Porter Dodson LLP > Dorchester, England > Firm Profile
Porter Dodson LLP Offices

53 HIGH WEST STREET
DORCHESTER
DT1 1UX
England
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Porter Dodson LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Employment > Employment: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Tier 2
The practice at Porter Dodson LLP not only offers day-to-day advice, but has particular expertise in claims pertaining to whistleblowing and discrimination. The practice is led by Adrian Poole who is well-known for his work within the primary care sector. The practice recently saw the arrival of two new associates – Nadine Maher from DAC Beachcroft LLP and Sarah Cook from the British Dental Association.Practice head(s):
Adrian Poole
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Young; Laura Roper
Testimonials
‘Laura Roper is extremely approachable and very thorough in her work. She will make sure you fully understand all the possibilities and suggest the most appropriate options for your personal/business needs.’
‘Laura Roper has been fantastic from start to finish. Her knowledge and expertise in employment law has been extremely valuable with clear communication throughout.’
‘Porter Dodson is an excellent law firm. They are empathetic to their clients needs and very professional.’
‘Adrian Poole is very well-versed with the law and excellent at finding key legal facts that support his client’s case.’
‘A very responsive team that provides well thought out legal advice.’
‘Adrian Poole – sound advice, great to deal with. Understands the whole picture. Sarah Young – really lovely and great communications. Clear and straightforward advice.’
‘Top quality regional firm of specialist advisers and representatives covering all main areas of employment and discrimination work. Creative solutions for clients. Courageous when representing clients.’
‘Adrian Poole: very experienced employment specialist, representing clients with wisdom and pragmatism. Laura Roper: excellent specialist employment solicitor, very accomplished in dealing with complex matters and issues. Sarah Young: specialist employment solicitor dealing with all manner of employment issues. Nadine Maher: specialist employment advice and representation, dealing with complex matters and issues.’
Key clients
Toolstream Limited
Fusion Fostering
Garador Limited
W&T Limited
Penn Hill Surgery
Commercial Hot Water Solutions Limited
Maiden Newton Service Station
CC Moore
Perrys Recycling
Applebees Fitness Limited
Oakfield Academy
Xpedite Group
Forward Dental
Westbury Packaging
Somerset Local Medical Committee
Keyte Limited
Axbridge & Wedmore Medical Centre
Lyngford Park Surgery
3AB Group
Taunton Racecourse
Dorset Dairy Limited
T I Miller & Co Limited
Topsham Brewery Limited
The OCD Treatment Clinic
Work highlights
Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 3
Porter Dodson LLP is instructed by SMEs and owner-managed businesses on acquisitions, exits, management buyouts and restructurings. The practice, led from Taunton by Evelyn Adfield, also receives instructions from private equity funds. Adfield has expertise across both corporate and commercial transactions; David Culshaw is another name to note, with varied transactional experience, and recent deals spanning sectors including technology, agriculture and life sciences. Culshaw and Adfield both receive praise from clients for their ‘pragmatic and cost-effective advice’.Practice head(s):
Evelyn Adfield
Other key lawyers:
David Culshaw; Sarah Young
Testimonials
‘A helpful team demonstrating knowledge across a broad range of subject ares.’
‘Evelyn Adfield is a calm and very knowledgeable individual working in a very capable team. Evelyn assisted us in a complex business disposal and it was very comforting to be guided through this process by someone as experienced as her. Demonstrating a friendly but business like manner we owe Evelyn a great deal for her advice and her attitude.’
‘Combination of quality advice and value for money I haven’t come across in any other firm.’
‘Evelyn Adfield and David Culshaw are both excellent corporate advisers knowing when to give pragmatic and cost effective advice.’
‘Technically very knowledgable, always keeping commercial environment in mind.’
‘Excellent communication, loyalty and make all contact an excellent experience.’
Key clients
Shareholders of Prognostix-Poultry Limited
Members of Daniells Harrison Surveyors LLP
Iam Compliant Limited
Ashridge Capital
Mark Gamble
Toolstation Limited
Powerfuel Group
Tentamus UK Limited
JMC-Group Limited
Work highlights
- Advised the shareholders of Prognostix-Poultry Limited on the sale of their shares to an overseas acquirer within the Merck group.
- Advised the members of Daniells Harrison Surveyors LLP on their sale to Eddisons Limited, part of the Begbies Traynor Group.
- Advised Ashridge Capital in connection with the management buy-out of Fargro Limited, the leading supplier of horticultural supplies in the South and South East.
Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 3
Private client > Family Tier 3
Porter Dodson LLP divides its practice into two specialised teams, one overseeing divorce and financial matters, and the other overseeing children law matters. The practice is led by Richard Baker. He has over 25 years' of family law experience and is well versed in matters concerning overseas assets, companies and trusts.Practice head(s):
Richard Baker
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Marshall; Cathryn Smith; Julia Perrins; Ellen Saunders
Testimonials
‘First-class expertise and execution, from a well drilled team of skilled people; Friendly and considerate personal service, with absolute attention to detail.’
‘All members of the team that I interact with demonstrate the same high level of friendly efficient service, without exception.’
‘Richard Baker is always friendly and personable.’
‘PD’s Family teamare highly professional, knowledgeable, approachable, informative and unexpectedly client-focused.’
‘Porter Dodson have very good strength in depth across all areas of family law.’
‘They offer high quality advice in a practical and common sense way.’
‘A go to & dynamic firm who concentrate on the big picture.’
‘Richard Baker stands out as a highly intelligent and tough litigator who is always prepared to go the extra step for his clients.’
Work highlights
Real estate > Commercial property: Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire Tier 3
Praised for being ‘not only knowledgeable but also very client-centric and easy to work with’, Porter Dodson LLP is sought out by clients for its experience in residential development and land transactions, secured lending, energy and renewables, as well as advising GP partnerships across the region on their property requirements. Practice head Ben Hingley regularly supports landowners on the full range of commercial property. ‘Highly skilled practical lawyers’ Louise Sanders and Victoria Walker are further key contacts.Practice head(s):
Ben Hingley
Other key lawyers:
Louise Sanders; Victoria Walker; Steve Farnham; Gemma Lindegaard
Testimonials
‘The commercial property team at Porter Dodson provide clear, no-nonsense advice in a manner crafted to the needs of the clients.’
‘Whatever issue we’ve needed dealing with has been handled efficiently and professionally by both Gemma Lindegaard or a colleague of hers best suited to a particular issue.’
‘We work closely with Gemma Lindegaard for most of our property related dealings, and always find her extremely approachable, knowledgeable and thorough.’
‘Steve Farnham is excellent, always available but quietly gets on with matters unless he has a genuine query. He always contemplates whether there is a more straightforward way of accomplishing the matter in hand.’
‘Louise Sanders and Victoria Walker are highly skilled practical lawyers giving a wide range of advice , bringing in help when needed on specialist matters , but always keeping the client at the fore of their thoughts.’
‘Well rounded multi-disciplinary firm, wide range of skills and efficient at getting work done.’
‘The team are not only knowledgeable but also very client-centric and easy to work with. Where issues arise they take a practical approach to resolve these, in a way that works for both the client and third parties.’
‘Victoria Walker is my principle contact and personally delivers all of the above, in a style which promotes collaboration and efficiency.’
Key clients
Toolstation Limited
Wells City Practice
Minehead Medical Centre
Lynton Health Centre
HS Supplies
Trustees of the Camel Pension Fund
Levers Estates Limited
Work highlights
- Acting for a solar developer on multiple sites nationally in the sector of solar parks and battery storage.
- Advising Toolstation Limited on the acquisition of in excess of 60 leasehold warehouse/trade counter units over the year as part of Toolstation Limited’s continuing rapid roll out programme.
- Advising the partners of Lynton Health Centre in respect of the transfer of the business and assets to a company, backed by the local NHS Trust.
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4
Porter Dodson LLP has specialist advice in care home funding; its expertise here includes negotiations with local authorities when overseeing trust assets. The practice is led by Sharon Collier.Practice head(s):
Sharon Collier
Other key lawyers:
Kate James; Ian Sankey; Sarah Stone; Tom Mottram; Clare Sanderson
Testimonials
‘Depth in terms of number of personnel and but also the knowledge and experience these individuals have.’
‘Sharon Collier is articulate and communicates well with clients.’
‘I was impressed by the quick response and positive attitude to help.’
‘Tom Mottram was always helpful and provided feedback throughout the process.’
Work highlights
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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![]() | Richard Baker | Head of Family Department – specialises in resolving financial remedy and cohabitation… | View Profile |
![]() | Nicola Scott | Consultant solicitor specialising in fertility law, including surrogacy, donor conception, co-parenting, adoption,… | View Profile |