Our People
A |B |E |G |H |M |O |P |R |S |W
A
Abey qualified as barrister in 1993 having studied law at Cambridge and practised in family chambers in London until 2001 when he joined a major regional firm as an employed barrister. He re-qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and joined Dawson Hart in 2005 as Head of the Matrimonial Department. He is ranked in Chambers UK 2010 for matrimonial finance and children work and he specialises in all areas of family law including divorce, financial disputes, children issues, pre-nuptial agreements and law relating to cohabitees. His particular expertise is dealing with high value financial disputes involving businesses, farms and pensions and complex children matters. He is a member of Resolution, a specialist Collaborative lawyer and a Resolution trained mediator. He is also a member of the Trustee Board of the Wealden Citizens Advice Bureau and a Governor of Firle Church of England Primary School. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, wine, horseracing and mountain biking.
B
Caroline joined our Family Team at the end of January 2012. She has been a specialist family solicitor since 2004 and covers all aspects of family law assisting individuals in disputes over finances and children. She has an excellent reputation in this field and we are delighted that she has decided to join our highly regarded Family Team. Caroline spends her spare time with her young family and enjoys reading.
Emily joined Dawson Hart in September 2010 having graduated with a Law degree from The University of Surrey and completed her Legal Practice Course at The College of Law in Guildford. Emily is currently in the fourth seat of her training contract in the Employment department, having spent time in both the Litigation, Personal Injury and Family Departments.
In her spare time Emily enjoys running, playing tennis and a variety of watersports.
E
Kirsty has worked at Dawson Hart since 2002 and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in February 2008. She spent three years working in our family department and has recently moved to join our property team, specialising in residential conveyancing. In her spare time she enjoys socialising and reading.
G
Paula joined us in 2007 with a background of many years in the legal and medical sectors. She deals with the firm's advertising and marketing, co-ordinating our newsletters, brochures, editorials, press releases, seminars and other marketing events.
At home, Paula enjoys gardening, DIY, bee-keeping and art exhibitions.
John qualified in 1992 and joined Dawson Hart in 2011. He has specialised in commercial property for the last 10 years with a particular emphasis on the acquisition and disposal of businesses as a going concern (where the main assets are properties) as well as the granting, renewal and assignment of business leases. He has a keen interest in development work. Before joining Dawson Hart John worked for a large regional firm in Kent and has experience on transactions at values up to and over £20 Million with specific experience in the light industrial and manufacturing sectors as well as the licensed trade.
In his spare time John is a dedicated skier having qualified as a ski instructor many years ago and lived and worked in the Alps.
H
Jacqueline has, for a considerable number of years, helped clients who have suffered serious injuries following an accident. She has been a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers dedicated to promoting the interests of accident victims for over 15 years and Heads our team of specialist personal injury lawyers.
Jacqueline is married with 2 young children. In her spare time, she enjoys playing all sports, particularly netball and tennis, as well as teaching netball to the under 11s at her local primary school.
Jan was born in Virginia, USA and until 1991 lived and worked in London. Jan was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1992 and has spent most of her career specialising in residential conveyancing.
Jan was a scratch 10 pin bowler playing for England at international level and winning a silver medal in the World Team Championship in 2001. Jan has recently started playing golf and is striving to improve her handicap as quickly as possible. She is an animal lover and currently has four cats and a Senegal Parrot. She is married and has two stepchildren.
M
Laura qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 and joined us in 2004, becoming a partner in October 2005. She specialises in Wills, Probate, Trust, Tax Planning, Powers of Attorney and all aspects of elderly client affairs. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Laura is on the committee of the League of Friends of Uckfield Community Hospital. In her spare time, Laura enjoys Salsa dancing, running and eating out!
David was born and educated in Suffolk and studied chemistry at university, but changed direction completely to the law and qualified as a solicitor in 1981, becoming a partner in Dawson Hart in 1984. Initially David dealt with conveyancing and private client work, and in recent years has specialised in commercial property and business matters. As a result David has a wide knowledge of the law. David is married to Janet and has three grown-up children. When David isn't working towards expanding on the firm's success as providers of top quality legal services, he enjoys walking and playing golf.
Christopher joined Dawson Hart in September 2009 having graduated with an LLB from Sussex University and completing his Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford. Having completed his training contract with us, Christopher was admitted as a Solicitor in September 2011 and joined our Personal Injury team. He specialises in personal injury claims arising from road traffic accidents, workplace accidents and slips & trips.
In his spare time Christopher studies karate and holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt. He relished the opportunity of training in Japan in 2007. Christopher enjoys travelling and travelled around the world after university. He also enjoys music and sings as part of the Pro Musica Chamber Choir.
Jenny qualified as a Solicitor in 1988 after a law degree at Southampton University and joined Dawson Hart in March 2004, becoming a partner in December 2010.
After spending several years engaged in civil litigation work, Jenny decided to specialise in private client matters. She now deals with a wide variety of issues especially the administration of estates (including those where there are assets abroad), drafting Wills and trusts. She puts her litigation experience to good use by dealing with matters relating to contentious probate and claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 for provision from an estate.
When not working, Jenny spends much of her time on her small holding, caring for her sheep, chickens, dogs and cats. She enjoys choral singing and has been a member of Heathfield Choral Society for many years. She is a Morris Dancer and has made two parachute jumps for charity. Jenny is married and provides a frequent taxi service for her two teenage sons.
Kerry has worked in the legal profession for over 30 years. She joined Dawson Hart in 1998. She specialises in all areas of family law with particular emphasis on complex financial and children matters. She is a member of Resolution. In her spare time Kerry enjoys riding her Harley Davidson Motorbike, camping, classic cars, racing and spending time with her various animals.
O
Joëlle trained and qualified as a Solicitor in London and has an M.A. in French and German from Oxford University. She joined us in 1982, becoming a partner in 1985. She has extensive experience in Probate, Trust, Wills, Tax Planning, Court of Protection work and conveyancing and deals with equity release. She acts as Attorney or Deputy for many clients, assisting the elderly and vulnerable with their finances and general affairs.
Her voluntary work in the community has included involvement as a tutor and organiser in adult basic education and many years as a school governor for a local school. She enjoys photography, country walks, gardening, narrow boating, scuba diving and adventurous travel and is a member of the Lotus 7 Club.
P
Gemma studied Law and Sociology at Warwick University and joined Dawson Hart as a Trainee Solicitor in 2008. During her training contract, Gemma gained experience in Wills and Probate, Litigation, Matrimonial and Employment law. Having now qualified she has joined the Private Client team and specialises in Probate Administration, Wills and Powers of Attorney.
In her spare time, Gemma enjoys films and jogging and she is developing a keen interest in gardening.
R
Victoria qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and joined Dawson Hart as a Partner and Head of the Employment Department in March 2011.
Victoria has extensive experience in a broad range of employment law issues, advising both employer and employee clients in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal. Her specialisms include drafting contracts, Director's service agreements and Company handbooks. Victoria advises on day-to-day issues relating to disciplinaries & grievances, breach of contract, discrimination, bullying, TUPE, whistleblowing and regularly negotiates on termination/severance packages and advises on the content of compromise agreements.
Victoria runs seminars and workshops for HR professionals and Directors and contributes to newspapers, magazines and television.
In her spare time, Victoria enjoys singing, theatre going and painting.
Lorna has been with Dawson Hart for fifteen years specialising as a residential conveyancer. She has considerable experience in this field and particularly local experience, which is always useful when buying and selling houses in the locality. Lorna is a very keen horsewoman and hence her specialist area of buying and selling agricultural properties. Dawson Hart sponsor Lorna in her dressage competitions. Currently Lorna is competing with her dressage horse Ravenna S at medium level affiliated competitions. She has also just purchased an Andalusian filly to take over from Ravenna S in a few years time, who she hopes will go far in dressage.
Kim qualified in 1993 at a London firm. She then practised for several years in London before joining Dawson Hart in 2004. Kim now practises as a consultant to Dawson Hart specialising in all areas of commercial property, particularly development, investment and planning. Kim provides a high quality service for all clients ensuring they are kept regularly informed and providing pro-active, focused, practical and commercial advice to achieve her client's objectives.
S
Alison qualified as a Legal Executive in 1988 and joined Dawson Hart in 2007. She specialises in all property related issues and acts in an advisory and dispute resolution role, as well as in connection with litigation and is a member of the Property Litigation Association. In addition, Alison deals with professional negligence claims and other contentious or potentially contentious issues including contract disputes. In her spare time Alison enjoys walking and is developing a keen interest in skiing. She is also a member of a book club and is a parent governor and member of the PTA at a local primary school.
W
Jon qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1979. He has over 30 years' experience of dealing with most types of litigation, including personal injury. Since joining Dawson Hart, Jon has specialised in personal injury for over 13 years. His broad range of experience includes brain injury claims, spinal and other serious injury claims and claims for loss of dependency arising from the death of a loved one. Jon has achieved accreditation from the Solicitors' Regulation Authority for his personal injury work and specialises in "serious injury" cases. On a personal note Jon enjoys swimming, travelling, motorcars, playing pool, ten-pin bowling and is a member of the local Karate club.
Nicola Withers joined Dawson Hart at the beginning of January 2012 as Office Manager. Her previous roles have included marketing and copywriting as well as several years as a children's picture book editor.
When not working, Nicola spends her time mainly outdoors with her husband and young son. Nicola is a keen runner and trains with the Tunbridge Wells Harriers. She is currently training for this year's London Marathon.