Our Team

Karen Bennett     |     Managing Director     |     Solicitor     |     Head of Family Law Department

Heading up the team is Managing Director, Karen Bennett, who decided to return to her family roots and set up the Practice in 1999.  Prior to her move back to the North West, Karen was one of two co-founders and a Senior Partner of a practice near London where she presided as Head of the Family Law department.

Having over 30 years’ Family Law experience, Karen’s specific areas of expertise are dealing with financial matters for high net worth clients. In recent years she has represented clients where the assets have ranged from £8 million to in excess of £35 million. She also specialises in complex farming cases and cases including Trusts.

Regularly appearing in the Family Courts across North Wales, Chester, the North West of England and London. Karen is based in North Wales, and frequently travels to our offices in London and the Home Counties in order to meet with her clients.

Karen believes wholeheartedly in a non-confrontational approach to family matters.  However, she can also be firm and robust in striving to reach a fair settlement for every client, every time.

Jamie Camilleri     |     Director     |     Practice Manager     |     Head of Accounts Department

An essential member of the team is Director Jamie Camilleri, who has been the Firm’s Practice Manager since September 2010.  Jamie was made a Director of the Firm in February 2016.

With over 10 years’ experience in the role of Practice Manager, Jamie is also the Firm’s  Compliance Office for Finance and Administration and works closely with our Quality Management Consultant, Adele Warchester. Together, they safeguard the professional aspects of the Practice, leaving the rest of the team to concentrate on their areas of expertise.

Adrian Altman     |     Director     |     Senior Solicitor, Family Law Department     |     Head of Wills & Probate Department

Adrian Altman completed his Law Degree at Manchester Metropolitan University before being called to the Bar in 2002 and cross qualifying as a Solicitor in 2005. Adrian joined the team in 2017 and is a Senior Solicitor based at the Parc Menai office where he specialises in Family Law, his focus being on divorce, financial issues and disagreements concerning children. A member of Resolution and the Law Society Family Law Panel, he regularly appears in Courts across North Wales, Chester and the North West of England.

Adrian has also been in place as the Head of the Wills and Probate department since January 2019 and enjoys advising and guiding clients on aspects of private client work including Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Administration (probate).

Whether it is Family Law or Wills and Probate, Adrian always delivers his expert advice in a clear, friendly, professional manner.

Adrian was made a Director of the Firm in February 2024.

Amy Williams     |     Solicitor     |     Head of Conveyancing Department

Amy Williams obtained her Law Degree from Bangor University and completed her LPC at the University of Law in Chester. Amy began her conveyancing career with a local firm, before joining the team at Bennett Smith Solicitors as a paralegal in February 2015. Amy became a trainee solicitor in August 2015, qualifying in March 2017.

Based at our conveyancing department in the Parc Menai office, Amy is a solicitor specialising in residential property transactions and also has experience in family law.

Amy has been the Head of the Firm’s Conveyancing Department since March 2020 and, together with the rest of the team, endeavours to make the conveyancing process as easy and stress-free as possible for our clients and always provides a personal approach. She prides herself on her reliable repeat business and ongoing recommendations.

Diane Templer     |     Legal Assistant     |     Family Law Department and Wills & Probate Department

Diane Templer worked for the Local Government for 24 years in a secretarial and administration role before joining Bennett Smith Solicitors in May 2017.

Based in Parc Menai, Diane works closely with both the Family Law and Wills & Probate Departments whilst also providing secretarial support to Adrian. As a fluent Welsh speaker, Diane provides a fully bilingual service when required and prides herself on always being on-hand to assist. Diane enjoys interaction with clients and meeting new people and enjoys helping Adrian in achieving the best possible outcome for all clients.

Jen Howard     |     Accounts Assistant     |     Accounts Department

Jen Howard worked in the service industry for over 25 years in Hospitality Management, Business Accounting and Administration roles before joining Bennett Smith Solicitors in January 2023.

Jen works closely with Jamie to help run the Accounts Department whilst also providing support to the solicitors in the Firm.

Erin Lewis     |     Paralegal     |     Conveyancing Department

Erin Lewis gained her first class degree in Law LLB and received a distinction in International Criminal Law and International Human Rights Law LLM at Bangor University. She has, most recently, completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law and joined the team as a Paralegal in September 2023.

Erin is based in the conveyancing department in Parc Menai and works closely with Amy helping to ensure the conveyancing process is as easy and stress-free as possible for clients.

As a fluent Welsh speaker, Erin can provide a fully bilingual service and prides herself on always providing a personal approach and helping Amy to navigate clients through the conveyancing process from beginning to end.