From Lagos to Exeter: Dual-qualified solicitor joins Exeter law firm

The Family Law Company has welcomed Vincent Ibekwe to its Exeter office, bringing a unique combination of experience and qualifications to the firm’s Divorce and Finance Team.

Vincent is dual qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales, and as both a solicitor and barrister in Nigeria. He brings particular expertise in divorce and the financial aspects of marriage breakdown.

Originally from Nigeria, Vincent first trained as a secondary school teacher after earning a degree in English Literature. He later transitioned into law, studying for five years followed by a year at law school. He began his legal career with a top-tier law firm in Lagos, working on commercial and corporate cases.

After moving to the UK in 2022, Vincent worked with an immigration charity, a role he said helped him develop essential “soft skills” such as compassion and careful listening - skills he now applies to clients navigating family breakdowns.

“It’s a very different area of law to the commercial sector,” Vincent said. “But I’m using the soft skills I developed working for the immigration charity; compassion, listening, paying attention to details – which all help me to make a difference to our clients who are often struggling with difficult circumstances.”

He qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2024 and joined The Family Law Company earlier this year.

Joint Managing Director Rachel Buckley said: “On behalf of the firm I’m pleased to welcome Vincent to the team. The skillset from his work in Nigeria and immigration is quite unique and provides a number of potential benefits to our clients. We are incredibly proud of the diversity of our lawyers and the skills this brings to our clients.”