Shaw Graham Kersh

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Partner Madeleine Corr joined Shaw Graham Kersh in 2010 and was promoted to partner in 2022. She is a highly experienced criminal defence solicitor with over 20 years' experience at Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners ranked firms in London. Madeleine maintains a diverse practice, advising clients across the full spectrum of criminal offences including murder, terrorism, complex fraud, money laundering, and serious firearm and drug offences. She provides seamless representation from initial police station advice through to Crown Court proceedings and Court of Appeal hearings. Recognised for her tenacity, meticulous preparation and strategic judgement, Madeleine works in close collaboration with clients and counsel at every stage of proceedings to secure optimal outcomes. Madeleine has developed particular expertise in representing women accused of murder and manslaughter, both at trial and on appeal. She brings acute awareness of the complex circumstances often surrounding female defendants in such cases, recognising that they are frequently victims themselves. She serves as a panel solicitor for the Centre for Women's Justice. Representing both privately funded and publicly funded clients. Madeleine also serves as the firm's Compliance Officer for Legal Practice. Madeleine is a member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, and a founding member of Women in Criminal Law.

Paul Graham brings three decades of expertise in criminal defence work to his role as consultant at the firm, having previously served as managing partner. His extensive practice encompasses the most serious criminal matters, including murder and manslaughter cases, firearms offences, terrorism charges, large-scale drug conspiracies, and grave sexual offences. Paul holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Forensic Medical Sciences from Barts and The London School of Medicine, which enhances his ability to analyse complex medical evidence in criminal cases.

Philip Hill is a consultant solicitor at Shaw Graham Kersh, having previously been a partner. With twenty-five years' experience in criminal defence work, his practice focuses on serious criminal matters including murder, fraud, money laundering, sexual offences, firearms offences, and drug supply cases. Philip's clientele is built primarily on referrals from former clients and non-criminal practitioners whose clients become involved in the criminal justice system, handling both publicly and privately funded cases.

Chloé is experienced across the full spectrum of criminal proceedings, from pre-charge advice and representation at the police station, litigating and advocating before the magistrates’ court, and litigating in the crown and High Court. She provides effective pre-charge and post-charge representation, proactively defending cases from the outset of an investigation, often resulting in no charge or the prosecution discontinuing cases before court proceedings commence. Throughout her career, Chloé has been commended for her diligent approach to cases and commitment to client care. Her empathetic nature is suited to assisting those who find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system and she is often instructed in highly sensitive cases, involving novel and complex issues. She is on the legal reference panel for the prominent organisation, Centre for Women's Justice, and works with partner, Madeleine Corr, providing specialist representation to women accused of murder and manslaughter. Chloé has a successful record in challenging extradition requests made by a variety of states. She has robustly defended clients whose extradition has been sought in respect of serious offences including murder, sexual offences, serious violence, large scale fraud and drug offences. She has extensive experience in extradition proceedings before Westminster Magistrates’ Court and on appeal before the High Court where her clients have been successful in persuading the court that they face human rights violations if removed from the UK. She has established key working relationships with lawyers in other jurisdictions, ensuring all avenues are explored for clients facing extradition. Committed to military justice, Chloé represents service personnel accused of criminal and disciplinary offences in the course of their duty before the Court Martial and, outside their work, before the civilian courts with several of her cases attracting media attention. She has contributed to the Military Law chapter in a leading Criminal Practitioners’ book: Police Station Adviser’s Handbook, published by Legal Action Group (LAG). Chloé travels nationwide to represent military clients under investigation and can attend on those serving overseas to ensure her clients’ legal rights are upheld, wherever they are based. Chloé also assists with summary dealings before a Commanding Officer and Major Administrative Action. Chloé’s practice is bolstered by her experience in respect of the Victims Right to Review (VRR) scheme where she assists those who have not been adequately protected by authorities and feel let down by the criminal justice system.

Laura Porteous is a Senior Associate. She is qualified duty solicitor and is on the Central London Magistrates' Court rotas. She regularly attends the police station and the magistrates' courts, where she has garnered much praise from the bench for her skilful advocacy. Laura also manages a caseload covering the full spectrum of criminal offences, from sexual assault, violent assault, theft and dishonesty, to drugs matters. Her ability to quickly identify the issues in a case and get to grips with matters at short notice has resulted in her regularly accepting late instructions in cases where legal aid has been transferred from other firms. Laura has a particular interest in Youth Court work and has dealt sympathetically and conscientiously with children and young adults charged with the most serious of matters. Laura is a member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association.

Raymond Shaw is the managing partner at Shaw Graham Kersh. His recent notable cases include: Criminal Defence Highlights: Securing a successful insanity defence in an alleged attempted murder case involving a businessman and colleague Successfully resisting an SFO section 2 notice demanding confidential information provided to a journalist Overturning a rape conviction at the Court of Appeal and securing acquittal at retrial Defending a multi-million pound fraud conspiracy prosecution brought by a Local Authority, spanning multiple years and businesses Regulatory and Professional Work: Successfully defending an actuary facing allegations of sexual and other assaults by a colleague in proceedings before the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) Advising lawyers and medical professionals facing professional disciplinary investigations with potential criminal liability Specialist Advisory Work: Advising a witness to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Handling football-related criminal investigations, advising directors, players and legal representatives Managing international child abduction cases Raymond has particular expertise in fraud and related financial investigations and proceedings brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and CPS specialist units.

Michael Strauss

Michael Strauss is a Senior Associate at Shaw Graham Kersh. Michael specialises in serious criminal defence including murder, drug supply, and fraud offences. With extensive experience and exceptional client care, Michael has built a loyal following through a predominantly referral-based practice. He takes pride in providing seamless representation from initial police station attendance through to trial, ensuring complete continuity of service for his clients. Michael's calm and approachable manner, combined with his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering professionalism, enables him to quickly earn clients' trust whilst consistently delivering outstanding results. His impressive acquittal rate reflects both his thorough preparation and skilled advocacy in the most serious criminal matters.