Rachel Lander

Based in Buckingham, Rachel is an experienced divorce and family law solicitor with Woolley & Co. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Rachel brings a pragmatic, approachable, and solutions-focused approach to every case. She qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and has since held senior roles across several prominent firms, including a Legal 500 practice in Staffordshire, where she led the family law department, a commercial law firm in Liverpool as a partner, and a well-regarded niche family law practice in Milton Keynes.

Rachel offers extensive experience in all areas of family law, including complex, high-asset divorces, with a dedicated focus on securing the most beneficial financial arrangements for her clients, children matters, working to achieve child-centred solutions that respect each family’s unique dynamics, and cohabitation disputes, providing knowledgeable advice and advocacy.

Rachel is committed to resolving family disputes with a constructive and sensitive approach. She is highly skilled in a wide range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, from direct negotiation, roundtable meetings, and mediation to collaborative law, private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR), and arbitration. Her work as a trained mediator has equipped her with unique skills to help clients avoid court proceedings whenever possible, minimising stress.

“I will always look at alternative dispute resolution away from the court if possible. My past work as a mediator has provided me with a wealth of skills that in turn assist me in providing a personal and compassionate approach at what is so often a traumatic time. I will explore with you the different ways to reach a negotiation-based agreement and am happy to pick up the phone for an explorative conversation with the other solicitors to try to cut to the nub of an issue.

Family law is about so much more than the legal issues themselves. For each of my clients, it is a personal journey, and I am there to support you in whatever way I can. I will refer to other professionals when necessary, so you have the full team around you.” 

Rachel takes a hands-on approach to client communication, ensuring that all voices are heard and that a constructive resolution is pursued, whether through ADR methods or the courts if required. Her expertise as a collaborative lawyer allows her to facilitate roundtable meetings and negotiations with an emphasis on client-led outcomes. This collaborative focus not only fosters quicker, more amicable resolutions but also supports positive co-parenting relationships for families with children.

Rachel’s blend of compassion, expertise, and dedication makes her an exceptional advocate in family law, helping clients navigate their legal journey with confidence and reassurance.