Colleagues honour memory of ‘extraordinary family lawyer’ Neil Dring, who has died

Law firm Jones Myers has paid tribute to Neil Dring, a senior family law specialist who has died following an illness.

A highly experienced family lawyer who worked in the field for most of his career, he joined Jones Myers in 2022  heading the Divorce and Financial Remedies team in the firm’s town centre Harrogate office.

His expertise was recognised in the divorce and separation cases that he dealt with, especially those involving complex high net worth financial disputes, advocacy, property transfer and pension cases.

Richard Peaker, Jones Myers managing partner, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Neil’s death and send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

“Neil was an extraordinary family lawyer whose unwavering dedication and compassion touched countless lives.

“Neil’s passing is a great loss to the legal community and to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

“His valuable contribution to, and passion for, family law and most importantly securing the best outcomes for his clients, was outstanding and he will be sorely missed by all of us.”

After studying at Nottingham University, Dring qualified in 1984 and embarked on roles specialising in family law in South and North Yorkshire.

Those who inspired him included his late father-in-law and his own father.

A champion of resolving relationship breakdown by non-confrontational means, Dring’s dedication to family law and his local community involved him in events which included representing Jones Myers at the Harrogate Chamber of Commerce.

Martin Mann, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said: “All of us within the Chamber and the wider business community in Harrogate will remember a kind, charming and generous man with a real passion for his work and zest for life.

“Neil lit up a room with his warmth and inimitable wit, and he will be sorely missed by those who knew him,”

A backer of the firm’s longstanding charity partner, Henshaws, which supports 4,000 service users with sight loss and wide-ranging disabilities, Dring volunteered in the gardens at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, giving up his time and offering support.

He was a regular contributor of podcasts giving listeners insights and information on divorce and financial related issues on the radio station Your Harrogate.

Kate Banerjee, Jones Myers partner, added: “Neil will be remembered not only for his expertise in family law coupled with his deep sense of empathy, but also for the fact that he helped countless individuals navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.”