Committee

Rachael House

Rachael is a Partner Solicitor specialising in family law. With over 13 years experience she helps people going through relationship breakdown as well as those looking for a pre-nuptial or co-habitation agreement. Rachael’s input to the AWS Surrey committee includes co-ordinating membership enquiries, event invitations and helping to organise events.

Outside of work Rachael is a regular volunteer with Girlguiding UK, helping to run a Guide unit for girls age 10-14. She also enjoys Zumba, running and spending time with her family.

Susan Grant

Susan has worked as a solicitor in Surrey for over 30 years and is has recently retired after a very successful and rewarding career. She has been a committee member of AWS Surrey for 6 years helping to organise member events and would encourage others to join this fun and sociable group.

Susan likes to spend time with family and friends and particularly enjoys the theatre from Shakespeare to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Nisha Tayal

Nisha is a specialist family Partner Solicitor at MacDonald Oates LLP, with clients across Surrey and Hampshire. She has spent over 10 years focused on family law and provides a pragmatic yet empathetic approach to resolving with family matters. Nisha joined the committee in 2015 and assists with organising events.

In her spare time, Nisha enjoys good food, a great book or film, long walks and all things tea!

Nicola Chamberlain

Nicola is a specialist Family Partner Solicitor and Head of the Family Department at Blackfords LLP. Nicola is known for her tenacious and pragmatic approach to representing clients, she routinely advises high net worth clients both nationally and internationally. Nicola helps organise events for our fantastic members.

In her spare time, Nicola enjoys walking her Spanish Water Dog (who has an aversion to water!), good food & wine, reading and personal training sessions.

Laura Hughes

Laura is specialist Senior Associate Family Solicitor working for Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP in Guildford. She advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown including divorce, financial settlements, children matters, cohabitee separations, TOLATA litigations and pre-nuptial agreements. Laura joined the AWS Committee in 2022. She helps to organise our events and raise the profile of AWS, a fun network which helps to support and develop networking for its female members.

In her spare time, Laura likes socialising, wine and travel (and exercising to try counteract the effects of the aforementioned!).

Bronwyn White

Bronwyn is an Associate Solicitor specialising in private client law at Mackrell Turner Garrett in Woking. Bronwyn is a fully qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), an accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and is training to become a Notary Public. Bronwyn has been a committee member of AWS since 2020 and during this time has helped to organise events, assisted with the accounts and membership enquiries.

When not working, Bronwyn enjoys walking and volunteering as a ranger leader with Girlguiding UK.

Amber Matheson

Amber is a Solicitor specialising in Family Law at DMH Stallard LLP in Guildford, specialising in divorce, finances and children matters. Amber joined the committee in 2022 and manages our online platforms and helps to organise events so that we can reach as many members as possible. Amber is  is on the Surrey Law Society Diversity & Inclusion sub-committee, and was awarded Rising Star of the Year 2022 at the Surrey Law Society Awards.

In her spare time, Amber enjoys socialising and entertaining and has a signature Pavlova which is demolished by family and friends in seconds!

Helen Mead

Helen is a Partner at DMH Stallard in Guildford and has more than 20 years’ experience as a corporate and M&A lawyer specialising in share and asset acquisitions and disposals, mergers, corporate structures / restructuring, joint ventures, investments, private equity and management buy-ins and buy-outs. Helen joined the committee in 2023 and enjoys helping to organise AWS events.

Helen spends all of her spare time with her family, socialising or exercising and has just signed up to do her first triathlon.

Selena Ludick

Selena is a partner specialising in family law and recognised as a leader in her field by Chambers and Partners UK. With over 25 years’ experience, Selena has a broad range or practical experience and expertise in all family matters following the breakdown of a marriage or following a cohabitation breakdown. She advises on divorce, financial remedy, cohabitation disputes, nuptial agreements, domestic violence and specialises in cases with significant and complex assets, business assets, trusts and pensions. Often instructed in private law children matters, Selena advises on child arrangements to include international and internal relocation of children cases. She has a particular interest in acting for grandparents in Special Guardianship Orders.

 Selena sings in a choir, plays the piano, loves travelling, cooking , entertaining and walking.  She is a mentor to other professionals and is a mental health first aider.

Devi Gorasia

Devi is a Senior Associate Solicitor and specialises in Property Law. She has 19 years of experience in Residential Property and advises corporate and individual clients as well as acts for lenders. Devi joined the committee in August 2023.

Outside of work Devi enjoys cooking, walking , exercising and teaches yoga as a qualified (200 RYT) yoga teacher.