Ward Hadaway appoints family lawyer partner

Leading law firm Ward Hadaway has recently made a significant advancement in its family law capabilities by appointing Maria Coster as a partner. In her new role, Maria will lead the family and matrimonial team based in the firm’s Leeds office, collaborating closely with colleagues from the firm’s national team. Her extensive experience in family law, spanning nearly 15 years, has earned her recognition as a Rising Star and Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500.

Maria Coster’s background involves handling a variety of family law cases, which include financial disputes, private children’s matters, divorce and dissolution, as well as high-value financial cases associated with business interests. She is well-versed in providing asset protection to clients, assisting them with pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and cohabitation agreements.

In her words, “My focus is on leading the matrimonial team in Leeds, working alongside Partner Andrea Dyer and Managing Associate Greg Cross, as part of the firm’s wider national family team, to build on the foundations already in place. That includes strengthening the group and broadening the range of work we handle.” Maria further added, “I have spent my career working on financial and children matters, often involving significant assets or challenging personal circumstances. Bringing that experience into this role will be important as we continue to deliver clear, practical advice.”

Maria emphasised her enthusiasm about collaborating with colleagues from across the firm: “I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the firm, building on existing relationships and contributing to the continued development of the national family offering. Maintaining a consistent, high-quality service for clients will remain central to that.”

This appointment is part of Ward Hadaway's ongoing investment strategy in the family law sector, aimed at enhancing their capabilities and supporting long-term team growth. Liz Bottrill, who heads the national family and matrimonial department, commented on Maria’s appointment: “Maria adds further strength to our team, bringing extensive experience across family matters alongside a pragmatic approach to client advice. As we continue to invest in our people and in those working on complex and often sensitive situations, Maria’s expertise and leadership will play an important role.”

The expansion of the matrimonial team aligns with the firm’s dedication to building a robust private client department, which is under the leadership of Alison Hall. Alison joined the firm in 2025 and her department has been growing, with new additions that provide family, contentious probate, and wills, estate planning, and succession services. This reinforces the firm’s comprehensive reputation across both professional and personal client needs.

Ward Hadaway’s Managing Partner, Steven Petrie, underscored the significance of this development: “We’re focused on building teams with the right mix of experience and leadership to support the firm’s long-term development. Maria brings both, with a strong track record in advising on complex matters and developing teams. Her appointment strengthens the Leeds office at a time of continued growth and adds further depth to our overall capability in our thriving private client services team.”