Biography
I am a Family Law Partner at Irwin Mitchell, working in the Birmingham and London offices. I'm part of the national team and support clients in the UK and internationally.
My aim is to put my clients at the heart of everything I do and deliver a bespoke service with commercial and emotional intelligence at its core. With over 20 years’ experience, I’m ranked as a Tier One lawyer by independent legal guides such as in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. I strive to always achieve excellence for every client, in every situation.
I support individuals and business people and specialise in dealing with financial settlements for high net worth clients with a specific focus on wealth protection. I achieve positive outcomes in and out of the court room and work collaboratively.
I’m regularly instructed to deal with pre and post nuptial documents, complex children matters, as well as Living Together Agreements in cases of extreme wealth. This experience allows me to find positive solutions in any number of challenging situations.
Whether you’re going to Court or need to negotiate a settlement, I'll help you find the way forward. With a strategic approach and direct, straightforward advice, I’ll work alongside you to achieve the very best outcome for you and your family.
No case is too big or too small, I’ll be on your side and will guide you through the legal maze of family law.
Testimonials
"Zahra Pabani is a powerhouse, with a wealth of knowledge and experience over her vast career." - Legal 500, 2025 (Leading Partner)
"Zahra Pabani - a strong personality and a force of nature. Very strong approach to her cases which no-one is under any illusion will be a fight to the last." - Legal 500, 2023
"I rely upon her expertise and receive the very best advice at all times." - Chambers & Partners, 2023
"She's a very dynamic person and problem solver." - Chambers & Partners, 2023
"Zahra Pabani has the ability to work with all types of clients at a very difficult time." - Legal 500, 2022 (Leading Individual)
"Zahra is outstanding. She has a deep bedrock of expertise combined with her capacity to see clearly through the murky waters of complex and vexatious issues." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
"I like the fact that Zahra Pabani is direct, no nonsense and a ball of energy. Completely fabulous. You will never leave a conversation with Zahra not knowing where you stand" - Legal 500, 2021 (Leading Individual)
Zahra is "amazing in every way: on the ball, always following up on the next step, has great experience, and takes a thorough approach."- Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
"Her advice is always clear and to the point and she is always friendly, compassionate and professional in her delivery." - Chambers 2020
Zahra Pabani "excels in the full range of financial remedy proceedings, which are mostly high value and often involve business, trust or pension assets, a can do attitude, knows how to make clients feel at ease." – Legal 500, 2019
She is "highly recommended for advising clients on the full spectrum of family law matters, from complex international disputes to sensitive children law cases, her advice is always clear and to the point and she is always friendly, compassionate and professional in her delivery." – Chambers & Partners, 2019
Client Testimonials
"Zahra Pabani was kind, compassionate and really helpful when I was stuck and unsure about my options. Her advice was thorough and responsive to my needs." - 5* Trustpilot reviews
"Zahra Pabani merits the 5 stars all alone; a superb communicator, who tells you where you are going to end up from the outset and avoids the blind alleys that heighten costs, and disappointment. An outstanding family lawyer." - 5* Trustpilot review
"I received exceptional support from Zahra Pabani. Her robust communication as well as her strategic leadership skills are worth a notable mention. But it is Zahra’s analytical and thorough approach that really sets her apart, and further compliments her ability to get the very core of the issue quickly and efficiently. I have always found Zahra to be professional, tactical and vigorously dedicated which makes her an outstanding lawyer, and I would happily recommend." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Had an incredibly positive experience with Irwin Mitchell recently - specifically Zahra Pabani who works in Family Law. She was incredibly generous with her time and never made us feel rushed. She's assertive, highly competent, very candid and able to cut to the chase very quickly. I felt completely reassured after years of bad experiences with the courts and I felt that we now have a true ally on our team who will guide us through a deeply troubling period. I'm sleeping at night again after one meeting." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Zahra, gave some fantastic advice about how to deal with my complex legal matter. She was crystal clear and very knowledgeable, with full transparency about my options and the best course of action. Highly recommended you reach out to Zahra for an open and honest discussion. Truly and asset to her firm." - 5* Trustpilot review
"I had to deal with a very difficult contentious matter and Zahra Pabani was an excellent lawyer for the job. She took over the case from someone else because I was so unhappy with the way things were going and turned it around. Calm, strategic and offered excellent guidance throughout, including helping to balance costs realities against various dispute options and achieving a financially beneficial outcome - highly recommend." - 5* Trustpilot Review
"I have been a client of Zahra’s for 10 years. She has served me personally on family law matters and has also been my primary interface . . . on areas of legal specialism. Whilst her personal advice can always be relied upon as first rate it is her level of customer centricity that sets her above any other lawyer." – Client
"After my initial meeting with Zahra, I knew she would be the right person to help me. I was in a very difficult marriage with someone who promised to make the divorce as hard as possible . . . Zahra knew exactly how to deal with every situation and did so clearly and calmly. I had no desire for drama but I did need someone who would not be intimidated . . . She is flexible yet firm, professional and knowledgeable. . . She was absolutely the right person and I would have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone." – Client
"I had an hour's consultation with Zahra which left me feeling in control, confident and clear about my options going forward. She was straight forward, to the point and didn't waste a minute, I feel confident Zahra is someone you would want on your side and will be using Irwin Mitchell's services." - 5* Trustpilot Review
What inspired you to get into law?
I've always enjoyed legal dramas, watching the cut and thrust of court litigation or the very clever approach to settle a case. I literally thought - I could do that.
I’m a people person through and through and I want to help people, fight for them, solve their problems and find a way forward. Family law seemed the obvious choice.
I like the fact that no two cases are the same. I could be dealing with a multi-million-pound business, a housewife, a farmer or a heart surgeon. I find people interesting and love to connect with those from all walks of life.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
People who walk through my door can be broken, angry or lost, they need a plan and a way forward. I take great pleasure in working with them to work out that plan. There are no problems that can’t be solved and together we can find a way forward.
What do you do away from the office?
I have a young daughter who keeps me young, fit and very busy!
Publications
Pensions and divorce – Mail online and This is Money, 2018
No fault divorce – Times law, The Times, The Times Scotland and and the Yorkshire Law Society, 2018
No fault divorce – Metro and High Broadcast and ITV news!, 2018
Surrogacy and he rights of same sex divorcing couples – The Gay UK, 2018
No fault divorce – Lawyer monthly, 2019
