Graduated from London University. Senior Partner since 2001 and Managing Partner between 1996 and 2001.
I spent the first 16 years of my professional life working for local authorities in London specialising in Planning and Employment and was Deputy Borough Solicitor at Wandsworth Council before joining Gotelee.
Since 1989 the firm has won several substantial local authority tenders both in this region and in London and the firm's strong reputation for planning work, which encouraged me to join, has been consolidated.
I was identified by the Legal 500 in 2009 as a Leading Individual and Chambers Directory described me as "extremely perceptive and thorough". Chambers also commented that local authorities rated my advocacy skills in a practice which "is consistently of the highest standard".
I work closely with architects, planning consultants and surveyors and in 2009 I gave presentations on developments in planning law to members of the RICS in Ipswich and Chelmsford.
In 1991 I set out to offer a specialist employment law service at a time when it was not fashionable to do so. Our employment team has now expanded to include three lawyers, two of whom are partners and one is an associate, as well as two legal assistants. It has been recognised in Chambers 2009 as being "well-run" and "extremely able". Chambers were particularly flattering in their other comments, describing me as "extremely intelligent, with the capacity to deal with very complex issues". Legal 500 commented that I "offer clear advice". For the past four years I have presented an annual employment law update for the Institute of Directors. Since 2002 I have also been a part-time Employment Judge in the Employment Tribunal.
It's quite unusual nowadays to have two distinct specialisms, especially two like Planning and Employment which aren't in any way related. They do, however, have one thing in common. They are both highly technical areas of the law in which you need to be able to think and express yourself clearly.
When not at Gotelee I am particularly keen on promoting reading. I have chaired the Suffolk Book League for over a decade and brought a number of well known writers to Ipswich as well as promoting a love of literature to schools, colleges, hospices and even prisons. I believe everyone can learn from identifying with the experiences of others.
