Francesca Dooley

Francesca is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (ACILEX) and joined Birketts as a Trainee Legal Executive in May 2023. She works within the Family Team in the Ipswich office.

Since July 2024, Francesca works closely with Katie Beaven, Juliet Harvey and Ivana Radovic assisting them in providing divorce advice, financial remedies, separation advice/deeds, dissolution of civil partnerships, children arrangements, prenuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements.

Francesca also deals with surrogacy, private adoption matters, declarations of parentage, as well as platonic co-parenting arrangements.

Francesca was previously working in our Property Litigation Team, assisting individuals with high value and complex property disputes. This experience has refined Francesca’s ability to assist clients in resolving their disputes, whether through court or via Alternative Dispute Resolution, and be a source of support when emotions are running high.

Francesca is currently studying with CILEX Law School to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer. Francesca has completed the Foundation Stage and is now studying the Advanced Stage. Prior to joining Birketts, Francesca has gained over 12 years’ experience working as a Paralegal and assistant in areas including Mental Health Law and Dispute Resolution.

Experience & education

2024 attained CILEX Diploma in Law

2021 started studying CILEX

2023 Trainee Legal Executive, Birketts LLP

2017 Paralegal, Thompson Smith and Puxon

2015 Paralegal, Taylor Haldane Barlex LLP

2013 Paralegal, John Fowlers LLP

2012 Legal Secretary, John Fowlers LLP

2011 Legal Secretary, Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP