Sam is a Partner in our Bristol based Private Client team and has over 25 years' experience dealing with a wide variety of divorce and family law matters.
She is a highly experienced solicitor noted for her experience in family law, acting for clients in matrimonial and cohabitation disputes, disputes involving children and also offering legal advice for unmarried couples. Sam is also a trained Collaborative lawyer and Mediator.
Sam acts for clients based in the UK and internationally and has acted for clients with assets held in various jurisdictions including Dubai, Australia, Singapore, China, South Africa and the Sudan.
Sam's client base is broad and ranges from entrepreneurs and city executives to those with more modest assets. She has considerable experience acting for medical professionals including doctors and dentists as well as vets.
Sam has been based in the South West throughout her professional career. Prior to joining VWV she worked for a top tier firm in Bristol before taking up an executive appointment as National Head of Family Law for the Co-op.
Sam is ranked as a 'Recommended Family Lawyer' in the 2025 Spear's Family Law Index, an annual listing of the lawyers and family practitioners who are tackling the most complex, high value divorces in the UK. Described by Legal 500 as having a 'stellar reputation', Sam embraces the opportunity of settling matters outside the court arena where possible and regularly acts as a mediator for separating couples.
Sam is noted for her no nonsense approach. She is highly pragmatic and approachable with a keen eye for detail. She is also prepared to go the extra mile for her clients and will always provide constructive and commercial advice. Her aim is always to resolve disputes as quickly and cost effectively as possible and in the best interests of her client.
Samantha Hickman is listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw.
Sam is based in our Bristol office but can support you nationally and internationally.
Samantha Hickman, who leads the Bristol team , has a stellar reputation. Sam is a shining example to her team on how to conduct family law cases.
What others say
"She was constructive, sensible and pragmatic." - Chambers & Partners 2024
''I would like to say Thank you so much for all your help and support. I would not have been able to be as calm without your patience and guidance. You reassured me throughout the whole process and I could not be more grateful for your service. Please let the rest of the team know I appreciate their help and support. You really are a great team and I will always highly recommend you.''
"Samantha and her team provided exceptional service in my matrimonial matter to make the process seamless and straightforward for all parties involved. I was constantly updated on the progress along each step of the way and communication with Samantha and her team was extremely professional and speedy. I would highly recommend their services as they have been some of the most knowledgeable solicitors I have worked with."
"I cannot express how grateful I am for all that you did for me during that awful time. For your expertise, but also for your patience and the way you always strove to calm things not exacerbate them putting the needs of the children first."
What you might like to know
Sam is a Resolution accredited specialist in high net worth and cohabitation disputes. She is also an accredited member of the Law Society Family panel and a trained Collaborative lawyer and Mediator.
She has regularly appeared in the national press including the Guardian, Telegraph and the Financial Times.
When not working Sam enjoys foreign travel with her long suffering husband and two teenage girls, a good book and anything that involves being outside.
Other teams Sam works with
In addition to the Family team, Sam also works with our Property, Conveyancing, Tax, ETT and Contentious Probate teams.
