Kathryn Ainsworth

Family, Children & Separation

Kathryn is the head of the Private Family Law Team and Managing Partner at Machins.

Contact Information

[email protected]
01442 973421
@ainsworth_legal
/kathryn-ainsworth-76b81716
Berkhamsted Office
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Testimonials

Kathryn Ainsworth is quite simply one of the best solicitors in the business. An amazing tactician who has clients eating out of her hands.
Legal 500 2025
Kathryn Ainsworth is an excellent family lawyer. She gets under the skin of a case right at the outset and her tactical planning towards the desired result is unerringly right on the mark.
Legal 500 2025
Kathryn was very experienced in her knowledge about my case and worked hard for the best outcome for me
Kathryn is excellent. She is a force to be reckoned with, always giving spot-on advice, and is a rock for her clients.
Chambers and Partners 2024
Kathryn Ainsworth is absolutely no-nonsense and gives frank advice which is always correct. She is brilliant at telling clients what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear. I would always recommend her in any case where you need a lawyer to cut through the nonsense and just get to grips with the issues.
Legal 500 2024
Efficient and professional
I want to thank you for the way you handled our file. Your kindness, professionalism and interpretation of the situation have made a huge difference. You might say that is part of your job but experience tells me that everything we do and more precisely the way we do it, our intention comes down to who we deeply are, the values we promote.
Kathryn Ainsworth. Steers the ship better than any captain!’
Legal 500 2023
Their team ethic. They are so cohesive, all under the watchful eye of the brilliant Kathryn Ainsworth
Legal 500 2023
Kathryn Ainsworth is very good on strategy and knows the law inside out.
Legal 500 2023
Kathryn Ainsworth’s judgement is always spot on and the high and moral standards that she sets always ensures that clients get a first class service.’
Legal 500 2021
Machins are a fantastic firm to work with. Kathryn Ainsworth leads a team that in my opinion are leading the way in the home counties. They work extremely hard for all clients and are committed to every case and often go above and beyond when it really matters.‘ Legal 500 2021
Kathryn Ainsworth is simply superb. Her judgement is second to none, leaving her clients with realistic expectations from their first contact with her.
Kathryn Ainsworth leads the team by example. She delivers superb advice, always goes the extra mile for the client and is on top of her game. A real star!
I have recommended Kathryn on numerous occasions, she was professional, compassionate, concise, clear, no nonsense and strong for me when I felt like giving in. Couldn't speak more highly about her.
I cannot tell you how lucky I feel in dealing with professional people which such high moral standards and impeccable business practice. It has been an absolute pleasure in dealing with you, your staff & colleagues, even though my personal circumstances were somewhat difficult, you at least made it bearable, which is indeed an immense skill.
I just wanted to thank you so, so much for all your hard work in getting my settlement. You were incredibly patient with me and if it wasn’t for your efforts I wouldn’t have anything.
Thank you for all your help in getting this to closure. The inevitable emotional wear and tear of the situation was much alleviated by the fact that you very clearly know what you are doing and the quality of service you provided was of the impeccably highest order. Knowing that you were to hand was not only a reassurance but a pleasure.
Kathryn is immensely impressive and professional. She put me at ease straight away.
I appreciated Kathryn’s pragmatic approach and honesty. There was transparency at all stages over fees and I felt she understood my situation and my needs.
Kathryn Ainsworth leads by example. She truly rises above all the unimportant stuff and gets to the crux of the issues of a case in a heart beat. Her client skills are also second to none.
Legal 500 2022
She has great synergy with clients and an understanding of what they're going through.
Chambers and Partners 2022
She is helpful, knowledgeable, calm and focused on finding the best way forward for her client
Chambers and Partners 2022
I received excellent service and had been recommended to use the practice
Found Kathryn & Suzanne warm and understanding, but most of all honest. People want to know they are working with someone they can trust. The was evident with Kathryn & Suzanne.

About Kathryn

Kathryn qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and has been based in Berkhamsted since October 2000.  She joined Machins following the merger of her former practice, Sumner & Tabor, with Machins in May 2012, she leads our very successful private family law team and became Machins’ Managing Partner in January 2023.

Kathryn is a member of Resolution and has been listed in the ‘Hall of Fame’ in the Legal 500 2024 and 2025.  She specialises in high net worth financial cases arising from divorce & separation particularly where there are businesses, overseas assets or complex financial arrangements as well as complex cases involving children.

 

Specialist practice areas

  • Family law
  • Divorce
  • Financial cases where there is high net worth, foreign assets or businesses or complex financial arrangements
  • Pre/postnuptial agreements
  • Private Children Act cases including internal and external relocation, residence/contact and Prohibited steps

Latest news by Kathryn Ainsworth

Machins Solicitors recognised in Legal 500 2024 Rankings

By Machins News

Machins Solicitors been recommended as a Top-Tier firm in one practice area for the fifth year running and has been recommended in seven practice areas in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2024 edition. Among the areas of expertise in which the firm is regarded includes family, corporate and commercial, employment as well as commercial litigation, private

Kathryn Ainsworth appointed Managing Partner of Machins Solicitors

By Machins News

Press Release 10 February 2023 Kathryn Ainsworth appointed Managing Partner of Machins Solicitors Following the sudden and tragic death of Managing Partner, Mark Pelopida, Machins Solicitors has appointed Kathryn Ainsworth to take over the role of Managing Partner going forward. Mark died unexpectedly after a short illness on Friday 2nd December 2022.  At the time

Machins announces death of Managing Partner, Mark Pelopida

By Machins News

Press Release – Monday 5th December 2022 It is with great sadness that Machins Solicitors announces the death of its Managing Partner, Mark Pelopida. Mark died unexpectedly after a short illness on Friday 2nd December 2022.  He was 57 years old. For the immediate future, Kathryn Ainsworth will assume the role of Managing Partner.  Kathryn

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