Meet the team

Summary

I have a variety of clients from a number of interesting sectors including education, recruitment & manufacturing. In respect of education, I enjoy my role as Vice Chairman of Barnfield West Academy. The achievements of Barnfield are phenomenal, and Barnfield West has won several awards for the ‘outstanding’ progress they have made, which has been well publicised nationally. Everyone in business knows that successful businesses strive to "do it once and do it right." This is the best approach to not only the services and products provided but also to the management of staff and the policies and procedures that are needed to support them. With all of my clients I ensure that they avoid employment disputes by doing it once and doing it right.

Expertise

I have a particular interest in the education sector and I am often called upon by regional colleges and schools to give them sound HR advice. I also have an array of recruitment agency clients so I am regularly called to advise on atypical workers (such as agency workers). Of course due to my sound commercial background I am frequently called upon to advise on TUPE issues arising from the sale or acquisition of a business.

Case studies

It is extremely rewarding when I am considered a safe pair of hands by my fellow professionals. I recently successfully defended a Legal 500 law firm when they were sued by two employees in the Employment Tribunal. Both cases were successfully won.

Personal

I enjoy socialising. This ranges from business networking, to kicking back my heels with friends and associates alike. I also enjoy reading and have yet to read a book which has matched my favourite of Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. If you have a recommendation then please email them to me!

Summary

When Employment or Commercial relationships break down, it can often be difficult for clients to see the wood from the trees.

With a background in engineering and process management, I thrive on solving complex problems; reducing them to a set of clear objectives. I then work closely with clients to identify a structured and pragmatic “action plan” through which (where possible) these objectives can be pursued.

Employment

I advise employees on a wide range of employment matters including contracts of employment, disciplinary and grievance matters and issues surrounding the termination of employment/unfair dismissal etc.

Commercial Litigation

I also undertake a diverse range of cases in relation to commercial and contractual disputes, including matters concerned with property and consumer agreements.

Case Studies

I am currently assisting clients to recover losses incurred following a serious consumer scam. 

Summary

It is an unfortunate fact of life that disputes do develop in every sphere of life and business and that these can be very difficult and very costly to resolve. It is important to choose the appropriate method for the resolution of a particular dispute. In recent times there has been an increase in the availability of alternative forms of dispute resolution. In addition to the long established tried and trusted methods of negotiation and litigation there are, for instance, adjudication, arbitration and mediation available. It is my task to guide and assist my clients in choosing and following the most appropriate and economical course to resolve their difficulties in the shortest possible time.

Expertise

I have more than 30 years of experience as a litigation lawyer on 3 continents, in South Africa, the USA and England. I specialise in a number of areas of litigation, including most varieties of contractual (commercial and consumer/private) disputes, disputes relating to business relationships such as partnerships, recovery of property and money lost through fraud and identity theft, boundary and neighbour disputes, insurance claims, professional negligence, injury and loss resulting from unlawful action by officials and employees of state and quasi-state institutions and some insolvency related disputes.

Case Studies

Recent matters include commercial contract litigations in the High Court and the County Court involving such diverse matters as a construction sub-contract, an agency contract, the dissolution of a partnership, recovery of residential properties stolen by fraud, forgery and identity theft, professional negligence and substantial personal injury claims arising from the negligent or unlawful conduct of police and prison officers.

Summary

Having started my Training Contract in May 2010 in Family, I am now undertaking my final seat in the Commercial Litigation Department. I have been exposed to various areas of litigation such as as landlord and tenant disputes, debt recovery, issuing statutory demands, contract disputes, probate and partnership disputes. I have acquired additional requisite skills in this faced paced department which are required in any career as a Solicitor. I am due to qualify in May 2012. 

Expertise

I attended Brunel University and obtained a 2:1 (Hons) in LLB Law. I chose the 4 year course to enable me to gain hands on experience during which I completed two six-month work placements. My first placement was at Saunders & Co, a leading criminal law firm situated in the heart of London. My second placement was within the Residential Conveyancing department at Pictons Solicitors and I joined on a permanent basis in 2006.

Personal

I enjoy attending the gym and in particular Body Combat classes which involves a number of martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, boxing and Tai Chi. I also have a keen interest in cooking with a focus on Mexican and Italian cuisines.