private law proceedings. She has dealt with lots of cases where there has been parental alienation, implacable hostility, enforcement applications relocation to other parts of the country and removal out of the jurisdiction.
Over the last 25 years she has also represented victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse within injunction proceedings and has also been involved in forced marriage cases. She has also represented families where there has been surrogacy issues.
Rachel feels it is important for her clients to have continuity in their representation. Clients need to feel empowered and supported at this difficult time. She will always try and conduct her own advocacy where necessary. It is important the client feels everyone works together on their behalf as a team to try and solve their legal issues and problems
In her free time, Rachel loves her garden and is an active member of her community .
Rachel's work is supervised by Estelle Conron.
REPORTED CASES:
Re G (Surrogacy: Foreign Domicile)[2007] EWHC 2814 (Fam)
I chose Bird and Co Newark after meeting initially with Rachel Maclean.
Rachel was very helpful and reassuring and I felt she was very personal and professional how she handled the case and how she explained what was required.
Although my case was complicated she was able to bring my case forwards and also help with other external support that was required by making contact with these services.
The whole experience dealing with Rachel was pleasant and I like to thank her and would definitely recommend working with her.
Family Law Client
During the last few months I have sought professional assistance regarding children matters in relation to an adoption and contact order. Rachel at Bird & Co has been assisting me with this.
She has always been professional, compassionate and I feel she has moved mountains to achieve the best possible outcomes for me.
Rachel kept me updated constantly via email, phone and ensured I had an understanding of procedures and what was required of me.
I would not hesitate to recommend Rachel to people. I would like to express my sincere thanks again to Rachel for everything she achieved for myself and my children, I am extremely grateful.
Rachel works from all three of our offices.