The leading corporate law firm Howes Percival is expanding into family law, with the highly significant arrival of nationally renowned lawyer Jane Cowley as a new partner to head a new team and oversee a three-fold increase in the private client group.

Jane's arrival at Howes Percival is a major coup for the firm. Jane, who was partner and head of family law at Harvey Ingram, has advised many high-profile clients from business, sports, entertainment, farming and other professions in the UK and internationally - several of her cases involved assets of £20 million-plus.

Jit Singh, managing partner of Howes Percival, said: "Jane's arrival and the establishment of a family law team at Howes Percival is a big milestone in the firm's growth and reach. Jane brings immense personal renown and experience, plus ambition and determination to build a service and a team which makes Howes Percival a major player in family law in the East Midlands and beyond."

As well as heading the new family law team, Jane is head of the whole East Midlands private client group. By the start of May the group will have grown from being five strong to numbering eight. It is planned that the group will have grown to 15 by April 2011, when Jane will have been at Howes Percival for 12 months.

Jane, who lives in rural Leicestershire, said: "I believe absolutely in Howes Percival as a firm. As a business Howes Percival is on the cusp of dramatic and significant growth. Its commercial offering is second to none and I believe I can provide a service which complements and enhances that offer.

"This is a very exciting new challenge and I am very excited by the opportunity. I like the people at Howes Percival, the culture, their approach and I intend to be here until the day I retire. I wouldn't have considered moving unless it was to Howes Percival."

Family law includes advising individuals and families with a wide range of relationship and family concerns, which can include child residency and support, other dependents, divorce, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, trusts, pensions, business ownership and property. Jane Cowley is a qualified expert in 'collaborative law' - a method of resolving family legal issues in a spirit of co-operation, leading to a fair outcome for all.

Jane said: "Family law is about so much more than divorce. Our aim for every one of our clients is to provide the very best legal advice and insight which leads to the most desirable outcome. Family law can be a very delicate matter for many people; we strive to provide the right support at the right time."