Our Associate Spotlight turns the focus to the brilliant Associates at Dawson Cornwell. Here we highlight the breadth and depth of experience in the firm, as well as the wide range of personalities and interests that make us who we are.
Poppy Holmes, a senior associate in the Matrimonial Department who qualified in 2021, shares her thoughts.
What type of work do you undertake at Dawson Cornwell?
I work across the full spectrum of private family law, helping people navigate some of life’s biggest transitions with clarity and confidence. My work includes everything from divorce and financial settlements to international jurisdiction issues. I often support clients dealing with cases involving international assets or domestic abuse, helping clients obtain protective injunctions, and I have particular experience with Schedule 1 Children Act applications and TOLATA claims. In practice, that means I regularly help unmarried parents secure financial provision for their children and guide cohabiting couples through property‑related disputes.
I also undertake some complex children matters, including relocation cases, and I’m involved in drafting and negotiating pre‑ and post‑nuptial agreements.
Why did you want to get into law, and what led you to family law?
I actually didn’t set out to be a lawyer at all. At school I was convinced I’d end up in a lab somewhere, maybe as a biologist. In sixth form, I had decided I would be a forensic scientist (I think that was because my mum would always make me watch CSI with her in the evenings) so I went off to do my forensic science qualifications and quickly discovered two things:
- I’m a complete scaredy‑cat, and
- crime scenes are not for me.
The surprise twist was that my favourite part of the course wasn’t the science – it was the law modules. That’s what inspired me to apply for a law degree.
Even then, I was adamant I’d never go into family law. Coming from separated parents myself, I thought it would be close to home, but during my training contract I realised my own personal experiences could shape the way I advise clients. Family law was exactly where I could connect with people, support them through incredibly personal moments, and actually make a difference and that’s why I love what I do.
What has been your biggest career challenge?
My biggest career challenge has been supporting victims of domestic abuse, particularly in situations where the abuse isn’t only physical but also financial or coercive. These clients are often trapped in incredibly difficult circumstances with limited resources and a very real fear of the consequences of leaving their marriage. Balancing a legal strategy with their safety, emotional wellbeing and practical needs is a huge challenge and isn’t always simple. The hardest part is knowing how vulnerable they are and working to secure protection and stability without putting too much pressure on them. Once we are through the challenging time, it is always a pleasure to see clients regain control of their lives.
And your biggest success?
My biggest success has definitely been qualifying as a solicitor. It’s a long old road, years of studying, training, and pushing through a very competitive process, and I’m really proud of the hard work it took to get here. It also means a lot to know I’ve made my family proud along the way.
But the best part is that the “success” didn’t stop at qualification. Now I get to experience those wins regularly: helping clients through incredibly tough situations and achieving outcomes that genuinely make a difference to their lives. That’s the kind of success that never gets old.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing family law at the moment?
This is a tough question because there are a lot of issues. I would probably say the biggest issue facing family law at the moment is the continued high demand on the court system as a whole. There are several challenges that all link together: limited funding, significant delays in the courts, and a lack of consistency in how cases are handled. On top of that, there’s still a long way to go in ensuring that victims of domestic abuse are properly supported and protected throughout the process.
It’s a complex mix, and it means that solicitors have to work even harder to guide clients through an already difficult time with as much clarity, compassion, and efficiency as possible.
Do you have any advice for people looking at a career in family law?
Do it! It’s incredibly rewarding, but it’s not easy and you need to be doing it for the right reasons. It requires empathy, resilience, and the ability to stay calm when emotions are running high… because they often are! You need to be a people person for sure and strong enough to give good legal advice, even if it’s not what your client wants to hear, but to do so with genuine compassion.
How do you start your day?
I’m definitely not a morning person, but once I’m awake, the first thing I do is pop on my glasses and head straight to the coffee machine to make myself a hot cherry latte (iced in summer, obviously).
On office days, I treat myself to a caramel latte and a pistachio croissant from Caffè Nero. It’s become a little ritual… and honestly, an addiction I have no intention of giving up.
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
Hawaii has to be at the top of my list. A long, sunny, completely relaxing trip in paradise is the dream. The sandy beaches, cocktails, and zero responsibilities for a couple of weeks.
If you could have a superpower, what would you choose?
Easy! Teleportation of course. Life would be so much simpler without train delays or hours lost to travelling, especially because I get travel sick! But honestly, the real reason is my family. Being able teleport to see them every day (even just for a quick hug) would be the dream, and I know my nephews and niece would absolute love that!
Please note that this blog is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content of this blog.