Alia Lewis

I am a Director and award winning Child Care Law Solicitor. I supervise a friendly and dedicated team of solicitors, trainees and caseworkers. Together we strive to provide an excellent and supportive service to our clients at what is probably the most stressful time in their lives. I am passionate about protecting the rights of autistic children and parents within the family justice system, alongside those with other neurodivergent conditions and hidden disabilities and have established a specialist Autism and ADHD team within our Child Care department. My expertise extends to all aspects of family law relating to children and in particular public law (care) cases where social services are involved, deprivation of liberty and secure accommodation. I am a member of the Law Society's Children Law Accreditation Scheme, which qualifies me to legally represent children. I have acted for children of all ages and I am experienced in conducting visits to children including those who are neurodivergent, non-verbal and pre-verbal. My son is autistic and due to his language delay, I developed personal experience of using PECS, communication boards, visual timetables, social stories and basic Makaton. I have a good understanding of the types of sensory and other challenges neurodivergent children (and adults) can experience and I make adjustments to my practice in order to ensure visits are as stress free as possible for the child or young person concerned. My public law cases have involved a wide range of issues including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, FII, non-accidental injury, addiction, domestic abuse and mental illness. I am a Next Generation Partner and Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 where I am described as "incredibly thorough and always on top of the case." I am an experienced advocate and undertake the majority of my own hearings in order to provide continuity of representation to my clients. I place great importance on educating myself, my team and others in relation to neurodivergence and, in particular, autism. I have gained a Level 2 qualification in Understanding Autism, which compliments the invaluable knowledge and experience I have gained from parenting my own autistic child. My goal is to provide the best quality representation and access to justice for neurodivergent children and their families and to ensure that all professionals working with such families are educated about autism and other hidden disabilities. In furtherance of this aim, I am working hard to achieve much needed reform of the family justice system and campaign for compulsory training, best practice guidance and systemic change. I am a co-founder of Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC) and in 2023 I won the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award for Children's Rights in recognition of my ongoing work.