A few weeks ago, BH&O, alongside fellow B4 members Mills & Reeve, was listed among the Top Tier firms for Family Law in the Thames Valley in the Legal 500 2026 Guide — one of only four firms to earn this prestigious distinction.

The Legal 500 praised the firm’s client-centred ethos, noting that:

“There is a real focus on client care from the entire team – they each take time with their clients in a way that other firms don’t.”

In addition to the firm’s overall recognition, two partners were individually celebrated for their excellence.

• Emily Boardman was listed in the Hall of Fame for her expertise, placing her “at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for [her] longstanding involvement in market-leading work.”
• Ruth Hawkins was recognised as a Leading Partner, endorsed “by peers and clients alike” for her outstanding work in family law.

This week, BH&O’s success was further cemented with the release of the Chambers & Partners 2026 rankings. The firm achieved a Tier 1 ranking, moving up from Tier 2, while all three partners — Emily Boardman, Ruth Hawkins, and Irena Osborne — continue to be recognised as Leading Individuals in their fields.

Chambers & Partners highlighted the firm’s exceptional service, saying:

“The quality of advice and service is excellent and the team is always prepared to go above and beyond on behalf of its clients.”

Adding to the firm’s accomplishments, Ruth Hawkins has also been recognised in the Chambers Family/Matrimonial Mediation Guide for her work as an accredited family mediator.

These accolades reflect BH&O’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and expert legal advice across all aspects of family law — from divorce and separation to child protection, adoption, and mediation. The firm’s continued dedication to Legal Aid, community engagement, and charitable projects sets it apart as a practice that combines excellence with empathy.

This dual recognition marks another milestone in BH&O’s journey and a testament to the firm’s vision of providing expert family law services with care, integrity, and humanity at their heart.