Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Natalie Friday, London Family Solicitor Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview

Date: 20 Jun 2025

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second Citywealth Leaders List interview is dedicated to Natalie Friday, Principal Solicitor at London Family Solicitor.

Tell Citywealth Leaders List readers a bit about your role.
I am the founder and managing solicitor of a boutique family law firm in the City of London. I started the practice ten years ago while raising two very young children. Today, we are a close knit team of four, specialising in complex divorce and international children matters.

What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are ever the same. I might begin by advising a parent in an urgent Hague Convention application, followed by a directions hearing in financial remedy proceedings or a dispute over child arrangements. Later in the day, I could be drafting a consent order, preparing a brief to counsel ahead of a private FDR, or corresponding with an expert, whether a psychologist, psychiatrist, actuary, or foreign lawyer, depending on the complexities of the case. Alongside my legal work, I oversee the running of the firm, hold regular meetings with my team, provide training, and support each member in their development. Outside of work, I am also a mother to two daughters, so my day continues with school runs, homework, and making space for family life amid the juggle.

Tell us about some recent, interesting client instructions/requests you have received.
We are currently acting in a Hague Convention case involving Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Yemen and the UK, where we have instructed King’s Counsel due to the complexity of the cross-border legal and jurisdictional issues. We are also advising in an international extradition matter involving three jurisdictions, which raises complex questions relating to wardship, international comity, and the proper jurisdiction for determining the child’s welfare.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping them to overcome them?
Our clients are often in the midst of enormous emotional upheaval, whether facing the breakdown of a relationship, the potential relocation of a child, or financial uncertainty. We offer strategic advice with clarity and empathy, helping them navigate these challenges with confidence and control.

What is your proudest professional achievement?
Building the firm from the ground up while raising two small children and establishing a reputation for handling some of the most difficult and sensitive family law cases with care and strength.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Resilience, emotional intelligence, and clarity. Leadership means staying calm under pressure, making firm decisions, and creating an environment where others can thrive.

Who do you most admire and why?
My mother. She grew up in a conflict zone, within a household that was strict, deeply traditional, and strongly religious, and experienced significant hardship in her early years. She is one of the most open-minded, compassionate, and courageous people I know. She taught me what resilience truly means, how to carry yourself with dignity, stay calm under pressure, and keep going. The way I lead, work, and handle challenges today is deeply shaped by her example.

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?
Istanbul, for a short break and a change of scenery. A few days of tea and sunshine.

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?
I would be working with a human rights charity somewhere chaotic … ideally with a few dogs or rescue animals around. I have always had a soft spot for animals, so if all else failed, I would probably end up running an animal sanctuary.

How do you relax after a long day?
A long walk with my Jack Russell, followed by a glass of wine and a trashy Netflix series.

You may also like to read about the Citywealth Forum