Kate Matthews

Kate is a highly experienced solicitor specialising in commercial dispute resolution in all levels of Courts. She has particular experience in all aspects of alternative dispute resolution methods including mediation and settlement structures. As a senior consultant to the firm, having joined in 2024, she has brought considerable litigation experience to the Dispute Resolution department. Kate Matthews has been ranked personally in the legal directories and by her peers over the years. She was ranked in Band 2 in Chambers for litigation in the South: Clients commented to Chambers in their research that her "commercial and technical knowledge is excellent," also praising her for being "tenacious in the protection of her clients' interests, but nevertheless keeping open a sensible line of approach with the opposition. Kate was also ranked as a Leading Individual in the legal 500 when the firm was ranked in tier 3 for Commercial Litigation in Legal 500 2025. In addition, Kate Matthews volunteers pro bono her advice and experience to promote women in business. Kate is the South Regional Chair and Non-Executive Director for Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWIF) and provides all of her time on a pro bono basis, mentoring women interested or already within the franchise industry sector balancing risk and reward often with a dispute and conflict management bias. Kate is a past Winner of the EWIF Service Provider of the Year Awards. She chairs regional meetings for EWIF and in addition is an active member of the British Franchise Association (BFA). Kate has an additional training qualification in franchising through the British Franchise Association as an accredited Qualified Franchise Professional and is also a mediator for the British Franchise Association panel for franchising disputes. Kate has been a renowned and frequent speaker at the American Bar Association, particularly for the international section Annual Spring and Fall Meetings in Washington, New York, Miami, and Moscow for over 20 years. Kate has previously also spoken at the Association International des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA), notably in London on cross border corporate mergers and jurisdictional issues and at the AGM of EWIF and at quarterly forum meetings on developments within franchising and international disputes work.