About Karen Petch

Karen Petch is an experienced Family Law Solicitor at McGee McGee Agar Law, with more than 30 years of experience as a qualified solicitor and a long-standing specialism in children law.

Having qualified in July 1995, Karen has dedicated her legal career to family law, supporting individuals and families through difficult and often emotionally challenging circumstances. She has been a member of the Law Society's Children Law Accreditation Scheme since June 2000, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to representing children and families.

Karen began working at BBNM Law in 1989, where she established the firm's Family Law Department and subsequently progressed to Partner. Her career has given her extensive experience in family law practice, alongside a thorough understanding of the challenges clients can face when navigating legal proceedings involving children.

Known for her straightforward advice and empathetic approach, Karen takes particular care when representing vulnerable clients, including people with learning disabilities. She also has a strong interest in representing older children, ensuring their circumstances, wishes and concerns are properly understood.

Karen combines decades of legal experience with a practical, compassionate approach, helping clients understand their position and feel supported throughout the legal process.

Specialist in Family and Children Law

Karen has spent her professional career working in family law, developing particular expertise in matters involving children and their welfare.

As an accredited Children Law Panel member since June 2000, she has extensive experience working within a specialist area of legal practice that often involves sensitive family circumstances and important decisions about children's futures.

Her areas of expertise include:

• Family law matters involving children
• Legal representation of children and families
• Children's welfare and related legal proceedings
• Representing older children in family law matters
• Supporting vulnerable clients during legal proceedings
• Providing family law advice and representation in complex or sensitive circumstances

Karen understands that legal matters involving children can be particularly stressful for those affected. Parents, carers and children may be dealing with unfamiliar court processes while also facing difficult decisions about their personal lives.

She believes that clear advice and careful communication are essential, particularly where clients may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about what happens next.

Karen takes time to understand the individual circumstances of those she represents, ensuring her advice reflects their needs and the issues involved in their case.

Her extensive experience enables her to approach sensitive matters with professional judgement, empathy and a strong understanding of family law.

Experienced in Representing Children and Vulnerable Clients

A particular focus of Karen's work is representing children, including older children whose views and circumstances can be especially important during family law proceedings.

Karen enjoys working with older children and recognises the importance of ensuring they feel heard, understood and properly supported when involved in legal matters affecting their lives.

She understands that children and young people may find legal proceedings confusing or intimidating. Her approach is to communicate clearly, build trust and help them understand the process in a way that is appropriate to their individual circumstances.

Karen also takes particular pride in her empathetic approach towards clients with learning disabilities.

She recognises that some clients may require additional time, support or adjustments to fully understand legal advice and participate in proceedings.

Her approach focuses on:

• Clear communication: Explaining legal issues in a straightforward and accessible way.
• Patience and understanding: Taking time to ensure clients feel comfortable asking questions and discussing their concerns.
• Individual support: Recognising that clients have different needs and adapting her approach accordingly.
• Respect and empathy: Treating every client with dignity, regardless of their circumstances.
• Effective representation: Ensuring clients' interests and circumstances are properly presented throughout proceedings.

Karen believes that everyone should have access to legal advice they can understand, particularly when the issues involved may affect their family or future.

Her experience working with children and vulnerable individuals has helped shape a practical, supportive approach to family law representation.

A Straightforward, Empathetic and Client-Focused Solicitor

Karen describes herself as straight-talking, believing clients benefit from honest advice and a clear understanding of their legal position.

She recognises that family law proceedings can be emotionally difficult, especially when children are involved. Clients may be worried about the future, unsure about their rights or struggling to understand an unfamiliar legal process.

Karen aims to make these situations easier by providing practical advice in a calm, approachable and understanding manner.

Her approach is built around:

• Honest, straightforward advice: Helping clients understand their legal position without unnecessary jargon or confusion.
• Empathy and compassion: Recognising the personal and emotional challenges involved in family law matters.
• Accessible communication: Adapting explanations to meet the needs of individual clients, particularly those with learning disabilities.
• Experience and professional judgement: Drawing on decades of family law practice to provide considered, practical guidance.
• A commitment to children's welfare: Taking particular care when representing children and young people in legal proceedings.

Karen understands that effective legal representation involves more than explaining the law. It also means listening to the person seeking advice, recognising their individual circumstances and helping them feel confident about the decisions ahead.

Her combination of experience, honesty and empathy allows her to provide legal support that is both professional and approachable.

An Established Career in Family Law

Karen's legal career spans more than three decades as a qualified solicitor, with an association with BBNM Law and its predecessor practice dating back to 1989.

She qualified as a solicitor on 3 July 1995 and went on to develop a career focused on family law.

During her time at BBNM Law, Karen established the firm's Family Law Department, helping develop its family law services and specialist practice.

Her professional contribution and experience subsequently led to her progression to Partner.

In June 2000, Karen became a member of the Children Law Panel, further establishing her specialist credentials in matters involving children.

Over the years, Karen has built strong professional relationships within the legal community. She believes her extensive experience and approach to practice have earned her the respect of fellow legal professionals, including magistrates and judges.

Following BBNM Law becoming part of McGee McGee Agar Law in October 2026, Karen continues her work as a Family Law Solicitor, bringing her considerable experience and specialist knowledge to the firm's Family Law Department.

Throughout her career, Karen has remained committed to providing honest, empathetic and effective legal representation, particularly for children and vulnerable individuals.

Qualifications and Professional Credentials

Karen's professional qualifications, accreditations and career achievements include:

• Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB Hons)
• Qualified Solicitor – 3 July 1995
• Children Law Panel Member – Since June 2000
• Former Partner – BBNM Law
• Founder of the Family Law Department – BBNM Law
• Family Law Solicitor – McGee McGee Agar Law

Karen combines more than 30 years of experience as a qualified solicitor with specialist knowledge of family and children law.

Her straightforward approach, professional experience and genuine empathy for vulnerable clients help her provide clear and supportive legal representation when it matters most.

Whether representing a child in legal proceedings, supporting someone with additional communication needs or advising a family facing difficult circumstances, Karen remains committed to ensuring her clients feel understood, respected and properly represented.