Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP

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Cameron Barlow

Cameron Barlow

Cameron Barlow is a Partner and Head of the Real Estate Investment Team at Birketts, which is one of the largest groups of specialist real estate investment lawyers operating outside London. Cameron has over two decades of commercial real estate experience, having trained and practised with a major international City law firm for the first 6 years of his career. Cameron then spent 12 years in the London office of a leading US law firm, advising on numerous high-value and complex real estate and real estate financing transactions. Cameron is experienced in the full range of commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions and disposals, financings, leasing, management work, joint ventures and development.
Sharon Bell

Sharon Bell

Sharon Bell joined Birketts in August 2023 as a Legal Director in our private wealth disputes team and is based in our Sevenoaks office. Sharon specialises in complex contested probate matters including disputed wills, invalidity challenges, cross-border disputes, Inheritance Act claims, Promissory/Proprietary Estoppel claims, Trust disputes, Non-Contentious Probate issues including rectification applications and lost wills involving overseas beneficiaries. Executor disputes including breach of trust, devastavit claims, death bed gift claim and professional negligence against solicitors, executors, and will drafters. Sharon is a key advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Sharon has experience of Judge led Chancery Financial Dispute Resolution and Early Neutral Evaluation hearings. Sharon has also dealt with applications for relief from the Forfeiture Act 1982. Sharon is praised by clients for sensitively and compassionately guiding them through the stresses and strains of this difficult area of law whilst successfully achieving impressive results.
Lucy Birch

Lucy Birch

Lucy is a Legal Director in the Chelmsford family team. Lucy is an experienced family law solicitor. She joined Birketts in June 2024, having previously worked in the London office of a national specialist family law firm. Prior to this, since qualification, she has worked at several leading firms in London and Essex. Lucy has a down-to-earth approach and a keen eye for detail. She is experienced in advising clients from all walks of life, including modern families, high net worth clients and international clients. She has a particular interest in complex children matters and often advises clients on cases with involving domestic abuse, alienating behaviours and substance abuse. Lucy regularly acts on behalf of grandparents to advise on contact arrangements for their grandchildren and she advises on special guardianship orders. Further, Lucy is a specialist in private adoption cases and has advised many families on non-agency adoption matters, including step-parents, special guardians and private foster carers. She also advises clients on adoption matters with a foreign element. She has advised clients all over the UK, with knowledge of many local court practices, working with various local authorities and adoption agencies. Lucy’s cases regularly have an international element, and she has advised parents on complex relocation matters, including successfully representing clients to ensure the return of their child to the UK after abduction to a Hague Convention country. Lucy also has a wealth of experience in advising clients on financial matters arising from separation. She is experienced in advising on complex financial remedy proceedings, including family businesses, intervenor issues and significant pensions. Lucy advocates for the use of all forms of non-court dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration to try and resolve disputes without the need for litigation. Lucy is also experienced in drafting cohabitation agreements, pre and post-nuptial agreements, often involving cross-jurisdictional issues.
Adam Blenkinsop

Adam Blenkinsop

Adam is a Senior Associate in our litigation and dispute resolution team. He has over 16 years’ of experience in advising corporate, charitable, and private clients on a wide range of contentious matters in both the County and High Courts. Adam is a strong advocate of the use of mediation in facilitating settlement where appropriate, and is also well versed in other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution, including expert determination.   Adam’s work includes advising on contract claims, shareholder and director disputes (including unfair prejudice petitions), breaches of restrictive covenants, professional negligence claims, and contentious trusts and probate matters. Adam is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers’ Association (PNLA).  Adam is also currently assisting the supervision and support of the firm’s debt recovery team, based in the Ipswich office. Adam has volunteered as a Solicitor Advisor at Norfolk Community Law Service for over a decade, providing pro bono legal advice to members of the public.
Emma Brunning

Emma Brunning

Emma Brunning is a Partner in the family team at Birketts, where she leads the Chelmsford practice. She has practised exclusively in family law since qualifying as a Solicitor in 1997 and advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, with an emphasis on divorce, complex financial disputes, and nuptial agreements.  She is a qualified Arbitrator, Resolution Accredited Specialist, Collaborative Lawyer and she is able to offer help to couples through One Couple One Lawyer. Emma is particularly experienced in high‑value and complex matters involving family‑owned businesses, trusts, international assets and substantial pensions.  Her qualifications enable her to offer clients a full range of dispute resolution options tailored to their individual circumstances. Recognising that relationship breakdown is often one of the most challenging experiences a client will face, Emma takes a highly personal and pragmatic approach, ensuring that each case is treated as unique and that her advice is carefully tailored to her clients’ objectives and family priorities. She is committed to resolving disputes constructively wherever possible, seeking to minimise conflict, cost and delay through negotiation or non-court dispute resolution, whilst maintaining strong and effective representation through the court process when required. Emma is widely recognised for her strategic, client‑focused approach and her ability to deliver clear, pragmatic advice in high‑pressure situations. She is noted for her “astonishing eye for detail” and her measured yet resolute representation of clients. Clients and peers describe Emma as approachable and reassuring, instilling confidence through sound and balanced advice while maintaining a focus on achieving the best possible outcome. She is ranked as a matrimonial specialist by Legal 500 and Chambers.
Adam Burden

Adam Burden

Adam Burden qualified as a Solicitor into our agriculture and estates team in 2017 and became a Legal Director in 2025. He is based in our Sevenoaks office. Since joining the agriculture and estates team, Adam has gained a wealth of experience acting for landowners, farmers, agri-businesses, landed estates and others across a full range of agricultural, landed estate and viticulture matters. His experience includes advising on the acquisition and disposal of farms and rural property; general estate management matters; complex land transactions including pre-emption agreements, option agreements and overage agreements; and secured lending. Adam is named as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ by Legal 500 [UK 2027] and an ‘Associate to Watch’ by Chambers [UK 2026]. Adam is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and a Council Member of the Kent County Agricultural Society.
Sebastian Burrows

Sebastian Burrows

Sebastian joined Birketts as a Partner in April 2026, having previously worked for the country’s largest family law firm where he successfully established and grew several offices in East Anglia and Essex. Sebastian has been a specialist family lawyer for 20 years and prides himself on client relationships rooted solidly in trust and openness. His approach is centred around effective and humane professional communication to resolve disputes and to help clients avoid the need to embark on litigation where possible. Sebastian specialises in complex financial cases and sensitive children cases often involving allegations of dishonesty and abusive behaviour. Sebastian is consistently listed in the Legal 500 rankings and in recent years as a Leading Partner.
Emma Bysouth

Emma Bysouth

Emma qualified in 2016 and is a Partner in our corporate team based in our Ipswich office. Emma advises on the full range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, group restructurings and general company law. Emma has a particular specialism in corporate transactional work and regularly supports clients on the acquisition and disposal of businesses. She also has extensive experience acting on large, complex international transactions. Emma leads Birketts’ automotive sector group, a multidisciplinary team with significant expertise in advising clients across the automotive industry. She manages several key sector relationships and has a strong track record of successfully advising on acquisitions and disposals within the automotive sector. In addition to her transactional expertise, Emma is recognised for her pragmatic, solutions‑focused approach and her ability to deliver clear, commercially grounded advice. She particularly values the opportunity to build long‑term relationships with clients, supporting them through each stage of their business lifecycle.
Vicki Chilton

Vicki Chilton

Vicki Chilton is a Partner at Birketts, where she leads the Real Estate Utilities Team. With a co-lead role in the Energy and Infrastructure Sector Group, Vicki has a passion for all things energy-related. She brings a wealth of expertise and a keen focus on client satisfaction and is known for exceptional communication and dedication to delivering client goals. Vicki and her team specialise in delivering Land Rights for statutory undertakers, network operators, gas transporters, water incumbents, and fibre network operators. This includes installing new assets for electricity, gas, water, and fibre connections, as well as managing the existing network. Sites include residential developments, commercial buildings, key infrastructure projects, and data centres. Navigating the complexities of real estate, commercial property, utilities, land rights, and the energy sector, Vicki ensures the team provides strategic advice and cost-effective legal solutions to leading UK utility companies. They secure sufficient land rights within the electric, gas, fibre, heat, water, and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. Their extensive experience in managing over 1,000 land rights instructions annually, including leasehold and freehold acquisitions, deeds of easement, and deeds of variation, underscores their proficiency in this highly competitive market. Vicki is committed to understanding the political and regulatory background of the utilities sector, helping clients meet their statutory obligations and achieve their commercial objectives. Her approach involves close collaboration with clients to deliver sound commercial advice, ensuring successful project outcomes and regulatory compliance. With a passion for innovation and excellence, Vicki continues to drive the growth and success of Birketts’ Real Estate Utilities Team. Her dedication to client service and her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes make her a trusted partner for clients seeking to achieve their goals in the real estate and energy sectors.
Patrick Cooney

Patrick Cooney

Patrick Cooney is a Partner in our construction and engineering team and is based in our Cambridge office. Patrick joined Birketts in 2021 from a global law firm and is a Partner in the firm’s construction and engineering team and based in our Cambridge office. Patrick has a particular focus on major infrastructure and logistics projects including nuclear power stations, railways, motorways and some of the largest data centre projects in Europe. Patrick is part of the firm’s Energy and Infrastructure group and is head of the firm’s specialist data centre sector. Patrick also has extensive experience advising clients in the public and education sectors. Patrick also advises on dispute resolution in construction projects and is often engaged by clients at an early stage to resolve disputes before they escalate to a formal dispute process such as adjudication or litigation.
Helen Cordingley

Helen Cordingley

Helen is a Partner in the Norwich Private Client Advisory Team. Helen was admitted as a Solicitor in 2006 and joined Birketts in September 2019. Helen has over 20 years’ experience in Private Client law including tax and succession planning for high net worth clients, complex estate administrations including Deeds of Variation where appropriate, the creation and administration of Trusts, Wills and Powers of Attorney. She also has experience of being Court appointed independent Personal Representative in contentious probate matters, working alongside our Private Wealth Disputes Team. Helen is a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) having passed the diploma with distinction. Helen is Secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich STEP Committee which arranges up to date training and seminars for their members. Helen is also a Trustee of Big C. Helen is based in our Norwich office.
Lisa Cornish

Lisa Cornish

Lisa specialises in advising clients in relation to their finances and arrangements for their children following the breakdown of their marriage, relationship or civil partnership. Lisa trained and qualified as a Solicitor at Eversheds in 1994 before moving to Hansells in 2002 where she was a Partner and headed up the family team.  Lisa joined Birketts in 2018. She is a Senior Associate in our Family Team. Lisa has many years of dealing with all aspects of family law and is known for listening carefully to her clients concerns and objectives and for her practical, calm and empathetic approach.   Lisa deals with clients with a variety of issues and assets, modest or significant, including family business structures, farming partnerships, complex pension arrangements and trusts.  Lisa works hard to find practical and efficient solutions to problems and will advise on strategy and outcomes. Lisa also deals with cases that involve issues relating to children and, as with financial cases, she will seek to resolve disputes effectively, including by using out of court methods such as mediation or arbitration where suitable, but will act firmly and with determination and will advise where court proceedings are necessary.
Nicola Curle

Nicola Curle

Nicola qualified in 2003 and joined Birketts in 2024. She is a Partner in our Real Estate Division and part of the Residential Development Team in the East Anglia region. Nicola specialises in development sector projects, particularly housebuilder work. She has over 20 years’ of experience advising landowners and housebuilders in respect of site acquisitions and disposals to deliver both residential and commercial development. She regularly advises on complex conditional contracts, options, promotions and development agreements, as well as joint venture consortium arrangements (contractual, corporate and LLP structures). Nicola provides commercial and pragmatic advice to Housebuilders to ensure contracts are structured to achieve swift site delivery from acquisition to plot disposal. Nicola has extensive experience in tackling development constraints and drafting bespoke documents in accordance with emerging legislation, such as BNG, Nutrient Neutrality and Habitat Management Agreements. Nicola also has a wealth of experience of publicly funded development projects for local authorities and education institutions to assist clients in creating new facilities and buildings for community benefit. This includes advising on LEP funding and clawback agreements, surplus land disposals with overage and mitigation site acquisitions.
Nicola Doole

Nicola Doole

Nicola Doole has more than 20 years’ experience in planning law. She spent 10 years as the lead planning lawyer at a City Council and has vast experience in drafting and negotiating complex section 106 agreements, certificates of lawfulness applications, planning enforcement matters, providing CIL advice and planning objections and appeals. Since arriving at Birketts in 2016, Nicola has acted for residential developers, local authorities and private individuals on a vast range of planning matters. Over the last few years Nicola has assisted and, has a team she now leads, assisting our corporate and real estate teams with planning due diligence; providing planning red flag reports, the planning elements for reports on title and certificates of title and drafting planning clauses for contracts and agreements for lease.
Clarissa Dumolo

Clarissa Dumolo

Clarissa is a Legal Director in our Shipping and International Trade Team.  She joined Birketts in September 2023 from Ince & Co. Clarissa has considerable experience dealing with insurance litigation, with a particular specialism in marine claims in the yacht and superyacht market and insurance fraud. Clarissa deals with a range of claims to include liability disputes, subrogated recovery claims and policy coverage advice in relation to claims including defective works, collision claims, contractual disputes and cargo claims. Clarissa also has significant experience in dealing with non-marine insurers and handling property damage claims. Clarissa forms part of our Insurance Sector Group. Clarissa is based in our Bristol office.
Pamela Dunning

Pamela Dunning

Pamela is a Legal Director in our Shipping and International Trade Team. She joined Birketts in May 2014 having previous corporate experience at Herbert Smith (now Herbert Smith Freehills). Pamela deals with all aspects of contentious shipping and international trade disputes, including charterparty disputes, cargo claims and international sales contracts. She has particular experience with under-performance claims relating to the speed and consumption of ships. She acts for owners, charterers, cargo interests, insurers, transport companies, inspection companies and international trading companies and has experience of both LMAA and LCIA arbitration proceedings, including handling LMAA and LCIA hearings in London. Pamela also has experience of English High Court proceedings, including at trial and with applications for anti-suit injunctions.   Pamela is based in our Ipswich office.
Alex Elliott

Alex Elliott

Alex joined Birketts in November 2024. He is an Associate in the Employment Team. Alex is based on the firm’s Chelmsford office and provides specialist employment law advice to managers, HR departments and in-house legal teams, as well as senior employees. He frequently provides expert commentary to the media and his insights have been published in both national and industry publications. Since 2022, Alex has specialised in contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, including settlement agreements, TUPE, grievances, disciplinary and performance management procedures, and Employment Tribunal litigation with a particular focus on defending claims of discrimination. Alex has experience of working closely with public sector organisations, ranging from large public authorities to academy trusts and maintained schools. Prior to this, Alex trained at Fladgate in London where he gained experience providing pragmatic and commercially focused employment law advice to senior executives as well as employers of all sizes.
Sarah Evans

Sarah Evans

Sarah Evans joined Birketts in February 2025. She is a Partner in our construction and engineering team and is based in our London office. Sarah has built a strong reputation as a disputes avoidance and resolution lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in construction, engineering and energy projects both in the UK and internationally. She has particular expertise in managing risk on live projects and avoiding and resolving substantial and technically complex disputes. She has acted for multinationals, PLCs, public bodies, private sector clients, and high net worth individuals in advising on a wide range of bespoke and standard form contracts including JCT, NEC, ICE, RIBA, ACE, FIDIC and PFI/PPP forms. Project experience includes mixed commercial/residential schemes, road, rail, airports, prisons, educational and hospitality establishments, energy from waste plants, social housing, residential conversions and new builds, telecommunications schemes, ports and conversion of offshore marine vessels. Sarah works with all key members of the construction supply chain, devising strategies to maximise attainment of commercial, strategic and financial objectives. She has expertise in ADR, adjudication, TCC litigation and domestic and international arbitration. Her international arbitration expertise covers disputes in Europe, West Africa and the UAE conducted under ICC, LCIA, LMAA and DIFC-LCIA as well as ad hoc rules.
Alex Forwood

Alex Forwood

Alex Forwood is a Partner in the corporate team in Chelmsford. He regularly advises on acquisitions by large corporate groups, company disposals by individual shareholders, and corporate reorganisations. He has acted for international groups on cross-border acquisitions and disposals in a variety of different sectors. In addition, Alex regularly advises a broad range of clients from start-ups to established businesses on shareholder investments, shareholder partial exits and corporate governance matters.  Most recently, Alex has been involved in acting on a number of corporate transactions in the private equity sector, including new investments by private equity investors and disposals by private equity owned portfolio companies. Alex is also a member of Birketts’ food and beverages sector group, which brings together fee-earners in the firm with particular experience in acting for clients in the food and beverages sector. He manages several relationships with food and beverages clients for Birketts, and has a strong track record in delivery of mergers and acquisitions in the sector.
Helen Garner

Helen Garner

Helen Garner is a Partner in the corporate team based in Sevenoaks. Helen specialises in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and cross-border transactions. She advises corporates, private equity investors, founder-led businesses and management teams on acquisitions, disposals, investments and joint ventures. Helen is recognised for her cross-border M&A practice and regularly advises international clients on UK acquisitions, disposals and investments. She has extensive experience leading multi-jurisdictional transactions, coordinating legal advisers across multiple territories and helping overseas businesses navigate UK legal and regulatory issues. Her clients include US-listed companies, private equity-backed international groups and overseas investors pursuing UK acquisition strategies. Prior to joining Birketts, Helen worked at Cripps, Latham & Watkins (London) and Pinsent Masons. Helen is named as a Leading Partner in Legal 500 [UK 2027].
Gemma Goddard

Gemma Goddard

Gemma Goddard joined Birketts in October 2018 having trained and worked in London at a Magic Circle law firm for more than a decade. She is a Partner in our commercial real estate team. Gemma’s expertise spans all aspects of commercial real estate work, focussing on acquisitions and disposals, portfolio management and financing, development and land promotion. Gemma is also a specialist in energy and infrastructure projects and a member of our firm-wide energy and infrastructure team. She has a keen interest in emerging specialisms and is a member of our natural capital group. Gemma is a diligent and personable multi-tasker who delivers clear and commercial legal advice. She is effective at navigating complex transactions and negotiations and is committed to ensuring timely delivery and consistently high-quality output from her team, for her clients. Gemma acts for a wide range of clients including large corporate entities, family businesses and individuals, owners of strategic land sites (being part of our strategic land development team) and developers. Gemma is based in our Cambridge office, where she co-leads the team, and is a member of the Cambridge University Land Society.
Jessica Godfrey-Withey

Jessica Godfrey-Withey

Jessica Godfrey-Withey is a Partner in our private client advisory team. With over a decade of experience, she advises clients on all aspects of succession planning, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, inheritance tax strategies and lifetime gifting. She has a particular interest in supporting farming families and family‑owned businesses, where personal, commercial and succession considerations often overlap. Alongside her lifetime planning work, Jessica is highly experienced in the Administration of Estates. She regularly handles complex estates involving diverse asset portfolios and trust‑related issues. Jessica has a strong focus on trust matters, advising on the creation and restructuring of trusts, trustees’ duties, and the associated tax implications and reporting requirements. Jessica works closely with business owners, landowners and families, helping them navigate a wide range of often sensitive and complex issues – both legal and personal.
Devreaux Gravell

Devreaux Gravell

Devreaux qualified as a Solicitor in September 2001 and joined Birketts in September 2019. He is a Partner and Finance Lawyer in our Corporate Team and is Head of our Real Estate Finance Team. Prior to joining Birketts, Devreaux worked at a leading London-based global law firm where he advised on a wide range of finance transactions. Devreaux has extensive experience of advising both lenders and borrowers on all aspects of general corporate lending and real estate finance transactions. As a result of the global financial crisis of 2007-2008 Devreaux also has considerable experience of restructuring a wide range of finance transactions from both a lender and borrower perspective.
Simona Gruodyte

Simona Gruodyte

Simona Gruodyte joined Birketts in September 2018. She is a Senior Associate in our corporate team. Simona provides advice on matters including the sale, purchase and restructuring of businesses, lending arrangements for companies, compliance with the Companies Act 2006, investment transactions, shareholders’ agreements and equity arrangements for business owners. She also provides independent legal advice to individuals on the terms of personal guarantees, subordination deeds, legal charges and third party security agreements. Simona also provides advice to startups, scale-ups and investors navigating early stage funding and venture capital transactions. Simona is fluent in Lithuanian and speaks basic Russian. Simona is based at our Cambridge office.
Alastair Gunn

Alastair Gunn

Alastair is a Partner in our corporate team, based in Cambridge. Alastair advises clients on a wide range of corporate transactions with sector expertise that includes media, food, hospitality, engineering, technology and professional services. Alastair works with owner-managed businesses and corporate clients predominantly in the UK but also with an international network and client base across Europe and the US. Alastair is known and praised by clients for his personable, approachable and pragmatic style.
Alice Harris

Alice Harris

Alice is a Legal Director in our Property Litigation Department and leads the firm’s highly regarded private residential housing practice. Alice has a wealth of experience in advising parties in respect of residential housing disputes as well as dealing with the non-contentious aspects of occupational agreements such as drafting and advising on agreements and obligations. She speaks and writes regularly on the latest developments in Housing Law and is the firms’ “go to” person for any work relating to the private rental market. She has provided training to clients and agents on a variety of topics, such as Assured Shorthold Tenancies and possessions. Alice’s expertise also includes a broad array of commercial landlord and tenant and real property work. She has extensive experience in boundary disputes and rights of way disputes.
Kate Harris

Kate Harris

Kate Harris is a Partner in the private wealth disputes team at Birketts LLP, based in the Cambridge office. She specialises in contentious trusts, estates and inheritance matters, advising private individuals, trustees, executors, beneficiaries and charities on complex and often sensitive disputes. With more than a decade of experience, Kate has extensive expertise in will validity challenges, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, trust disputes, breach of trust claims, estate administration issues and the interpretation and rectification of wills and trusts. She is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and is recognised for her clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice. As a member of the landed estates team, Kate advises landowners, farming families and estate representatives on disputes involving rural and landed assets. Her experience includes claims arising from succession and inheritance disputes, trust and estate administration issues, proprietary estoppel claims, and disputes concerning agricultural and landed property interests. She combines technical expertise with a practical understanding of the unique challenges facing individuals and families responsible for managing significant landed estates. Kate is also a member of the firm’s equine team, supporting clients where equestrian interests form part of contentious estate or trust matters. She is committed to finding practical solutions and has successfully resolved many disputes through mediation and alternative dispute resolution, while maintaining a strong track record in litigation when necessary. Having joined Birketts LLP in 2021 and becoming a Partner in 2024, Kate has built a reputation as a trusted adviser in private wealth disputes. She is ranked in Chambers High Net Worth, where clients praise her technical expertise, commercial judgement and empathetic approach, describing her as “extremely personable”, “understanding and proactive”, and a “truly exceptional solicitor”.
Stefan Harris-Wright

Stefan Harris-Wright

Stefan Harris-Wright is Head of Construction and Engineering and is based in our Cambridge office. Stefan has a wide range of experience working on non-contentious construction matters. He acts for a variety of both public and private sector clients, including further and higher education colleges, academies, local authorities and NHS Trusts, as well as funders, developers, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants. He advises on industry standard form contracts (such as JCT, ICE, NEC, GC/Works, IchemE, PPC2000, ACE, RIBA, RICS etc), as well as regularly preparing and advising on bespoke forms of contract. Stefan is experienced in advising on energy and infrastructure projects, with particular interests in schemes relating to anaerobic digestion and biogas, battery storage, EV charging, hydrogen, nuclear, onshore wind, private utilities connections and solar. Stefan also has a specialism in acting for both borrowers and lenders on the construction aspects of real estate finance transactions.
Juliet Harvey

Juliet Harvey

Juliet joined Birketts in January 2017. She is a Partner in our family team. Juliet was the first Chartered Legal Executive to hold the post of Chair of Resolution (a national organisation with over 6,500 members across the Family Justice Arena).  Juliet leads Resolution’s work with the Courts and sits on a number of national working groups dealing with family law issues, participating in regular meetings with Senior Judiciary, HMCTS and the Ministry of Justice.  Juliet has worked exclusively in East Anglia throughout her career. Equally at home dealing with contested financial issues (including considerable experience dealing with pensions, company assets and inherited assets), Juliet also deals with children issues, including advising grandparents and wider family members. She is a stickler for detail. Juliet can also advise on enforcement of financial awards, having a firm grounding in debt collection. Juliet encourages clients to explore dispute resolution at the earliest opportunity. Juliet is a trained Mediator, a Collaborative Lawyer and is also qualified to deliver Resolution Together, a One Lawyer, One Couple approach. Juliet is based in our Ipswich office but is happy to accept instructions via telephone/video call through the UK and beyond.
Lisa Hayward

Lisa Hayward

Lisa qualified as a Solicitor in October 2006 and joined Birketts in 2007. She is a Partner in our Corporate Team. Lisa is an experienced Employee Incentives Lawyer and public speaker. She is praised by clients for her clear, concise and pragmatic advice. With specialist expertise in the area of employee incentives and rewards Lisa advises clients on the design, drafting and tax efficiency of all types of incentive arrangements as well as the suitability and effectiveness of existing schemes. She also provides training, support and guidance to assist with successful implementation of employee incentives to maximise effectiveness. Lisa is an advocate of employee ownership. She works with clients who are already employee owned and supports those who are looking to move towards employee ownership. Lisa’s experience as an In-house Lawyer working in a London Borough prior to joining Birketts, coupled with her employee ownership expertise means that she is well placed to assist with public sector spin-outs.
Tom Hodges

Tom Hodges

Tom Hodges joined Birketts in 2010 and is a Partner in our shipping and international trade and (re)insurance teams. Tom acts for ship-owning, chartering and commodity-trading clients and their insurers, advising on issues under charterparties, bills of lading and sale contracts. Tom also provides P&I, FD&D and charterers’ liability advice to P&I Clubs and their members. He regularly speaks at conferences and industry events on the issues that commonly affect his clients. Tom’s insurance practice extends to general advisory work and coverage issues, as well as advice on policy wordings. Tom regularly travels to Asia and is well-known in East Asian markets, particularly Singapore and Japan. He also works extensively in the London and European markets, including in France, Holland and Belgium. Tom qualified as a Solicitor in September 2012.
Sarah Holsgrove

Sarah Holsgrove

Sarah qualified in September 2010, having trained with the firm. She specialises in all aspects of contentious shipping and international trade work with a particular interest in charterparty disputes such as underperformance claims, off-hire disputes, laytime and demurrage disputes and claims relating to charterers’ orders. Sarah has particular expertise in disputes concerning tankers / liquid cargoes and issues relating to bunkers. Sarah has also handled a variety of disputes relating to cargo, both on behalf of cargo interests and carriers. Clients that she acts for include shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, cargo insurers, traders and freight forwarders. Sarah has been involved in a number of high value and complex disputes, and has dealt with High Court hearings, arbitration proceedings under the London Maritime Arbitrators Association and Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre rules and mediations. She has attended arbitrations in London and Hong Kong.
Stephen Horscroft

Stephen Horscroft

Stephen Horscroft is a Partner in our private client advisory team in Sevenoaks. Stephen advises individuals and their families on Wills, estate and tax planning, trusts, administration of estates, powers of attorney, and capacity issues. He provides strategic, practical guidance to help his clients achieve their goals and manage legal challenges with confidence. Known for his clear, pragmatic approach, Stephen supports clients through complex and often sensitive matters with efficiency and care. Stephen is ranked by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2026]. In this edition, a client notes: “Stephen Horscroft understood our circumstances quickly and gave good and effective advice, which was implemented expeditiously.”
Claire Jones

Claire Jones

Claire Jones is Partner in our public sector team.  Claire qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 joining Birketts in 2020 as an experienced Local Government Solicitor. She started her career in the city and before joining Birketts worked in-house in local government. Claire uses her deep sector knowledge to advise public bodies, on statutory powers and duties, and compliant decision making, including providing specialist advice on Unitarisation and LGR. Claire leads Birketts delivery of advisory services to local authorities going through the process of Unitarisation, leading on both advice and training to the sector.    Claire leads on high value multi-disciplinary projects across local government functions, advising on powers, procurement and subsidy control to deliver strategic schemes. Claire particularly specialises in structuring complex procurements, including through corporate vehicles and has extensive experience of drafting and advising on complex contractual arrangements including “light touch regime” social care contracts, frameworks, open frameworks under Procurement Act 2023 and a range of complex intra authority agreements and joint working arrangements. Claire has a strong track record in delivering co-ordinated and highly technical legal advice in a practical way, delivering projects on time, on budget and in accordance with good governance.
Simon Keen

Simon Keen

Simon Keen is a Partner who jointly leads both the Cambridge commercial real estate team and also our strategic land team and is also Birketts main Public Sector Real Estate Partner. He is recommended by The Legal 500 as a ‘Leading Partner’. Simon’s core practice covers strategic land promotion, development joint ventures, structured development fundings and development leasing (with a focus on acting for occupiers), as well as asset management and real estate investment and financing.  Having spent the first 18 years of his career at a major international firm, Simon deploys a wide range of commercial real estate expertise for the full benefit of his clients. His experience of acting for occupiers and landowners has taught Simon to keep a tight focus on the commerciality of deals, and the points that matter, and he is well-regarded for providing pragmatic, commercial advice.  As the chair of the committee that oversees and updates the Model Commercial Lease, he is at the forefront of the industry when it comes to lease negotiations and market practice. Simon strives to build constructive working relationships with both clients and counterparties in order to ensure that the experience of each transaction is as smooth and good natured as it can be, which is especially important given many of the transactions on which he advises require the parties to work together over periods of 10-20+ years. His most recent experience includes acting for landowners, promoters and developers on several major strategic land projects across England, including joint venture agreements, promotion and development agreements and structured sale/purchase agreements, while his landlord/tenant experience includes acting for both major institutional investors and blue chip corporate occupiers on retail, office and industrial/logistics properties, including pre-leasing offices and disposals of surplus space (by way of assignment, subletting and surrender) and lease regears and renewals.
Bethany Kent

Bethany Kent

Beth joined Birketts in November 2020 shortly after graduating from the University of Essex with a Law degree (2:1). Prior to joining, Beth worked for the Essex Police Force as an Assessment Officer, gaining valuable experience in the gathering and analysis of information to assist with effective and timely decision making. Beth is based in our Ipswich office and assists the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team in advising clients on a variety of commercial litigation matters, including product liability and other breach of contract claims, shareholder and director disputes and claims arising from employment contracts (including interim injunction applications). Beth qualified as a Solicitor in June 2024.
Stephanie Kingdon

Stephanie Kingdon

Stephanie joined Birketts in June 2025. She is a Partner and leads our property disputes team in the Bristol office.  Stephanie specialises in commercial property disputes, with a particular focus on strategic risk mitigation and complex dispute resolution across the retail, infrastructure, energy and renewables sectors. She acts for national and regional commercial property owners and investors – including prominent retailers, landlords, tenants, transport operators and renewable energy developers. Stephanie is a core member of our retail sector group. Her practice includes extensive experience of the retail sector, managing large national occupational portfolios for household‑name brands and charities. She also handles technically complex, high‑value infrastructure disputes, often involving multi‑disciplinary project teams. Stephanie is known for delivering clear, commercially focused solutions and for navigating complex retail portfolio strategies, as well as contentious issues that intersect with large‑scale development, regeneration and operational projects. Notable expertise includes advising on:  Retail Rent reviews; re‑gears; lease termination (including forfeiture and break rights); asset and portfolio management; contested and uncontested lease renewals (including 1954 Act strategy and litigation); landlord consent and alteration disputes; site clearance; disrepair and dilapidations; breach of covenant; service charge challenges; and the full spectrum of landlord and tenant disputes Infrastructure Title and ownership issues; disputes under development agreements; securing and enforcing land rights for infrastructure projects; statutory and contractual undertakings; and advising on the acquisition, protection and expansion of operational space for leading transport operators. Energy and renewables Complex contractual and interpretation disputes; issues arising under agreements for lease or purchase; options and overage agreements; land rights (including easements and restrictive covenants); access and operational rights; and trespass and nuisance claims involving energy, renewables and grid‑related assets.
Andrew Kinnison

Andrew Kinnison

Andrew is the lead Partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team in our Norwich office. The team plays a central role in the firm’s region-wide litigation practice. Andrew’s core speciality is commercial disputes, for individuals and companies. He and the team deal with national, international and cross-border disputes, on a wide range of issues. Andrew’s particular experience includes company law (including shareholder and M&A disputes), partnership law (including, particularly, farming partnerships and other professional partnerships), professional negligence, property litigation and insolvency. He has dealt with many things, from an abandoned donkey in Suffolk, to a fraudulent trading case in Hong Kong. Andrew originally qualified as a Barrister, before requalifying as a Solicitor Advocate (All Higher Courts) in England & Wales, and then as a Solicitor in Hong Kong – where he worked as a Partner in the Hong Kong office of HFW, a leading global law firm. While Andrew always endeavours to resolve a matter without having to resort to court proceedings, if possible, he therefore has considerable experience with court proceedings, and, indeed, arbitration.
Sian Leonard

Sian Leonard

Sian specialises in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency whether it is acting for the officeholder, director, bankrupt, lender, creditor, or other stakeholder in the insolvent estate. Sian’s work also involves a lot of front-end work in her advisory role and with transactional work, meeting very short timescales, addressing whatever issues are thrown at her, and ultimately delivering great results for her clients. Sian is also the main point of contact for some of Birkett’s lender clients. Sian has been awarded the 2019 winner for rising star – SME at the Insolvency Practitioner Association awards. Sian is also heavily involved in R3 as a committee member of the Eastern Region of R3, the Association of Business Recovery Professionals and a member of the R3 London Women’s Group. This allows her to understand, appreciate and hopefully promote the insolvency industry to everyone effected by insolvency.
Mark Li

Mark Li

Mark is a partner in the firm’s commercial real estate team based in our Bristol office. Mark has over 20 years’ experience in high value complex commercial real estate transactions, with a particular emphasis on development, infrastructure and investment projects. Mark’s expertise covers all aspects of landlord and tenant work, portfolio management and the sale and acquisition of freehold and leasehold property. He also has a specific interest in acting for infrastructure owners and developers in the transport and energy sectors.
James Marsh

James Marsh

James Marsh is a Legal Director in our private client advisory team with 18 years’ experience advising on wills, trusts, estate administration, inheritance tax and succession planning. He acts for a broad range of clients, including academics, business owners, farmers, high net worth individuals and other professionals. James often works with multiple generations of the same family, helping them navigate the practical, personal and tax aspects of preserving and passing on wealth. James is known for taking a collaborative approach and regularly works alongside accountants, financial advisers, investment managers, land agents and other professional advisers to deliver joined-up, practical advice for his clients. James is recognised as a Leading Associate in The Legal 500 UK 2027. Clients have described him as “efficient, professional, friendly and inspires confidence”. Another commented: “James Marsh has been such a help to me. He is extremely knowledgeable, updates you continually and keeps to his promises. He does not mind how many questions you ask, or how many emails you send. He gives you his time and is happy to chat anything through.” James is a full member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), the leading professional body for trust and estate specialists, having attained full membership through the successful completion of STEP’s professional examinations. Outside practice, he is actively involved in the local community, serving as a trustee of Cambridge Science Centre since February 2022, where he sits on the Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees, and as a trustee of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, to whose Board he was elected in October 2024.
Alexandra Nelson

Alexandra Nelson

Alexandra qualified as a Solicitor in October 2005 and joined Birketts in September 2016. She is a Partner in our Corporate Team in the Ipswich office. She has gained excellent corporate and commercial experience having previously worked for a top US law firm and advises on a full range of legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, group restructurings, general company law issues, and commercial contracts. Alexandra has particular experience working with manufacturers and distributors of highly engineered products used in aerospace and defence applications and advises on export control and sanctions compliance. She also gained valuable industry experience following a year spent working in-house as sole counsel for a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company and working as interim counsel for a pharmaceutical company and a satellite communication business. Alexandra has managed and worked with teams across the globe, including the US, the EU, the Middle East and Asia. Her clients include international businesses, private companies and start-ups.
Stephanie Newman

Stephanie Newman

Stephanie Newman is a Senior Associate in our Cambridge office and is a member of our corporate finance team. She joined Birketts in 2016 after qualifying in 2015. Stephanie specialises in tax-driven reorganisations, corporate restructuring and corporate finance matters, regularly advising clients on reorganisations, acquisitions and mergers, both domestic and cross-border and often involving large corporate groups. Stephanie regularly advises clients on corporate governance matters and family investment companies. Stephanie is also one of our specialist solicitors in our equine team, advising clients on matters such as the sale and purchase of their equestrian businesses, the restructuring of equestrian businesses and governance matters, including shareholders’ agreements and partnership’ agreements.
Dwight Patten

Dwight Patten

Dwight Patten is a Partner in our commercial real estate team, based in the Cambridge office. Dwight has over 25 years of experience in a range of sectors. He specialises in acting for higher education and other educational institutions, local authorities and charities. Having been seconded on multiple occasions to large regional universities, Dwight possesses a keen understanding of the key drivers of such organisations and the regulatory frameworks in which they operate. Dwight is the property lead in Birketts’ Education Sector Team. Dwight and his team also have an extensive corporate support and corporate occupier practice in the Cambridge area and wider eastern region, often advising on strategic relocations and fit-outs of existing or new build premises and also advising on key property issues in the context of corporate acquisitions and disposals. He possesses a well-honed ability to focus on the issues that will genuinely be relevant to the client’s aims and outcomes and tailor a successful strategy with those issues and the client’s time-scale firmly in mind. Dwight also advises landowners in relation to strategic promotion and option agreements, including the internationally recognised Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Ella Patten

Ella Patten

Ella Patten is a Solicitor in the litigation and dispute resolution team, based in our Ipswich office. Ella’s practice focuses on a broad range of commercial litigation matters. Ella advises on complex civil and commercial disputes, including disputes arising from corporate mergers and acquisitions, indemnity claims, employment contracts, personal guarantees, loan agreements and the misuse of confidential information. She also has experience of advising on disputed and high-value debt recovery claims and insolvency proceedings, including bankruptcy. Ella works with global companies across industries, including agriculture, aerospace and financial services, among others. In addition, Ella maintains an active pro-bono practice, advising individuals in respect of commercial and contractual disputes and civil proceedings and supervising colleagues providing advice on disputes of this nature. Ella is an effective commercial disputes lawyer who combines strategic insight with a practical, client-centric approach. She guides clients through complex disputes with clarity, shaping her advice to align closely with each client’s commercial priorities and desired outcomes whilst carefully balancing risk, cost and proportionality.
Hayley Pettitt

Hayley Pettitt

Hayley Pettitt is a Partner and Head of the Norwich private client advisory team. Hayley was admitted as a Solicitor in 2008 and joined Birketts in September 2019. Hayley has over 17 years’ experience in Private Client law. She advises a wide range of clients including landowners, entrepreneurs and other professionals. Her areas of specialism include advising high net worth individuals on Wills, administering complex estate administrations, succession planning and strategies for family businesses and farming families, setting up and administering trusts and powers of attorney. Hayley is a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) having passed the diploma with distinction in 2012. Hayley is vice chair on the Norfolk and Norwich STEP Committee which arranges up to date training and seminars for their members. Hayley is based in our Norwich office.
Katy Poole

Katy Poole

Katy Jarratt-Poole is a Partner in our corporate team, based in Cambridge. Katy is a collaborative corporate lawyer known for her calm, pragmatic approach and her ability to guide all parties through transactions with clarity, humour and confidence. She specialises in M&A transactional work, acting predominantly for owner‑managed and family businesses navigating exits, acquisitions and strategic growth. Katy also has a strong interest in succession planning and regularly works with private client and estate planning teams. Her experience includes advising on family investment companies and the use of trusts within corporate structures. Before joining the firm, Katy chaired the agriculture and rural business sector at her previous practice, developing significant expertise in farming partnership agreements and reorganisations designed to support diversification or succession within farming enterprises.
Andrew Priest

Andrew Priest

Andrew Priest joined Birketts in June 2020 and is a Partner in our commercial and technology team, based in our Cambridge office. Andrew is a commercial lawyer with over thirty years’ legal experience advising a range of private and public sector clients across commercial law firms in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Brussels. With an MBA from Manchester Business School, Andrew is well-placed to offer advice on commercial and technology related arrangements, projects and deals of all descriptions. Andrew has significant expertise and experience in the ICT, cleantech and life sciences sectors, specialising in technology and business process outsourcing, technology transfer and licensing, and telecoms projects, both nationally and internationally. As an intellectual property specialist he drafts and negotiates agreements for the commercial exploitation of patents and trade marks, and also advises on a wide range of data protection issues, from GDPR compliance and policies to data security and international data transfer. Andrew is dual qualified in England & Wales and in Scotland. He was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1990 and in Scotland in 1997 where he became an accredited IP specialist.
Andrew Ridout

Andrew Ridout

Andrew Ridout joined Birketts in September 2011 and is a Legal Director in our commercial real estate team. He acts for a variety of corporate and private clients based both locally and nationally, ranging from landlords and tenants to banks and other funders and investors helping with acquisitions, disposals, refinancing and asset management. Andrew also advises on the property portfolios of several regional property investors, high street retailers and restaurateurs. Andrew also regularly advises on secured lending matters for most of the main high street lenders, whether acting for the bank alone, or for the bank and their borrower jointly. Andrew supports the firm’s corporate teams on their M&A transactions which involve a commercial real estate element. Andrew has always had an interest in gadgets and technology, and this supports his role as his team’s ‘Tech Ambassador’, helping to drive forward the firm’s ambitious plans to install, adopt and use the latest technologies and software to realise efficiencies and deliver a reliable and consistent service to our clients. Andrew is also a member of the Eastern Regional Board for LandAid, the charity of the property industry.
Josh Ripman

Josh Ripman

Josh joined Birketts in 2012 and is a Partner in the firm’s Commercial Dispute Resolution team. He acts for both corporate and individual clients across a broad range of industries and sectors and has significant experience of conducting litigation in both the County Court and High Court. Josh is a tenacious litigator who is recognised for providing clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice, particularly in relation to high value and complex disputes. Josh advises on a wide range of contentious matters, including contractual disputes, negligence claims against professionals, debt recovery, insolvency-related matters and other commercial conflicts. He regularly assists clients at every stage of the dispute resolution process, from early strategic advice and pre-action negotiations through to trial, enforcement proceedings and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation. In addition to acting in a broad range of commercial disputes, Josh advises a number of regional and national housebuilders, predominantly supporting customer care teams in relation to post-sale disputes and claims. Josh has extensive experience of insolvency-related litigation and regularly acts for petitioning creditors in relation to winding-up and bankruptcy proceedings. He also represents businesses and individuals faced with insolvency action, including obtaining urgent injunctive relief where winding-up petitions have been presented improperly or as an abuse of process. Josh is also Head of Birketts’ debt recovery team. In that role, he leads a specialist team acting for a diverse client base ranging from SMEs and family-owned businesses to national and multinational organisations. The team handles high-volume debt recovery portfolios as well as complex and contested recovery and enforcement matters, providing practical and cost-effective solutions designed to maximise cash recovery while protecting commercial relationships. Josh is based in our Ipswich office.
Ed Savory

Ed Savory

Ed Savory joined Birketts in 2016 (having spent the early part of his career working in London) and is a Partner, leading our corporate team in Norwich. Ed specialises in corporate transactions, leading teams advising business owners, corporates and private equity funds on acquisitions, disposals, management buy-outs, fundraises and employee ownership trusts. Ed heads the firm’s food and beverages sector team and is responsible for managing many of the firm’s relationships with key food and beverages clients, including providing strategic advice. He is well connected and knowledgeable within the sector and is driving the firm’s growth in food and beverages across the UK. Ed is a member of Birketts’ Responsible Business Committee.
Jack Shreeve

Jack Shreeve

Jack Shreeve qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in August 2018 and joined Birketts in March 2019. He qualified as a Solicitor in September 2019 and is a Senior Associate in our commercial and technology team. Since joining Birketts and given the prevalence of cloud-based software, Jack has developed considerable experience in drafting and negotiating Software as a Service (SaaS) agreements from both a supplier and a customer perspective. Additionally, Jack has advised extensively on digital transformation projects, cloud-based agreements, AI, service level agreements, mobile application agreements, website development projects and software licencing agreements. Jack advises a wide spectrum of clients from technology start-ups to established technology clients. In addition to Jack’s technology sector work, he has had significant experience in advising energy infrastructure providers on a variety of commercial contract matters (including in respect of Ofcom Regulations, provision of geospatial drawings using an online platform and framework agreements for the supply of goods, services and software licencing). Jack has spent time developing technology sector knowledge by attending basic software development courses to deepen his sector knowledge.
Charlotte Sloan

Charlotte Sloan

Charlotte Sloan is a Partner and leads our South East employment team.  Charlotte predominately advises employer clients on a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious aspects of employment law.  She has deep expertise in helping employers to strategically and commercially resolve disputes with employees and assisting organisations in promoting a positive culture for staff, supporting many organisations with employment law training on topics from diversity and inclusion to grievances, disciplinaries and performance management to how to retain and attract staff. Charlotte has advised businesses and organisations from across a range of sectors and industries. She has a particular specialism in supporting clients in the education sector, including independent schools and colleges and has a strong understanding of the nuances of employment law specific to the sector and issues that commonly arise. Charlotte also has significant experience of advising major businesses and organisations in the transport and logistics and automotive sectors. In addition to providing advice on day to day employment law issues, complex tribunal proceedings and disputes and collective redundancy and TUPE consultations, Charlotte has considerable experience advising on employment status issues including in connection with IR35, on the employment aspects of ESG and navigating trade union relations and industrial action in the workplace.
Amanda Smallcombe

Amanda Smallcombe

Amanda Smallcombe is a Partner and Head of private wealth disputes, based in our Chelmsford office. She joined Birketts in May 2024 having been a Partner for 14 years at another leading regional firm. Amanda has over 26 years’ experience as a litigator specialising in the field of contested trust and probate work. Amanda is a longstanding member of ACTAPs – the Association of Contested Trust and Probate Specialists. She has a wealth of experience advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries in will disputes, Inheritance Act claims, issues concerning the administration of estates and trusts and proprietary estoppel claims. In addition, Amanda also specialises in contentious Court of Protection work concerning disputes about the conduct of attorneys, deputies and applications for statutory wills as well as investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian. Amanda regularly deals with complex multimillion pound cases, estates with assets in other jurisdictions, including offshore trusts and cross border disputes. Amanda is a recognised leader in her field. For several years Amanda has been named as a ‘Leading Individual’ by Legal 500. In the UK 2024 edition she is described as “the complete private client litigation solicitor”. Amanda is also recommended by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2023] as “cautious, knowledgeable, tenacious and just excellent”. Amanda has appeared on the BBC Inside Out program, was interviewed by The Guardian newspaper and regularly delivers webinars and seminars. Amanda is ranked by Chambers High Net Worth [UK 2026]. In the latest edition, a client notes: “Amanda is experienced, pragmatic and thorough“.
Charlotte Strutt

Charlotte Strutt

Charlotte Strutt is a Senior Associate in Birketts’ agriculture and estates team. She advises landowners, farming families and rural businesses on a wide range of rural property matters. Charlotte’s work focuses on agricultural and estate transactions, including the acquisition and disposal of farmland and rural property, farm business tenancies, licences and wayleaves. She also regularly advises landowners on renewable energy and infrastructure projects, acting on option agreements, leases and related rights for solar, wind and battery storage schemes, as well as data centre developments. Charlotte supports clients on a broad range of estate management issues, including title due diligence, rights of way, easements and restrictive covenants. She works closely with colleagues across the firm to provide clear, practical and commercially focused advice, and is known for her structured, client‑friendly approach to complex transactions.
Laura Tanguay

Laura Tanguay

Laura is a Partner in our property disputes team and leads the firm’s home ownership disputes and TOLATA practice.    Specialising in applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA), Laura’s work focuses on resolving trusts of land disputes and family-owned property / cohabitation disputes – frequently in the shadow of relationship breakdown. Her expertise includes the establishment and quantification of beneficial interests in property under TOLATA, whether these interests arise from express, constructive, or resulting trusts, and whether the property is solely or jointly owned. Laura is also frequently called upon to advise property owners on their roles as trustee, including handling order for sale applications and buy-outs. Laura’s work encompasses a wide range of related equitable principles, such as proprietary estoppel, equitable accounting, fraud, undue influence, illegality, mistake, entitlement to funds in joint bank accounts, and the equity of exoneration. Recognised as a leader in her field, Laura has a proven track record of resolving complex equitable and property trust disputes. She is an effective negotiator with extensive experience in round-table discussions and mediation.
Rebecca Utton

Rebecca Utton

Rebecca Utton is a Senior Associate within the regulatory and corporate defence team. She is an accomplished advocate who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience having practised criminal law for in excess of 20 years representing clients at the police station and in the Magistrates’ and Crown Court. Rebecca has experience in dealing with prosecutions brought by a number of public bodies including Trading Standards and Health and Safety Executive. Rebecca is instructed by multiple Local Authorities’ environmental health, planning and licensing departments, to advise and prosecute in relation to offences including Breach of Enforcement and Condition Notices, Food Safety, Fly Tipping and Statutory Nuisance. As part of the premises licensing team, Rebecca delivers policy advice and training to Local Authorities on alcohol, taxi and gambling licensing and sits as a legal adviser to their licensing committees. Rebecca also delivers Local Authority PACE investigation and disclosure training. Rebecca has expertise in a wide variety of road transport and traffic matters, including advising and representing operators and drivers in relation to DVSA and Traffic Commissioner investigations, representing clients in criminal proceedings following road traffic collisions involving serious injuries and fatalities, successfully advancing exceptional hardship arguments and representing clients in respect of appeals against DVLA decisions refusing to reissue driving licences following medical inquiry. Rebecca is instructed by the Teachers Regulation Agency (TRA) to act as legal adviser at teacher misconduct hearings. Rebecca is based in our Norwich office.
Tom Verrill

Tom Verrill

Tom Verrill is a Partner and Head of Agribusiness at Birketts LLP.  Tom advises farmers, landowners and agri-businesses on all aspects of rural and sporting property, including acquisitions and sales of farms and estates, renewable energy projects and issues surrounding agricultural tenancies and sporting rights. Tom has particular expertise in succession planning, structuring and restructuring for individuals, partnerships and companies involved in rural business. With a reputation for responsiveness, attention to detail and strong client relationships, Tom is a trusted adviser who consistently delivers high-quality outcomes. He collaborates closely with colleagues across Birketts’ multidisciplinary teams, ensuring a seamless service that draws on the firm’s full range of capabilities.
Naomi Westcott

Naomi Westcott

Naomi Westcott is a Legal Director in the administrative and public law disputes team with more than 13 years’ experience advising on complex, high value litigation. A procurement disputes lawyer, her particular focus is on public procurement law disputes where she has extensive experience acting for both contracting authorities and bidders. Her experience spans from issues arising during live processes, including evaluation and award decisions, and standstill and post‑award challenges, with a focus on achieving the best commercial and strategic outcome for her clients. Naomi also advises on disputes and claims affecting public bodies, education providers and charities, supporting clients at all stages, from early risk assessment and strategy through to proceedings, settlement/ ADR and trial. She advises schools, universities and charities on sensitive, high stakes matters, including contractual disputes, discrimination and Equality Act claims, and safeguarding issues. She is known for her friendly approach, excellent communication and clear, pragmatic advice, helping clients navigate complex situations while balancing costs and risk. Based in Cambridge, Naomi works firm wide and collaborates closely with colleagues across Birketts to deliver joined up, strategic support to clients.
Patrick Wetherall

Patrick Wetherall

Patrick Wetherall is a Partner in our property disputes team, based in our Bristol office. He is ranked in Chambers as a Band 1 individual for Real Estate Litigation and in Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Property Litigation: “A superstar”; “One of the most experienced and accomplished property litigators in the country”; and “utterly unflappable, calm and measured whatever he’s faced with”. His work covers all aspects of general commercial property and landlord and tenant disputes including large scale valuable development disputes, dilapidations claims, contested lease renewals, disputes concerning alienation, advising on restrictive covenants, easements, contested agency claims, rights of way, rights of light, adverse possession, judicial review and town and village greens. Patrick has considerable High Court and Court of Appeal experience and has mediated over 30 times.
Rachel Winter

Rachel Winter

Rachel was admitted as a Solicitor in 2009 and joined Birketts in November 2011. She is a Partner in our Private Client Advisory Team. Rachel advises individuals, business owners, landowners and their families on a wide range of matters including wills, succession and tax planning, the creation, taxation and administration of trusts, powers of attorney and probate. Rachel advises on and offers practical solutions to all individuals on succession planning and Wills. Rachel has considerable experience of different family circumstances, including step families, blended families and estranged families and also where some family members are involved in a family business and some are not. She has experience of administering cross-border estates. Recent cases have involved assets in China, United States of America, South Africa, France and New Zealand.
Stuart Wortley

Stuart Wortley

Stuart Wortley is a Partner in the property disputes team. He divides his time between our London and Cambridge offices.  He is one of the country’s leading practitioners in property disputes with more than 35 years’ experience since he trained with Boodle Hatfield (including 20 years as a Partner with Pinsent Masons in Leeds / London and 10 years as a Partner with Eversheds Sutherland in London / Cambridge). Stuart was included in the inaugural Legal 500 “Hall of Fame” for property litigation in 2018 where he has remained ever since.  He advises on all property issues – but the work which he most enjoys is finding creative solutions to complex property problems. He has advised on property disputes concerning well known properties including Camel Laird Shipyard, Wembley Stadium, The Shard, 22 Bishopsgate, Canary Wharf Estate, High Speed 2, Elstree Film Studios and New Covent Garden Market. Stuart has represented clients at over 25 trials (one of which ran for 35 days). He was also a key member of the team which advised on one of the longest ever property arbitrations (Annington v MoD). In July 2026, Stuart concluded a 10 day trial in the Business and Property Courts at Leeds.  He is currently preparing for a 12 day trial in July 2027 in the Business and Property Courts in London.
Susan Young

Susan Young

Susan Young is a Partner in our private client advisory team and assists clients with a full range of succession and tax planning, including the preparation of Wills, providing inheritance tax advice,  advising on trusts and powers of attorney. Susan advises individuals and business owners to ensure their wishes can take effect in the manner intended and is involved in the firms’ equine sector. Having assisted clients with estate planning for many years, she is aware of the importance that clients’ wishes take effect in the manner intended or that an estate administration is dealt with in a timely, supportive manner. Every client is unique and Susan tailors her advice according to the individual circumstances and, where appropriate, the advice is given alongside that of colleagues in other teams within the firm to ensure fully rounded, holistic advice is obtained.  Susan also deals with estate administrations, including advising on Deeds of Variation, where individuals inherit assets/funds from an estate but wish to pass them to others in a tax efficient manner, as part of tax planning.