Nanette Watson, who died earlier this year aged 65 after a short illness, was an incredibly well-respected solicitor acting in care cases for children and parents.

Nanette was born in Glasgow and moved to Northern Ireland aged two. After attending Ballymena Academy, Nanette moved to London at age 21, initially working as a housing officer in Camden, where she met her partner, Ken. She studied law as a mature student and found a training contract with Alexanders before joining Traymans in 1990, where she combined both criminal defence (especially juvenile crime) and family law for 20 years, building an enviable reputation as a fiercely committed advocate. A reflection of that incredible work ethic was the comment by one of her ex-colleagues that ‘we had to employ two people to replace Nanette’.

Nanette and Ken settled in together in 1991 to start a family, and sons Danny and Conor were born in 1992 and 1999 respectively.

In April 2010, seeking a new challenge, Nanette joined Powell Spencer & Partners to specialise in care proceedings involving vulnerable children. She easily built enduring relationships with friends, colleagues and clients, and was hugely admired within the legal profession for the compassion and commitment she brought to her cases, her wise advice and her excellent advocacy.

Many tributes have spoken of Nanette’s great spirit and zest for life and work, recalling her relaxing with a laugh and natter over a glass of wine on a Friday evening after her usual hard-worked week. That said, nothing mattered more than her love for her family and her pride in her sons. She remained a country girl at heart, with a lifelong passion for walking, hiking and wild swimming, although she was equally at home in her beloved garden or in Kew Gardens for a birthday treat.

A wonderful solicitor, colleague and friend, and loved by so many, her sudden death is a devastating loss for her family and all who had the good fortune to have their lives touched by hers.

Nanette is survived by her mother Rose, brother Bobby, sister Maggie, husband Ken and sons Danny and Conor.