Julian is a consultant in the divorce and family
Julian is independently rated by Chambers & Partners as one of only five ‘Star Individuals' practising family law.
‘He can handle the big litigation, but will try to get the most sensible solution away from the courtroom,' and he is a ‘phenomenal, meticulous performer.'
He focuses on divorce and family law, and is a leading expert in dealing with the financial repercussions of relationship breakdown. His work frequently has an international dimension, often involving tax and trust implications, substantial assets or incomes. His reputation is for cutting to the chase, and for giving clients the answer from the very outset.
He speaks fluent French, and consequently does a good deal of Anglo-French work. He deals a lot with cases involving the USA.
Julian has a market leading practice in negotiating pre-nuptial agreements, whether UK or international ones (often Anglo/US or Anglo/European). This is an area of practice which requires wisdom, direction, the benefit of experience and tact.
He has considerable experience in disputes relating to children, both within and outside of the Court forum.
Amongst many other accolades, Julian has been recommended as one of the top ten UK family lawyers by Spears Wealth Management in its Family Law Index. The report was previewed in The Times, which described him as ‘ultra-efficient' and highlighted feedback such as ‘enormously likeable' style characterised by ‘combination of empathy and objectivity'.
Julian appears in Citywealth's List of Top Ten Family Lawyers (2019) : "He is extremely efficient, has razor sharp intellect and honed judgment. He is highly respected by the judiciary and by his peers. Julian has the most impeccable reputation and I would not hesitate to recommend him."
He frequently acts for (or against) household names, but his clients also include City professionals, entrepreneurs, those in the arts/media, financiers, the independently wealthy and their spouses/partners.
Julian has appeared on BBC TV, Sky News, CNN, Newsnight, Radio 4 and Bloomberg to comment about family law issues. He is also often quoted in the national and international press, most recently on the front pages of The Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and the Times.
Julian has been a top rated lawyer in the Legal 500 and a star lawyer in Chambers & Partners for many years. He headed up the firm's family law practice for 9 years, until he handed the role to Suzanne Todd in 2017.
Chambers & Partners (2018) reviews Julian as follows: " "Real class act" Julian Lipson is acclaimed for his expert handling of market-leading financial work involving high-profile clients, including prenuptial agreements and post-separation litigation."
Previous years' directory commentary has included the following:
‘the best of his generation...very bright and has a lovely manner about him... He often represents well-known household names, and he has been involved in some of the most high-profile and high-value cases in recent times. He is wise, calm and extremely bright, pragmatic, academically strong and firm when necessary.'
‘brilliant, practical and shrewd' to get the most sensible solution away from the courtroom,' and that he is a ‘phenomenal, meticulous performer.'
Recent recognition
Me in a minute
This is not a job for those who like sitting on the fence
I am passionate about getting things done, driving things forward and giving clients a direct answer about what to do - from Day 1. Clients rely on you to help them make life-changing decisions, as well as navigate through the law; in my view, this is not a job for those who like sitting on the fence.
My first experience of handling clients was in fact during my years off after University, when I was a tour guide in London and Paris (and elsewhere) for large groups of American students and their teachers. An induction by fire, this experience taught me a lot of the non-legal skills I still use today and instilled in me a passion for foreign cultures, languages and the like.