Vanda James

Vanda joined Birketts in November 2023 having been at a leading Kent firm for many years. Vanda is a Partner and Head of our Sevenoaks Family Team and has nearly 30 years’ experience.

She is an expert in all aspects of family law and specialises in complex financial cases or those with an unusual element and also has notable expertise in international child relocation and other highly sensitive matters. Vanda has been described as formidable and when needed, enjoys carrying out a forensic analysis of financial information especially those cases involving family businesses and trust assets. When required, Vanda can be tenacious and provides clear advice and a strategic way forward. Vanda is empathetic and passionate about achieving the right outcome for her clients which she does with diligence, focus and determination. Vanda regularly drafts and advises on Pre/Post Nuptial Agreements and has been a trained collaborative lawyer since 2006. She is a member of Resolution.

Vanda has been ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers UK for many years. In the 2024 edition of Chambers, clients note “Unarguably, Vanda is one of the strongest matrimonial finance solicitors in Kent. Another adds “She’s approachable and responds very effectively to achieve a favourable outcome for her clients. She’s an absolute pleasure to work with”.

Vanda is the former President of Kent Law Society and is listed in the Citywealth Leaders List. She is also identified as one of the top 10 pioneering family lawyers transforming matrimonial law in Kent 2023 by Business Today.

Vanda is married and has a grown up daughter. Outside of work, Vanda is a keen athlete and runs with a local running group. Vanda is also fanatical about high performance sports cars and wine, describing herself as an Oenophile, having completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust exams to Level 3 in 2019.

Awards and Memberships