As another year draws to a close, we’re reflecting, not just on the cases we’ve worked on or the milestones reached within our teams, but on the moments that extended beyond the four walls of our offices. From charity fundraisers and local partnerships to careers talks and community events, 2025 has been a year shaped by connection.

We have listened, participated, celebrated and shown up – because we believe that good family law is rooted in compassion for people. In this blog, we highlight some of the moments that brought our work to life and the special ways that we connected with our local communities throughout the year.

Community Sponsorships & Events

From St Albans to Southampton and everywhere in between, we’ve loved being part of local life – sponsoring and joining events to support and celebrate the people and causes that make each area unique. We have sponsored and assisted at some truly memorable events:

The Hertfordshire County Show

The St Albans team were thrilled to sponsor this event that showcases everything that’s special about Hertfordshire. The team met and chatted to local families, farmers and businesses, sharing insights on legal matters relevant to families and local enterprises. You can find out more about this brilliant annual event on the Herts Show website.

GuilFest

In July, we were delighted to sponsor the Literary Tent at GuilFest. Over the weekend, our Guildford team connected with festival goers, shared advice and celebrated the power of storytelling! Seeing so many attendees, from children to adults, engrossed in books and conversation reinforced the importance of supporting events that encourage learning and creativity.

Henley Festival

The Henley Festival provided a weekend of sunshine and music. We sponsored two family shows in the Paradiso Spiegeltent. Our team shared balloons and colouring books with the audience and enjoyed helping families engage with the activities. It was a fun way to connect with the local Henley community during the summer.

ScanAppeal Events

We are very proud to support  ScanAppeal’s vital work to provide life-saving equipment to local hospitals. Our Beaconsfield team joined their ‘Pluma on the Pitch’ event, which showcased live flamenco dancing from The London Flamenco Group and delicious Spanish cuisine. Anna Ferro and Eleanor Anderson represented KJS and chatted to guests about local causes and the family law support we offer.

The team also attended ScanAppeal's Business Breakfast event at Adams Park, where inspirational stories were shared – including from Naomi Riches MBE, British adaptive rower and London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist. The session highlighted resilience, determination and the vital role of community-backed initiatives in healthcare.

Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks

Our Winchester team proudly sponsored and attended Winchester Round Table’s annual Bonfire and Fireworks Display. The evening was memorable for the sense of community it fostered, from the torchlit promenade along the high street to the stunning firework display. Team members Jane Longworth, Jessica Young and Scott Frazer were thrilled to be part of the event, meeting people and helping to support local charitable causes.

Marlow Christmas Lights Switch-On

Our Marlow office supported Marlow's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On. The evening brought together residents, families and local businesses.  It was a very memorable start to the festive season and the team enjoyed handing out seasonal cheer at the event, reinforcing our commitment to being an active, present part of the community.

Fundraising & Charitable Giving

Whether walking, baking or donating, our local teams have embraced every opportunity to support charities and causes to make a tangible difference where it really counts.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

Our Ascot team collected and donated over 100 essential items for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, gifting various toys and treats too.

Professional Paralegal, Karen O’Hara reflects:

‘This Christmas, our Ascot Office chose to donate many goods to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home which has now become our traditional Christmas event.  Knowing that the animals in their care will have a little more comfort and support during the festive season means a great deal to us.  It’s a small way of giving back, but one that comes from the heart.  We are grateful to be able to help, particularly at this time of year, and we hope that our donations bring some warmth and kindness to the animals who need it most.’

Legal Walks

In July, our KJS team laced up their walking shoes for The Guildford Legal Walk in support of the London Legal Support Trust. KJS walkers were led by Eva Artemis and the event raised over £10,500 for South West London Law Centre and other legal charities.

Our Woodley team in Reading continued the Legal Walk tradition. The team went above and beyond, contributing to over £8,000 raised for advice agencies in Reading and the Thames Valley in support of London Legal Support Trust.

These walks reinforce the power of community-driven action for access to justice. The teams’ dedication highlighted how local support and volunteering can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Hurstbourne Tarrant 5 Race (HBT5)

Ed Morton and Joe Garside from our Newbury Office bravely took on the steep hills of the HBT5 challenge. It’s a five-mile race in the heart of the beautiful North Wessex Downs, starting in the village of Hurstbourne Tarrant and following part of the Test Way through woods and farmland. Jennifer Murray, head of our Basingstoke Office, was also on hand to give out water to exhausted children crossing the finish line!

Macmillan Coffee Morning – Winchester

Our Winchester office hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning, raising £262 to support people living with cancer. The team baked, donated and welcomed visitors in support of this very worthwhile cause.

Local Gestures – Flowers & Coffee Vouchers

Beyond these larger and more formal events, our branches in Marlow, Oxford, Petersfield and Basingstoke ventured into the community to hand out flowers, coffee vouchers and cards. These small initiatives were heartfelt opportunities to meet our neighbours and reinforce that KJS values people, relationships and wellbeing outside the legal office .
 
Our Petersfield team thoroughly enjoyed getting out and meeting local people in and around the Petersfield area and the flower campaigns were warmly received by the Petersfield community. 

Supporting Schools, Clubs & Youth Sport

We are particularly proud to cheer on young talent, support grassroots sports and encourage students to grow both on and off the field. Our St Albans team continues to support Dr Challoner’s Grammar School through their rugby sponsorship, helping to nurture developing players as they build confidence, skill and sportsmanship.

We are equally honoured to champion the Windsor Boys’ School Boat Club (WBSBC), especially during the Henley Royal Regatta season. Recently, Kulbir Rahi, Jess Bouwer and Ollie Cater visited the club to show support for the young rowers and their families. Our involvement reflects a wider commitment to creating opportunities for young people to pursue excellence – not only in sport, but in teamwork, resilience and personal achievement.

Careers, Education & Thought Leadership

Sharing our expertise, inspiring the next generation and engaging with schools and universities has been one of the most rewarding parts of our year. Whether it be networking or a careers fair, the KJS team shared their expertise at a wide range of events:

The Fertility Show

In May, Eleanor Tanner represented KJS, providing guidance to families navigating complex fertility issues. Sophie Turrell and Joe Garside supported the weekend event, ensuring that attendees could engage openly, ask questions and gain confidence in their decisions.

Solent University Family Law Panel

In July we co-hosted a Family Law event with No.18 Chambers at Solent University. It shared insights on matrimonial finance and private children matters, giving both students and experienced professionals a deeper understanding of family law in action.

Farnborough Sixth From College - Moving On Day

Also in July, Nina Paul and Bel Hester from our Guildford Office delivered an inspiring seminar at Farnborough Sixth Form College, sharing personal insights into careers in family law, application tips, and practical advice. The event allowed students to explore pathways, ask questions and see beyond textbooks into real-life legal practice. 

Toddle About Live

In September, Faizah Chaudhri and Sarah Beale from our Basingstoke office represented KJS at Toddle About Live! We were proud to sponsor such a fantastic event, and it was a pleasure to meet so many members of our community, along with the brilliant small businesses offering services, support and products for young families.

PETA Apprenticeships Masterclass

In October, Nina Paul and Natasha Bianco were pleased to take part in the PETA Apprenticeships Masterclass and offered apprentices insight into career development, practical skills and real-world experiences in family and private client law. The session aimed to demystify the profession and encourage the next generation of legal professionals.

Private Client Wills & Lasting Power of Attorney Sessions

Our Private Client team met with members of the community in October to provide clarity on the importance of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. These sessions addressed common myths, offered reassurance and demonstrated the value of proactive planning for families.

Reading University Law Careers Fair

In November, Callum Pitfield and Antonia Clarke connected with students at Reading University eager to learn about careers in law. From thoughtful questions to deep discussions on family law, the afternoon highlighted the importance of mentorship, guidance and accessible legal education.

KJS Growth & Identity 2025

This year has also been one of expansion and renewal for us, with new KJS offices, refreshed spaces and a rebrand that reflects who we are today and the ecosystem of care that we offer. Our refreshed brand and website mark a milestone in our journey as a specialist family law firm, honouring our foundations while recognising the deeply human nature of the work we do. As Managing Director Karen Harvey shares, the rebrand reflects our holistic approach – one that supports clients emotionally as well as legally, and empowers them through every stage of change.

From thoughtful touches in our offices to partnerships with trusted specialists, this evolution celebrates both the people we serve and the team who make it possible. Their professionalism, insight and compassion remain at the heart of what we do, and this next chapter strengthens our commitment to delivering expert, empathetic support to families across the Southeast and beyond.

We opened new offices at Petersfield, Marlow and Bournemouth, extending our reach and providing modern, collaborative environments for both clients and our team. Our Basingstoke and Beaconsfield teams have settled into new premises, fostering wellbeing, efficiency and stronger engagement with local communities.

Final Thought

We are incredibly proud of our teams. They’ve volunteered, walked, baked, given speeches, sponsored events, raised money and opened new doors – literally, in the form of new offices, and figuratively, through the opportunities created for the communities we serve. We’ve enjoyed getting to know the people around us, supporting the causes that really matter and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals.

As we move into 2026, we look forward to building new relationships, deepening our connections, supporting communities and continuing to engage in ways that matter. You can follow our work on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, or explore more on the Events page of our website. Thank you for being part of our year and we wish you a happy and prosperous 2026.