Our People
A |B |C |D |E |F |G |H |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 is ranked in Chambers UK 2009 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 and horseracing.
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C
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! Dalvinder is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her son in October 2009.
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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.
F
Andrew has an LLB from Sussex University and joined our Litigation Team in 2008. He has a wide variety of litigation experience with particular emphasis on dispute resolution, contractual disputes, debt collection and commercial advice. Andrew has acted for international companies as well as building and environmental companies. Andrew is also able to offer pragmatic advice on the issues at the heart of the matter so that formal litigation can be avoided and a resolution achieved as quickly as possible. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his young family, eating out, DIY and going to the cinema.
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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.
H
Jacqueline joined Dawson Hart as a Partner in 2002 bringing a wealth of expertise in Personal Injury and Litigation. 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.
Vanessa qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and joined Dawson Hart in 2006. Before qualifying Vanessa gained extensive experience in the legal sector working as a library and information professional for a leading international law firm and also at the House of Lords.
Vanessa advises on landlord and tenant matters and a wide range of commercial property transactions. She acts for a diverse client base including companies, retailers, individuals, developers and investors. She deals with the acquisition and disposal of leashold premises, the ongoing management of them and business lease renewals. Vanessa handles the purchase and sale of freehold property, including development land, industrial and commercial premises. Her work involves dealing with title issues and advising on option agreements, conditional contracts and overage provisions.
Vanessa is a keen hill walker. She enjoys a good read, growing her own vegetables and playing golf, although this is a work in progress. The Archers omnibus is a must on Sunday mornings.
K
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 complements 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.
M
Sam joined us as 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 now qualified, Sam enjoys all aspects of employment law and personal injury, with the ability to advise employers about their Health and Safety compliance and injured clients about their employment rights and disability law.
In her spare time, Sam plays Lacrosse.
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 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.
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. Since joining Dawson Hart, Christopher has gained valuable experience in the litigation department and has now moved to his second training seat with the matrimonial team.
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.
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.
O
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.
P
Gemma has a Law and Sociology degree from Warwick University and recently completed her training contract with Dawson Hart during which time she gained valuable experience in the Wills & Probate, Litigation, Matrimonial and Employment departments. Having now qualified as a Solicitor, she has returned to join the Private Client team where she is dealing with all aspects of probate administration and trust matters.
In her spare time, Gemma enjoys films, reading and socialising.
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 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.
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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
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.
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. Larissa is currently on maternity leave.