Kerry Spence > Hodge Jones & Allen > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Hodge Jones & Allen
180 NORTH GOWER STREET
LONDON
NW1 2NB
England

Work Department

Crime, Financial Crime & Regulatory

Position

Kerry is a Partner and a Deputy Head of the Criminal Litigation department. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1992, originally dealing with all aspects of high street practice but soon discovered a passion for criminal defence work which to date has not diminished. Her work often involves serious organised crime, which by its very nature is often complex and needs a through and forensic approach. She is held in high regard by her peers and clients.

Whilst she dealt with all aspects of criminal defence work, from attending police stations, advocacy in the Magistrate’s Court and preparation of summary and Crown Court trials, she has specialised in the more serious and complex cases over the last 30 years. Often those have included multi-defendant cases, such as conspiracies to murder, to defraud, to money launder, to commit armed robberies and to rob. She also represents clients facing serious sexual assault allegations, including historic sexual offences, some of which have been multi-defendant cases, rape, incitement to sexual activity and possession of indecent images. Kerry has dealt with numerous single defendant cases, including murder, large scale frauds, kidnap, drugs cases and robbery. Many of these cases by their nature have been lengthy and complex at trial and, as a result of undertaking this work over the years, she became accredited as a VHCC Supervisor, authorised by the Legal Aid Agency to undertake and supervise complex cases.

Kerry has established a faithful client base over many years who frequently refer new clients to her. This is due to her skill as a criminal lawyer, friendly, approachable and professional manner and she always strives to ensure the best outcomes for all her clients, whether privately or publicly funded.

Kerry was shortlisted for the Legal Aid Criminal Defence Lawyer of the Year 2019.

Career

  • 2015 – present Hodge Jones & Allen – Partner and Deputy Head of Crime Team
  • 2014 – 2015 Brady Eastwood Pierce & Stewart – Assistant Solicitor, VHCC supervisor
  • 2010 – 2014 Mackesys – Assistant Solicitor & Supervisor, VHCC supervisor
  • 1990 – 2010 J B Wheatley – Training contract, assistant solicitor and Equity Partner

Memberships

LCCSA (The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association)

Education

  • 1989 – 1990 Chancery Lane College of Law
  • 1985 -1988 North London Polytechnic LLB (Hon)

Lawyer Rankings

London > Crime, fraud and licensing > Crime: general

The crime, financial crime, and regulatory team at Hodge Jones & Allen are particularly well acclaimed for their work regarding protesters, young defendants, and financial crime. Raj Chada leads the practice. The ‘top-notch’ Chada is greatly experienced in protester law; he also leads other complex matters, notably a manslaughter by gross negligence case, involving two police investigations, an inquest, hospital internal investigation, and criminal proceedings, which has required instruction from pathologist, nursing, and sleeping experts. Laura O’Brien, ‘a tremendously hard worker’, specialises in representing young and vulnerable defendants, while Caroline Liggins is regularly instructed to defend both children and adults on serious allegations, including murder, sexual and drug offences. Kerry Spence is an expert in murder and multiple defendant cases, whereas Mike Schwarz currently works on protester and financial fraud matters.