Sophia Beekmann

Sophia is an Associate Solicitor in Watkins Solicitors’ Education Law team, advising parents and young people on a wide range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) matters.

She regularly advises families on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), annual reviews and SEND Tribunal appeals. Her work includes appeals against refusals to carry out an EHC needs assessment or issue an EHCP, disputes about the contents of an EHCP, disagreements about the educational placement named in a plan and cases involving specialist or independent provision.

Sophia has particular experience in complex EHCP and Tribunal matters, including cases where children and young people are unable to access suitable education within a school setting. She advises on Education Otherwise Than in School (EOTIS), specialist educational packages and disputes where a child or young person requires more individualised provision than a school can currently provide.

Sophia understands that families often contact a solicitor after a lengthy and frustrating experience trying to secure appropriate support. She takes time to understand the individual child or young person, the difficulties the family has encountered and what they are hoping to achieve. Her approach is clear and practical, helping parents understand their legal options, the evidence that may be required and what to expect as their case progresses.

Alongside her casework, Sophia is committed to making Education Law easier for families to understand. She has represented Watkins at the Autism and ADHD Show in Birmingham and at a Bristol Parent Carers event at We The Curious, where she provided information to parents and carers. She also contributes to Watkins’ Education Law videos and online guidance on SEND issues.

Sophia joined Watkins Solicitors in July 2022 as a Family Paralegal and became a Trainee Solicitor in January 2023. She moved into the Education Law team in January 2024, qualified as a solicitor in January 2025 and was promoted to Associate Solicitor in May 2026.

Before entering the legal profession, Sophia studied History and Ancient History before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of the West of England.

What clients say

Emma and Andrew – 5-star Review Solicitors review

“Sophia adopts a relational approach to her work, actively sought to understand our family’s specific experience, and never forgot a child was at the centre of the stressful EHCP appeal process. As a result, she provided us with highly tailored and accurate advice. The time taken to establish trust enabled her to provide us with both support and, at times, compassionate challenge.

Based on the communications we were party to and the positive outcome achieved, Sophia also established a respectful working relationship with the Local Authority Officer. Though the appeal process was long and arduous Sophia was always diligent and reasonable. She possesses excellent legal knowledge which she communicates in a way parents understand and drew on the advice of colleagues whenever appropriate.

Her documentation was consistently clear and accurate, and she always responded promptly to our questions. In the pursuit of a robust EHCP, Sophia’s combination of outstanding legal expertise and genuine, human-centered care has made a profound difference for our family. We would recommend Sophia to anyone navigating the complexities of an EHCP appeal.”