Dutton Gregory welcomes family law specialist as newest member of its partnership

After three years of outstanding enthusiasm and achievement since his arrival at the firm, Dutton Gregory is delighted to welcome family law specialist, Jonathan Whettingsteel, as the newest member of its partnership.

With a decade of experience that has earned him the respect and enviable reputation from clients, colleagues and peers, Whettingsteel was drawn to family law from the very beginning of his legal career.

After law sparked his interest as a teenager, Whettingsteel first studied the subject for A-level at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and then decided to devote the following year to seeing if the working environment of a law firm was right for him. "I sent out over 50 letters asking for work experience, received a handful of replies and was fortunate to get an interview from Abels Solicitors in Southampton who were just about to advertise for a filing clerk," Whettingsteel recalls.

During the year, Whettingsteel confirmed his ambition to pursue a legal career, proved his worth as an employee and continued to work part-time while he completed a law degree at Southampton Solent University, an LPC at Guildford College of Law and accepted a training contract where he experienced family, criminal, litigation and private client law.

"After reflecting on all my studies and experience, I knew family law was for me," Whettingsteel says. "I enjoy meeting and working with people, have always been interested in their stories and find supporting people through what is often an emotional and difficult time, very rewarding."

Whettingsteel qualified as a solicitor and made the move to Winchester in 2012 working as a family solicitor dealing with both private and publicly funded clients, as well as gaining professional accreditations from the Law Society. "Having lived in Hampshire all my life and grown up in and around the city, I have always had a huge affection for Winchester," he says. "As I approach the 10-year anniversary since my professional arrival, I really enjoy being part of its business, as well as family communities."

Whettingsteel joined Dutton Gregory in March 2018, based in the firm’s Winchester office, became an associate and was named Hampshire Law Society’s ‘Solicitor of the Year’ the following year, senior associate in 2020 and is now accepting the invitation to join the partnership.

"I knew of Dutton Gregory through meeting members of their family law team in court, and they were always positive, polite and respectful – very much in line with the firm’s reputation, so when I was presented with the opportunity to join them, I was excited to pursue it. At interview, I was impressed by the firm’s ambition and future plans and knew I wanted to be part of it. Now, as a partner, I am motivated to make an even bigger contribution to our future success."

"Jonathan is a real ‘people person’," says senior partner, Robert Bolwell. "Not only is that evident from his choice of specialism and care for clients, but his enjoyment of networking, supporting colleagues and mentoring junior staff will make a fantastic addition to the partnership. We are delighted he is joining us."