Wollen Michelmore Solicitors

Solicitors who work at Wollen Michelmore Solicitors

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  Rachel Carter

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  I am a member of the Childcare and Family team. I have worked almost exclusively in complex care proceedings and non-accidental injury for many years; I joined Wollen Michelmore in February 2012 and continue to focus my work on the representation of parents. I act for parents and carers within these complex proceedings which involve allegations of physical abuse such as shaken baby syndrome, fractures, bruises, factitious illness, etc. I work with clients all over the country (from Cornwall to Newcastle) and represent people in all courts including the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. I am a member of the Law Society’s specialist Children’s Panel which means I am accredited to represent children (often via a guardian). Most of my work is legally aided (parents within care proceedings are automatically entitled to full legal aid). As a result of the amount of NAI work I undertake, I have considerable experience in the area and have formed excellent working relationships both with barristers also specialising in this line of work and with medical experts who undertake reports for such cases. Subsequently, I have had much success in securing a child’s return to their parents’ care. I run my own blog site about the work I do (non-accidental injury and the law) where you can find more information: www.parentsaccused.co.uk I have been awarded the Family Law Associate of the Year 2014 (Family Law Awards) and Solicitor of the Year 2016 (Devon & Somerset Law Society Awards).

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  Shirley Tull

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  I advise on all aspects of private client taxation, trusts, estates, Wills and Attorneyship with special knowledge of probate, inheritance tax and estate planning. I am developing an innovative on-line Probate case management system designed to speed up the administration of estates. It will also give clients the opportunity easily to see the progress of their matter at any time. I have a wide experience of planning to preserve and protect Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs from inheritance tax, to supporting claims for Relief on behalf of clients. I give presentations to clients and others on tax planning and other private client matters.

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  David Morgan

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  I qualified as a Solicitor in 1999, and practised at a large West Country firm until May 2010. I have experience of all types of property work including residential sales, purchases, and re-mortgages, and commercial property transactions including Business Leases. In my spare time I enjoy attempting to keep fit, including cycling and walking, and I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and the High Route in the Pyrenees.

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  Jonathan Wharmby

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  I qualified as a Solicitor in 1995 and practiced in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire until 2002 before moving to the south west. I joined Harold Michelmore in January 2004 and then became part of Wollen Michelmore in 2011. I have experience in all types of property work with the emphasis now being upon commercial property which involves giving advice to clients on a wide range of property matters including acquisitions and disposals of development sites, transfers of businesses, negotiation of business leases for both landlord and tenant and generally any issues with commercial property. Outside the office environment I am a keen golfer and walker enjoying exploring the south west with my family.

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  Amanda Angus

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  Amanda graduated from Staffordshire University in 1997 having read Philosophy. She joined the firm in 2003 as a legal secretary, primarily supporting Shirley Tull, one of the partners of the Private Client Department. As her role within the department developed Amanda began supporting additional solicitors in the department, concentrating on all areas of probate work and administration of estates. As a Legal Assistant within the department Amanda intends to continue to develop her role and knowledge in all aspects of estate administration.

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  Anna Lewis

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  Anna graduated from Plymouth University in 2016 with a degree in Law with Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. Anna joined Wollen Michelmore July 2016 and now works within the Private Client Department writing Wills. In her spare time Anna enjoys riding, walking her dog and spending time with family and friends.

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  Bethany Donnelly

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  Joining Wollen Michelmore in 2012 as a receptionist, Beth started studying for her Bachelor of Laws Degree through the Open University. In 2013 Beth joined the Corporate Commercial Department in Dartmouth as a Paralegal, during this time she successfully completed her Law Degree. Beth’s role as a Paralegal included dealing with various legal transactions including option agreements, renewable energy contracts, commercial and residential property transactions, business and asset sales/purchases, company acquisitions and advised on complex company matters. Beth has recently completed her LPC and gained her Masters in Law and Business through the University of Law and has returned to Wollen Michelmore as a Trainee Solicitor. Beth is currently in her first seat within the Family Department, gaining experience in non-accidental injury care. Beth has achieved a Bachelor of Law Honours Degree (LLB), Legal Practice Course and LLM in Law and Business (Masters Degree). In her spare time, Beth enjoys rock climbing, horse riding and socialising with family and friends.

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  Carol Wycliffe-Jones

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  I was born in the Highlands, Scotland and moved to Birmingham after leaving school to attend Drama College for 3 years. I then worked for the Civil Service and NHS for The Blood Transfusion Service NHS out on mobile blood sessions for a number of years. I then returned to study Law at Bristol University as a mature student and then secured a Training Contract with Bond Pearce Solicitors in Plymouth. After qualifying as a solicitor I was kept on at Bond Pearce in their Personal Injury Dept. where I worked for 10 years. During that time I helped hundreds of clients secure compensation following accidents but was also involved in the Will Scheme run through the firm’s Union clients. In 2007 I left Bond Pearce after having a family and helped my husband in the running of his deli/village stores. Now my family is older I felt it was time to return to Law. I had previously really enjoyed being involved in the Union Will scheme whilst at Bond Pearce and, as I felt I needed a new challenge, have joined WM as a Wills writer/solicitor. In my free time I enjoy musical theatre and renovating houses.

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  Eleanor Ronson

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  Eleanor is a member of the Child Care Team dealing with all aspects of children law. Eleanor specialises in care matters and child protection. Eleanor trained and qualified at a City law firm before moving into public law legal aid work. Eleanor has extensive experience working with vulnerable children and adults. Eleanor’s previous casework primarily focused on bringing public law actions against state authorities, representing vulnerable clients including care leavers, disabled children and adults, victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery, age disputed unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors and families with no recourse to public funds. Eleanor has also represented clients in the Court of Protection in disputes regarding mental capacity, ‘best interests’ and challenges to DOLS standard authorisations. Eleanor is known for her pragmatic and empathetic approach to her casework.

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  Emma Ward

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  Emma is a member of the Family Law Team dealing with Child Care. She has worked in the field of family law for 4 years, taking her career path starting as a receptionist with a previous law firm. This has allowed Emma to gain first hand experience from different perspectives within the legal environment which has enabled her to develop an in depth knowledge and understanding of family law and legal procedures. Emma’s particular knowledge relates to child protection, care proceedings, adoption, special guardianship and contact issues. She attends hearings at Court to assist Counsel and support clients, along with also attending Local Authority/Social Services meetings to support parents.

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  Georgia Galsworthy

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  Georgia completed her Graduate Diploma in Law at Plymouth University in 2015, this was after completing her undergraduate degree in International Relations with Law at Plymouth University. She then went on to work full-time for two years within a solicitors firm in Cornwall. Georgia has since undertaken her Legal Practice Course and Masters of Law (LLM) with the University of Law at the University of Exeter, completing this in July 2018. Georgia joined Wollen Michelmore in September 2018 as a Trainee Solicitor and is currently within her first seat in the Family department based in Newton Abbot. In her spare time Georgia enjoys cycling and playing both the piano and the cello.

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  Helen Jarvis

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  I trained in Bristol and I now assist in Wills and estate planning, probate and administration of estates, trusts, Powers of Attorney and Receivership matters.

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  Hilary Amesbury

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  I joined the firm in 2010 and qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2011. I work within the Property Department of our Newton Abbot Office dealing mainly with residential conveyancing, through our referral scheme with local estate agents. Outside of the office my time is taken up with my family.

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  Isobel Yandle

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  I qualified as a solicitor in 1997. I enjoy meeting clients and advising on all aspects of private client work, including wills, powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning and the administration of estates. In 2001 I joined the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, meaning that I have particular expertise in this area. I read English at Magdalen College, Oxford. After obtaining my degree, I completed the diploma in law course at Plymouth University and the diploma in legal practice at Exeter University. I have worked in Devon in the field of private client law since qualifying in 1997. In my free time, I enjoy playing the clarinet and I belong to a local orchestra. I am a keen theatre and concert goer and I also enjoy gardening.

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  Karen Mariner

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  I joined the firm in 2001 and now undertake paralegal work in the Residential Property Department. In particular, I deal with the sale and purchase of houses, flats, maisonettes, and apartments, together with mortgages and the formalities arising from this type of transaction.

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  Liz Crawford

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  Liz specialises in advising clients in relation to wills, trusts, Powers of Attorney, inheritance tax planning and estate administration. After completing her law degree and Legal Practice Course in the North West, Liz worked for a big five accountancy firm in Cambridge for six years, as a tax accountant. She moved to Charles Russell Speechlys in London to complete her training contract, qualifying in April 2002. Liz relocated to Devon in 2004 and joined the probate department of a well established South Devon firm. After taking time off to raise a family, she has joined the Private Client department at Wollen Michelmore. Liz is also an affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is currently undertaking her STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (England and Wales). When not busy with work or family life Liz likes walking her dogs, cycling, swimming and food – baking and consuming.

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  Mark Stokes

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  I work in the Dispute Resolution team and undertake general litigation work. My main areas of work are landlord and tenant matters, mortgage repossessions and insolvency advice. I also act in contract disputes, debt recovery, land disputes (i.e. TOLATA claims), and anti social neighbours (along with antisocial hedges which also feature frequently). I can also advise on Fire Enforcement Notices. I often work with clients who lack capacity. I have strong interests in homelessness and helping the individual against larger bodies i.e. Limited Companies. In respect of Landlord & tenant areas, I have acted for Landlords evicting Tenants, and defended Landlords against Claims issued by Tenants. I have regularly defended Tenants against Housing Associations and won on several occasions, recovering our costs. I deal with most areas of housing law. We also have a Legal Aid Housing franchise which means I can advise tenants. By value, the largest dispute I have been instructed on was £2,200,000.

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  Michael Cosgrave

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  I practise in the area of commercial property, dealing particularly with building developments and site acquisitions. I am a past president of the Devon and Exeter Law Society and of the Federation of European Bars and currently Chairman of its Ethics Commission. I am a former secretary of the National Committee of the Young Solicitors Group of the Law Society. I speak French and in my spare time I enjoy choral singing and music in my local Church.

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  Natalie Pouya

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  Natalie is a member of the Child Care Team, dealing with all aspects of children law and domestic abuse. Natalie specialises in child protection and care matters. Natalie has specialist expertise in matters involving abuse and a wealth of experience in acting for parents with learning disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Natalie qualified in 2008, with a firm in Plymouth. Since then she has worked for a large, national firm in their Child Care and Family Department and for three Local Authorities in the South West, representing Children’s Services (Social Workers), where she has developed her knowledge and expertise in child protection law. Natalie is a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel, the Children Law Accreditation Scheme, as a children’s representative, which denotes specialist status. This means that she has been assessed as skilled to represent both adults and children. Natalie is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children, the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers and an associate member of NAGALRO (The Professional Association for Children's Guardians, Family Court Advisers and Independent Social Workers) Natalie undertakes much of her own advocacy, including contested hearing and hearings dealt with on submissions. Natalie was involved with the steering committee that established the South West Peninsular Family Drugs and Alcohol Court (FDAC). Natalie is a member of the Devon and Somerset Law Society’s Contentious Business Committee. Natalie is on the steering committee for the Exeter Family Court Clinic, a pro bono advice clinic for family court users.

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  Tom Calder

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  I joined the firm in January 2013 upon qualification as a solicitor having completed my training with a local High Street firm in Paignton. I studied Law at Reading University before completing my Legal Practice Course at Plymouth University in 2008. I am part of the Private Client department and specialise in the drafting of Wills, the administration of estates and Lasting Powers of Attorney. In my spare time I enjoy a variety of sports including playing hockey for Dart Hockey Club.

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  Victoria Harle

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  Victoria graduated from her Law degree with University of Bristol in 2015. During that time, she studied Matrimonial Law, Private and Public Child Law and International Child Law, achieving extremely high grades in public child law in particular. After this, she spent a year as a Legal Assistant with another firm before moving on to undertake her Bar Professional Training Course with Cardiff University. Again, she specialised in Family Law – achieving the third highest grade in the year for Family Law and the fourth highest overall grade in the year. Victoria now works with Rachel Carter in our family department, acting in complex care proceedings and non-accidental injury. They act for parents and carers within these complex proceedings which involve allegations of physical abuse such as shaken baby syndrome, fractures, bruises, factitious illness, etc. They work with clients all over the country (from Cornwall to Newcastle) and represent people in all courts including the County Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Victoria has been published with the leading Family Law Journal writing on the subject of appeals within the Public Child Law system. Moving forward, Victoria hopes to qualify as a Legal Executive in order to progress her work in our family team. Outside of work Victoria has an eclectic range of interests including beekeeping, sketching and baking. She is friendly, approachable and always willing to lend a sympathetic ear.