Donna Hart

Donna is a Partner and Chartered Legal Executive Litigator (Family Litigation) at Everys and is Head of the Family team. She joined Everys in 2023 after working at a family law specialist firm for over 17 years as a Director and lawyer. Donna is based at our Exeter office but is happy to meet clients at any of our office locations and over Teams. Donna specialises in divorce and finance matters – in particular, cases involving pensions and businesses, and those with high assets. She prepares and advises on pre and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. She also advises on private law children matters. Donna is a Resolution-trained mediator and now carries out mediation work. She undertakes mediations predominantly from our Exeter office but, again, can travel to any location, meeting with separating couples to help them resolve their financial and/or children issues that they are facing. Donna’s approach to family law is to work collaboratively wherever possible but she is not one to shy away from the court process if needed. Her approach has been described by her clients as knowledgeable, personable, empathetic, and professional. In 2025, Donna won the Leader of the Year award at the Devon & Somerset Law Society Awards in recognition of her exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the success of Everys and the Family team. In 2020, she was highly commended in the same category, and in 2019, she received a highly commended mention at the National CILEX Awards for the Joyce Arram Memorial Award for advancing the legal profession. She was also highly commended at the 2018 National CILEX Awards in the Visionary Leadership category. Donna has won the CILEX Presidents Award (2015) for her outstanding services and contribution to the legal sector and she helped set up the Devon CILEX branch in 2009 of which she was Secretary and, later, Chair. She has also taught family law to CILEX students and regularly talks at events, when asked, about her journey into law. Donna is also recognised as one of the 100 most influential women in Exeter. Donna has previously been a Trustee at Exeter Citizens Advice and remains in touch with them and supports the work they do. Donna has also mentored for the charity BEEP, supporting and mentoring young homeless people back into the workplace, and is currently a mentor for students at Exeter University.