Our People
A |B |C |D |E |F |G |H |J |K |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 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 trustee of Wealden Citizens Advice Bureau. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, wine and horseracing.
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C
John joined the firm in 1985 as head of our Accounts Department. He has been proactive in the firm's growth and expansion over that period and is a regular participant on our carnival float! In his spare time, he is a Town Councillor in Uckfield and is passionate about the town and surrounding areas. John has been an interested follower of the Sussex Bonfire Societies since the 1960s and is very keen on local Sussex history.
Ray's legal career started in 1963 and he has worked for a number of large international law firms in central London. His range of litigation experience lies between House of Lords and Revenue Appeals to prosecutions in the Magistrates Court, including 20 years day to day practical experience in the High Court in London. Ray joined Dawson Hart in August 2000 to specialise in Claimant Personal Injury Litigation which he enjoys enormously. Ray specialises in cases that have unusual aspects on liability and has expertise in serious injury cases. Ray's hobbies can be described as numerous and range from football coaching to playing pub league pool and he is an expert at quizzes!
D
Dalvinder Dhinsa joined Dawson Hart in 2007 as Head of the Company & Commercial Department. Dalvinder brings with her experience gained working in three other highly regarded Kent based law firms (acting for a variety of businesses) and as the lead in-house lawyer for a major public house and hotel operator. Dalvinder specialises in company and commercial law, including all contract issues, confidentiality agreements, shareholders agreements, partnership agreements, disposal and acquisition of shareholdings in companies and business assets. In her spare time Dalvinder enjoys playing badminton, travel and is a foodie!
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Kirsty has worked at Dawson Hart since 2002 and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in February 2008. She specialises in all areas of family law and is a member of Resolution. In her spare time she enjoys socialising and reading.
Petra qualified as a solicitor in August 2000 and joined Dawson Hart in December 2005. Petra has spent the last few years training as a Notary Public and qualified to start practising as a Notary in February 2008. In addition, Petra is head of our residential conveyancing team, an area which she has specialised in throughout her legal career. In her spare time, Petra is a keen sportswoman, having won two silver medals in fencing (Sussex County).
F
Andrew has an LLB from Sussex University and completed his Legal Practice Course with the College of Law in Guildford. He is now in his last year as a trainee solicitor and is looking forward to qualifying with the firm in September 2008. Andrew has gained a range of experience throughout his training contract and clearly has flair for litigious work, having prepared cases and attended court hearings. He has also just become a Dad (again!) and so 2008 is already a successful year for him.
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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.
Jane qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and joined Dawson Hart in 2006. Her experience includes all aspects of Landlord and Tenant work, freehold and leasehold acquisitions, conditional contracts and options and business sales and purchases.
H
Malcolm joined Dawson Hart upon qualification as a Solicitor in 2005. He specialises in all forms of civil and commercial disputes including contractual disputes, professional negligence and debt collection. He can also advise upon issues relating to bankruptcy and insolvency. In his spare time Malcolm helps run a car enthusiasts' club. He also enjoys films and music and riding his motorbike.
Jacqueline joined Dawson Hart as a Partner in 2002 bringing a wealth of expertise in Personal Injury and Employment Law. She has been a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers dedicated to promoting the interests of accident victims for over 10 years and accredited by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority for her personal injury work (formerly the Law Society's Personal injury Panel) since 1999. She is also a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association and enjoys the overlap of Personal Injury and Employment work, advising clients on their employment issues and Health and Safety requirements.
As Managing Partner of the firm, Jacqueline enjoys the responsibility for the progression and growth of the firm and particularly encourages all staff to reach their full potential and continually strive for and achieve new challenges.
Jacqueline has a young family and enjoys playing all sports, particularly netball.
Since leaving college Jackie has specialised in residential conveyancing, joining Dawson Hart in 1999. Jackie works with Jeremy Jackson to provide clients with the full support they need to guide them through the process of buying and selling a home. Jackie lives locally and is married with two children. When not working, she enjoys meeting with friends and going out for meals.
Vanessa qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and joined Dawson Hart in 2006. She has advised on a range of commercial property transactions and Landlord and Tenant matters.
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Jeremy joined Dawson Hart as a consultant in their residential property department when Dawson Hart amalgamated with Jeremy's firm, David Renshaw & Co, in 2006. Jeremy practised in partnership with David Renshaw until the latter's retirement. Jeremy came to Uckfield in 1976 and has lived on the Rocks Park Estate in the town since 1978. His six children have all been educated in Uckfield and so he has close ties with the local community.
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Joanne joined us in 2005 bringing with her extensive experience of advising employers and employees across a wide range of employment law issues. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Joanne worked as an HR manager in the public and private sectors and this background compliments and gives a pragmatic and commercial edge to the advice she provides to HR managers, company directors and employees. She has taken part in radio interviews, written articles and presented many seminars and in-house workshops on topical employment issues. Joanne is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a Member of the Employment Lawyers Association. Joanne enjoys films, music and travelling in her spare time.
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Sam joined us as a trainee solicitor in August 2007 after graduating from the Legal Practice Course at Cardiff University Law School. She was immediately seconded to Cancer Research UK for a month to assist their legal team on employment matters and really enjoyed the experience. Having finished her first "training seat" in the employment department, she is currently with the residential property team.
In her spare time, Sam plays Lacrosse and since joining us, she has set up regular badminton sessions, keeping the rest of the staff fit!
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 tack 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 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 and cricket.
Jenny qualified as a Solicitor in 1988 after a law degree at Southampton University and joined Dawson Hart in March 2004.
Kerry has worked in the legal profession for over 25 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 she enjoys playing with her dogs and riding her motorcycle.
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Joëlle has an M.A. in French and German from Oxford University. She trained and qualified as a Solicitor in London and joined us in 1982, becoming a partner in 1985. She combines a wealth of experience in Probate, Trust, Wills, Tax Planning and Court of Protection work with years of conveyancing experience, so that she is well placed to advise in relation to equity release. She acts as Attorney for many clients and as Deputy for many more, assisting the elderly and the vulnerable with their finances and general affairs.
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Chris has worked in a legal environment for over 14 years and joined us as our Office Manager in 2003. Amongst a whole range of duties, she recruits new members of staff, deals with advertising and marketing, health and safety issues, staff training and library resources. In her spare time, Chris enjoys walking, gardening and travelling.
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Lorna has been with Dawson Hart for nearly eleven 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 specialises in development, investment and planning. Kim's aim is to provide a high quality service for all clients. She ensures clients are kept regularly informed and provides pro-active, focused, practical and commercial advice to achieve objectives.
Alistair qualified in 1994. He trained in the City of London and worked there for many years during which time he completed a tour of duty to an overseas office before returning to the UK and moving south. He joined Dawson Hart in January 2007 as Partner in charge of Litigation. Always a litigator, Alistair practised in many areas and can bring that experience to the fore advising upon issues such as contractual disputes, professional negligence and sale of goods. Alistair is also an accredited Mediator and can advise first hand on all forms of alternative techniques to litigation. Alistair is married with a young family and in his spare time enjoys fine wine and food (and the occasional round of golf!).
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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 her spare time Alison enjoys walking her two dogs and reading, though not at the same time. Alison is a member of a book club and is also developing a keen interest in skiing.
W
Larissa joined Dawson Hart in 2004. She qualified as a Solicitor in November 2007. She studied with The Institute of Legal Executives before completing her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford. Larissa started specialising in Personal Injury work in 2001. She deals with all aspects of personal injury work including occupiers liability accidents, accidents at work and road traffic accidents. Larissa is also experienced in making claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to assist victims of crime. Larissa's hobbies are karate, swimming and learning Spanish.
Stuart is a senior solicitor in our Commercial Property Department and a member of the Finance Houses Association. He qualified in 1979 and joined us in 2004 after spells in industry, commerce and private practice. Stuart specialises in the food and drink industry and business acquisitions and sales.
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 and has specialised in personal injury for the past 11 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 and motorcars and is a member of the local Karate club.
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