You need to be going around a lot of solicitors to answer that question...
The most gung-ho of solicitors are the newly qualified, just so you know.
So I'll give you a frame of reference:
Do you feel more comfortable disclosing every aspect of your life (including your sex life) with a man or a woman?
Are you looking for retribution or a fair split of the assets according to the law?
Do you want a solicitor who is firm with you or firm with him?
Are you or he an expat? Is he a working solicitor/high-earning banker?
Then you need a solicitor who is not only a specialist in family law, but savvy in the workings of international financing.
What can you afford?
Are you a so called 'big money divorce', medium money divorce or small money divorce?
When you ask for recommendations, what is your current situation?
In SW London, you have access to the best solicitors and barristers in the UK. The question is: a) can you afford them (and I'm talking 6 figure costs), and b) what is your motivation for wanting 'the best'.
I have a named SHL. But I only learnt this after I hired her. She's doing a mighty fine job - but it was not a question of me choosing her, she chose me.
She could have told me take a running jump.
I shortlisted her on the basis:
I wanted a woman
I wanted a solicitor who understood international lifestyle
I wanted a woman who inspired me but was sympathetic to me
I wanted a solicitor who understood the uniqueness of my situation.
That's it.
I found that solicitor within 100 miles of my home. I did a lot of research into what I felt I needed, and shortlisted to five. My SHL was the first one on my list (by virtue of having the first free appointment).
I cancelled the other four.
I probably got lucky. As I say, she probably chose me, rather than I chose her. I could have visited the other four - I didn't.
I'm having a gloriously acrimonious divorce. I pay the bills. So far, so good in that I've managed to get loans to cover the costs (and also, thanks to my Twat of STBXH, got costs awarded after the first hearing- but I can only stress, despite what you think, I'm in the 0.002% of cases this year that have achieved that).
I'm in horrendous debt to get this far. It will be worth it in the end - but can you live with the terror of it all? I have no money in the middle.
So ask again - what do you need a solicitor to achieve for you?
Divorce is nothing like depicted in the movies. It is more of long boring accountancy meeting.
Unless you have children at school/college age. Then it's a bit more difficult.
Sorry to disappoint, but I'm hearty tired of being told to 'take my husband to the cleaners'.
I'm just fighting for my 50%. And it's hard going some days.
So be very clear about what you want...and I'll give you practical advice.