Samantha Woodham

Location: London, England,
Expertise: Barristers - Family and Matrimonial, Family and Matrimonial,

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Magic Circle Awards - 2026

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IFC Awards - 2026

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Future Leaders Awards - 2025

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Powerwomen Inernational Awards - 2025

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Powerwomen USA Awards - 2025

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Latest Article

Development of ‘no-fault’ & the future of family law

It has been nearly a year and a half since ‘no-fault’ divorce was implemented. In this feature, Citywealth speaks to family law practitioners on how their practice has developed since this significant change. We also look to the future of family law; what other concerns and legal changes are on the horizon that could be shaping the sector?

Read more

Latest Review

Peer review:
Sam is nothing short of a pioneering force in family law! Her approach is characterised by empathy, dedication, and a commitment to transforming and improving the divorce process. She brings to her work exceptional legal expertise, emotional intelligence, and a real ability to connect with people.
Kate Clark - Mishcon de Reya
05 Jun 2025

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Reviews

Peer review:
Sam is nothing short of a pioneering force in family law! Her approach is characterised by empathy, dedication, and a commitment to transforming and improving the divorce process. She brings to her work exceptional legal expertise, emotional intelligence, and a real ability to connect with people.
Kate Clark - Mishcon de Reya
05 Jun 2025
Peer review:
Samantha is a rare breed of lawyer; she has mastered both money and children law, and is able to settle both whether via NCDR or litigation. She brings a warmth and a focus to her work which means clients feel truly heard and supported. In founding the Divorce Surgery with Harry, she has revolutionised the way that separating couples are able to work through the process of divorce. To have the insight to establish the one solicitor model is demonstration of the understanding and empathy she has for her clients.
Catherine Costley - Fladgate
04 Jun 2025
Peer review:
Samantha is truly exceptional — the complete package. Her client care is unmatched, and she is a brilliant advocate, both in writing and in person. Thoughtful, meticulous, and fair, she is also widely respected as a private FDR judge. What truly sets Samantha apart is her unwavering commitment to resolving matters outside of court. She consistently brings creativity and innovation to settlement discussions, always seeking the most constructive outcomes for her clients. Her pioneering work with The Divorce Surgery has firmly established her as a trailblazer in the field of family law, and she continues to lead with integrity, intelligence, and compassion. Samantha is held in the highest regard across the profession.
Matilda Kingham - Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
04 Jun 2025
Peer review:
Samantha is a leading light and an expert in her field; her work in rethinking divorce through the one couple, one lawyer approach was groundbreaking and continues to be delivered with passion, conviction and empathy. Her reputation precedes her in all she undertakes; both her peers and her clients speak of her in the highest terms and all my interactions with her have been insightful, helpful and productive.
Olivia West - 7IM
15 May 2023
Peer review:
Sam is truly first rate. Her EQ is second to none and there's a very good reason why she's so highly regarded for her work not just dealing with the day to day adversarial work that is the exclusive focus for most barristers but also for her work at the Divorce Surgery, helping couples navigate their way to a consensual settlement following a separation.

She is someone who is always working hard to get results for her clients, in all spheres and, on top of it all, she's devoted to developing the profession as a whole for the better.
Katharine Landells - Withers LLP
03 May 2023
Peer review:
The Divorce Surgery is indicative of Samantha's genuinely innovative thinking when it comes to navigating separation. What she and her cofounder created was truly the first of its kind, and it is telling that it still has no competition. Samantha draws on what she learnt at the coalface in her time at the Family Bar, and deploys it now to the benefit of those signing up to a different way of divorcing.
Catherine Costley - Payne Hicks Beach LLP
01 May 2023
Peer review:
Samantha is an inspiration. Her warmth, empathy and geniality belie the power house that she is underneath. She is professional and engaging, yet open enough to make those around feel she understands their needs - a great example of the role a lawyer can play as a trusted adviser to her clients. The changes that Samantha is achieving in the divorce field are truly commendable and represent her modern thinking, striking determination, fearlessness of opposition and a relentless pursuit to obtain a fairer and more accommodating system.
Jackie Hockney - Crowe LLP
28 Apr 2023
Peer review:
Samantha is a highly successful individual who blazes a trail in everything she does. Setting up the Divorce Surgery was a defining moment in family law and her work in this space is simply exemplary.

Samantha is a person who can make everyone feel seen and heard and her ability to connect with people is superb. I am delighted to be connected with her through my work with parents who are divorcing.
Marcie Shaoul - The Co-Parent Way
27 Apr 2023
Peer review:
Samantha is an incredible woman. An inspirational leader with an empowering personality and infectious personality. She is visionary in her approach to Family Law and breaking new ground to try and give separating couples a more positive outlook on divorce - one that reduces conflict, time and cost. I cannot think of a more professional, more personable, more positive person. Someone I am incredibly proud to be associated with.
Neil Henry - Marketing Converted Ltd
29 Jan 2021
Peer review:
Dynamism, ability and empathy - Sam displays these key qualities in bucket loads! As well as being a truly outstanding advocate, she has, together with Harry Gates from her Chambers, 4 Paper Buildings, developed a revolutionary product: The Divorce Surgery. The idea of bringing both parties together for combined legal advice as to outcome is inspired and, moreover, it works, with an enviable track record of successful resolution of all levels of cases. Added to all this, Sam is a delight to work with and a formidable opponent in court. You want her on your side in a contest!
Nicholas Fairbank - 4 Paper Buildings
19 Nov 2020
Peer review:
Samantha is a genuine inspiration to peers - an exceptional barrister who combines unrivalled intellect, advocacy abilities and interpersonal abilities with her entrepreneurial flair! Samantha has developed a venture to revolutionise family law. The 'one couple, one lawyer' concept is perfect for those separating who wish to save the emotional and financial costs of litigation. Not only is the idea stellar, its execution is a resounding success due to Samantha's legal expertise, commitment, humanity, energy and charm.
Julia Townend - 4PB
18 Nov 2020
Peer review:
'The Divorce Surgery' is unique, allowing couples to work through issues upon separation in an amicable and dignified way, something that is often so lacking and yet is so important. As a family barrister, Sam has seen first hand the destruction that litigation can bring to families and always thinks calmly and creatively for clients to extract them from it where possible. The Divorce Surgery was created as Sam identified a clear gap in the options available to separating couples. It is a fantastic alternative and one that reflects Sam's passion for constructive, pragmatic and fair solutions. Her dedication, passion, attention to detail and work ethic when coupled with her thoughtfulness and approachability make her one of a kind. She is a delight to work with and her innovative work with the Divorce Surgery is hugely impressive.
Matilda Kingham - Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
18 Nov 2020
Peer review:
Sam's work with The Divorce Surgery is truly innovative and inspiring. Sam is also utterly dedicated to her clients and works tirelessly on their behalf; her energy and enthusiasm is infectious! Always a joy to work with, she is an exceptional barrister.
Kate Clark - Mishcon de Reya
17 Nov 2020
Peer review:
Sam is a true trailblazer. She is has brought innovation and empathy to an area that was desperately crying out for both. Her venture, The Divorce Surgery, is a huge success driven by her dynamism and amazing ability to communicate with a wide audience. She is awe inspiring and yet always a true pleasure to work with, not a double act many can pull off!
Sophie Connors - Self employed barrister
16 Nov 2020
Peer review:
Sam is one of the most gifted family barristers of her generation, an inspiration to women in law and now with the Divorce Surgery, adding entrepreneur to her many talents. The Divorce Surgery is Sam and Harry Gates's brainchild. Both, leading barristers in the 4pb stable. It has taken family law by storm and provides a novel yet beautifully simple model to divorcing couples: one couple, one lawyer. The simplicity understates what Sam actually provides through the Divorce Surgery; expert advice, accessibility, and attention to detail for both spouses delivered in a non adversarial way. In reality, if Carlsberg did family law, it would be the Divorce Surgery model and it would be led by Sam as the CEO!
charles hale QC - 4pb
16 Nov 2020
Peer review:
The Divorce Surgery is an exceptional product of Samantha's expertise and strive for pragmatism. Her dedication to fill the gap in the divorce process by offering separating couples a cost effective way of hearing the answer is a breath of fresh air. I have sent clients to the Divorce Surgery and seen the results first hand!
Kara Swift - Family Law in Partnership Ltd
16 Nov 2020
Peer review:
Citywealth Recommended
Rosie Graham - Citywealth
09 Nov 2020

Case Studies

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Articles

Development of ‘no-fault’ & the future of family law

It has been nearly a year and a half since ‘no-fault’ divorce was implemented. In this feature, Citywealth speaks to family law practitioners on how their practice has developed since this significant change. We also look to the future of family law; what other concerns and legal changes are on the horizon that could be shaping the sector?

Read more

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