Sean McNally

Partner, Solicitor & Joint Head of Family

Family Law

Make a call
Make an enquiry

“Sean has a very good grasp of the legal principles that apply to any case. He’s great with clients, he’s very understanding and empathetic.”

Sean McNally – Chambers & Partners 2024

Read Google Reviews

“Ellis Jones are trailblazers in family law in the South West. They are exceptionally talented in terms of both legal knowledge, procedure, but also with case management.”

Family – Legal 500 2024

Read Google Reviews

“Ellis Jones are trailblazers in family law in the South West. The family team are all extremely adept in getting to the heart of the issues quickly and providing clients with excellent advice that ensures they are able to achieve a quick and effective resolution or alternatively a well prepared case for court.”

Family – Legal 500 2024

Read Google Reviews

“Deborah Leask and Sean McNally are giants in the field and very well respected. “

Family Law – Legal 500 2023

Read Google Reviews

“Very open-minded attitude to communication and a cohesive way of doing things.”

Family Law – Chambers & Partners 2022

Read Google Reviews

“Extremely knowledgeable with a robust yet pragmatic approach to cases.”

Sean McNally – Legal 500 2022

Read Google Reviews

My Approach

I have a constructive and realistic approach. I strive to avoid litigation/Court proceedings if at all possible. However I will not hesitate in proceeding with Court if it is in my client’s interests to do so. As a mediator and collaborative solicitor I utilise these skills to the benefit of my clients.

Area of Expertise

Recent Work

  • Acting for a client in achieving a very unusual outcome by using a pension to preserve property.
  • An extremely protracted children dispute based on serious allegations against my client which were unfounded.
  • Acting on an internal relocation case.
  • Mediating on financial disputes and arrangements for children.
  • Defending an application where domestic violence alleged.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

  • Recognised in The Times Top 200 Law Firms 2020
  • Recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2024 for Family Law -  "Sean McNally’s wealth of experience is reassuring to clients and he offers pragmatic advice."
  • Recognised in Chambers & Partners (UK 2023) for Family Law - "Sean is a very able lawyer."
  • Recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2023 for Family Law -  have rightly been respected as leaders in their field for many years
  • Recognised in the Chambers & Partners Guide UK 2022 as a collaborative lawyer and trained mediator with long experience in handling a wide range of family law matters.
  • Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Family Law, described as “extremely knowledgeable with a robust yet pragmatic approach to cases.”
  • Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (UK 2020) for Family Law.
  • Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (UK 2019) - praised for being 'charming and charismatic' and a 'collaborative lawyer, who tries to cut through matters and avoid litigation'
  • Ranked as a Notable Practitioner by Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2020 for being ' a very experienced, specialised practitioner who has an easy and patient manner with clients' alongside being ranked Band 2.
  • Ranked as a leading practitioner by Chambers UK (2018) and 'Interviewees note that Sean McNally has a 'fantastic manner with clients' and add that he is 'absolutely unflappable'. He has a broad family practice and specialises in complex children cases.'
  • Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2017) being described as ‘eminently experienced’ and 'a firm and knowledgeable litigator’.
  • Member of Resolution and twice Chairman of Dorset Resolution.
  • Trained and qualified as a collaborative family lawyer in 2007.
  • Became Partner of the firm in 2001
  • Qualified as a mediator in 1997.
  • Admitted as a solicitor in March 1991.
  • Member of Phoenix Mediation.

My Approach

I have a constructive and realistic approach. I strive to avoid litigation/Court proceedings if at all possible. However I will not hesitate in proceeding with Court if it is in my client’s interests to do so. As a mediator and collaborative solicitor I utilise these skills to the benefit of my clients.

Area of Expertise

Recent Work

  • Acting for a client in achieving a very unusual outcome by using a pension to preserve property.
  • An extremely protracted children dispute based on serious allegations against my client which were unfounded.
  • Acting on an internal relocation case.
  • Mediating on financial disputes and arrangements for children.
  • Defending an application where domestic violence alleged.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

  • Recognised in The Times Top 200 Law Firms 2020
  • Recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2024 for Family Law -  "Sean McNally’s wealth of experience is reassuring to clients and he offers pragmatic advice."
  • Recognised in Chambers & Partners (UK 2023) for Family Law - "Sean is a very able lawyer."
  • Recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2023 for Family Law -  have rightly been respected as leaders in their field for many years
  • Recognised in the Chambers & Partners Guide UK 2022 as a collaborative lawyer and trained mediator with long experience in handling a wide range of family law matters.
  • Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Family Law, described as “extremely knowledgeable with a robust yet pragmatic approach to cases.”
  • Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (UK 2020) for Family Law.
  • Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (UK 2019) - praised for being 'charming and charismatic' and a 'collaborative lawyer, who tries to cut through matters and avoid litigation'
  • Ranked as a Notable Practitioner by Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2020 for being ' a very experienced, specialised practitioner who has an easy and patient manner with clients' alongside being ranked Band 2.
  • Ranked as a leading practitioner by Chambers UK (2018) and 'Interviewees note that Sean McNally has a 'fantastic manner with clients' and add that he is 'absolutely unflappable'. He has a broad family practice and specialises in complex children cases.'
  • Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2017) being described as ‘eminently experienced’ and 'a firm and knowledgeable litigator’.
  • Member of Resolution and twice Chairman of Dorset Resolution.
  • Trained and qualified as a collaborative family lawyer in 2007.
  • Became Partner of the firm in 2001
  • Qualified as a mediator in 1997.
  • Admitted as a solicitor in March 1991.
  • Member of Phoenix Mediation.

Awards

Related Articles

Read the latest news from our experts.

3 minute read

To Jab or not to Jab – Potentially a sore point between parents

Read more
minute read

Domestic Violence – Keeping you and your children safe during lockdown

Read more
3 minute read

Increase in Family Court Fees

Read more
View all news

Here to help

Our specialist teams can provide full service legal advice and assistance, providing practical and cost-effective solutions.