“William Massey is a distinguished family lawyer whose exceptional judgement, commercial sophistication and strategic restraint have made him a trusted adviser in some of the most complex high-value family disputes. His ability to navigate intricate financial, international and business-related family matters with discretion, clarity and measured authority places him among the UK’s most respected senior family law figures.”

Fantastic Lawyers® Editorial 2026

William Massey is one of London’s most respected family lawyers, widely recognised for helping high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals navigate complex divorce, financial disputes and sensitive family matters with exceptional judgment, discretion and strategic clarity.

A Senior Counsel at Farrer & Co and former long-standing Head of the Family team, William has more than 30 years of specialist experience guiding clients through relationship breakdown with calm authority, realism and compassion.

What William Massey does

William advises on the full spectrum of family law, with particular expertise in complex financial and international matters, including:

• High net worth and ultra-high net worth divorce
• Complex financial remedy proceedings
• Trust structures and divorce disputes
• Private company and business asset divorce cases
• Tax-sensitive divorce settlements
• International family law matters
• Cross-border asset disputes
• Pension-related financial claims
• Private children disputes
• Relationship breakdown involving illiquid or difficult-to-value assets

His cases frequently involve sophisticated wealth structures, overseas assets, trusts, private companies and complex international considerations requiring both technical precision and commercial intelligence.

Why William Massey stands out

William is known for his calm, strategic and highly effective approach to resolving difficult family disputes.

Originally qualifying as a corporate lawyer before specialising in family law, he brings rare commercial depth to complex financial cases, particularly where businesses, trusts and tax structures are involved.

Clients value his ability to steer emotionally charged matters toward practical, intelligent resolutions while minimising unnecessary conflict, cost and reputational exposure.

He is particularly trusted by high-profile and high net worth clients seeking discreet, thoughtful representation.

“William Massey’s years of experience mean he has exceptionally good judgement of likely outcomes and appropriate tactics. Ideal strategist.”

“He has universal respect from the profession. Totally the calmest man in the world and nothing gets by him. He gets really good settlements quietly, which is important for high net worth clients.”

Trust markers and recognition

• Senior Counsel, Farrer & Co
• Former Head of Family, Farrer & Co
• More than 30 years of specialist family law experience
• President, European Chapter, International Academy of Family Lawyers (2018–2020)
• Leading figure within the International Academy of Family Lawyers
• Band 1 ranked, Chambers High Net Worth
• Legal 500 Hall of Fame
• Top Flight Family Lawyer, Spear’s 500
• Widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading family law strategists

Approach

William combines legal excellence with emotional intelligence, common sense and strategic restraint.

He does not litigate for the sake of it. Instead, he focuses on achieving strong outcomes efficiently, discreetly and with as little collateral damage as possible.

For clients facing difficult personal circumstances, major financial exposure or international family disputes, William offers measured leadership and trusted senior counsel at the highest level.