ماریلا رولنسن

Mariela brings over eight years of family-mediation experience across West Yorkshire to her practice, drawing on her background as a family solicitor.

Flexible appointments

She understands that work and home commitments can make traditional hours difficult, so she offers meetings outside the standard Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm window—including evening appointments up to 9 pm—to fit clients’ schedules.

Specialisms

• Family-law mediation in Spanish
• Cross-border family mediation services

Training & employment background

• Qualified solicitor (2006): Began her career exclusively representing family-law clients in court.
• Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors (2000–2004): Family mediator and legal assistant in West Yorkshire.
• Switalskis Solicitors (2004–2009): Family solicitor and mediator; earned her Family Mediation Council certificate in 2001.
• Return to practice (2021–present): After the pandemic, refocused her career on divorce and separation, property & finance disputes, and child contact & residence issues. Recently achieved full recognition for All Issues Mediation from the Family Mediation Council.

Mariela says

“I’m passionate about the proven benefits mediation can offer couples navigating post-separation difficulties. Early in my career, I saw how long, painful and costly court battles weighed on my clients. That inspired me to focus on mediation as a first resort, reserving litigation for last. I also believe it’s essential for separating parents to maintain workable communication—for their children’s sake and their own, since they will continue to co-parent long after the separation.”

Mediation services

• Online mediation
• Qualification to sign court forms
• Legal-aid–funded mediation
• Mediation via Government Mediation Vouchers