Michelle is a highly experienced divorce and family lawyer based in Melbourne, Derbyshire. With over 25 years in practice, she is known for providing clear, supportive and solution-focused advice to clients across the East and West Midlands and beyond.
Her clients include homemakers, professionals, business owners, farmers and high-net-worth individuals. Calm and pragmatic, Michelle is skilled at helping people navigate emotionally challenging situations with clarity and confidence.
Recognised by both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a Recommended Lawyer, Michelle has been praised by clients for her depth of knowledge, professionalism and unwavering focus on their best interests.
Michelle advises on all areas of family law, including divorce, separation, financial settlements, and arrangements for children or grandchildren. She is a strong advocate of non-court dispute resolution, regularly guiding clients through solicitor-led negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and private Financial Dispute Resolution hearings.
With a background in collaborative law, Michelle continues to apply those values of cooperation and respect in her day-to-day practice. She firmly believes that non-court options often lead to more constructive, cost-effective and family-focused outcomes, helping clients avoid unnecessary stress and delay.
Clients value her honest, no-nonsense approach and her ability to simplify complex legal issues. Much of her work comes through personal recommendations – something she considers the greatest compliment.
Michelle qualified as a Legal Executive in 1997 and joined Woolley & Co in 2016 after many years at a respected Staffordshire firm.
Outside of work, she enjoys walking in the Peak District and Eryri National Park with her dogs, visiting family in North Wales, and relaxing over pub lunches or picnics. A keen rugby fan, things get lively at home when England and Wales go head-to-head.
