We pride ourselves in being friendly, approachable and yet tenacious. It’s simple; We get things done. Many lawyers make big claims and yet are slow and fail to communicate effectively. Our team are genuinely interested in you and your situation. We care, we listen and we help to protect you, your family and your best interests. Scroll down to meet some of our team and please do get in touch.
Having originally qualified as a barrister in London, Stephen went on to work as a Corporate Tax Lawyer at Wragge & Co. in Birmingham before cross-qualifying as a solicitor and returning to the Southwest where he was born and grew up. He joined AmicusLaw in 2017 and specialises in Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, drawing on his understanding of both tax and complicated family arrangements. He also oversees the firm’s compliance and client care functions. Stephen has an interest in vintage cars and motorcycles and playing the guitar (badly).
Claire qualified as a solicitor in 1999 with a large regional law firm and initially specialised in commercial property. She has since gained experience in all types of property work and has led teams in both high volume conveyancing firms and traditional high street practices. More recently Claire has worked with major construction projects and managed large property portfolios as Head of Corporate Property for Somerset County Council and now leads the Property Department for AmicusLaw covering both residential and commercial property. Claire has also recently become chair of the Climate Change Committee of Devon and Somerset Law Society.
Claire’s pragmatic and friendly approach is valued by both clients and colleagues.
Hilary has a wealth of experience in estate and succession planning, probate, trusts and care for the elderly and has been practising since 1989. She has lived and worked in Somerset for the last 25 years.
Hilary has a great understanding of the emotions clients face, especially when they have lost a loved one, and will go the extra mile to make sure that the job is completed swiftly and efficiently.
In her spare time Hilary enjoys pottering in her vast garden and going for endless walks with her dog.
Helen grew up and lives in the South West and has over 27 years of experience in litigation and asbestos related illness cases, with specialist APIL Asbestos Disease Accreditation. Helen is highly recommended in the leading independent legal publication – Legal 500 where she has been noted for “leaving no stone unturned” and this is important for the difficult low level asbestos exposure cases.
With a dedicated close knit team, Helen can provide her clients with speed, efficiency and keeping everything very simple and straight forward, so that the legal claim does not end up causing an additional layer of stress and anxiety. With experienced Macmillan trained staff and Helen’s own personal experiences, there is also genuine care, compassion and empathy for clients and their families.
Helen regularly acts for people who were employed or self-employed sub-contractors who often wrongly believe that due to their self-employed status they will not have a claim
Many clients benefit from this as Helen often comes across the same companies such as; Westland Helicopters, British Cellophane, Milk Marketing Board, RNAS Yeovilton, W Coombes Builders, Dyer & Sons, Clarkes Shoe Factory and Hinkley Point Power Station (Plant A).
Abbi has vast experience in dealing with residential conveyancing matters, specialising in Shared Ownership transactions along with staircasing and resale matters. She enjoys helping clients from start to finish of their sale/purchase journey and is keen to help many more! Abbi has lived in Exeter for over 10 years and is looking forward to developing the firm’s position in the area.
Adam has experience working with clients who may have been exposed to asbestos dust and visits clients in their homes initially to complete the application forms for the automatic Government payments, such as Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), Government Lump Sum Payment and Attendance Allowance.
Adam is experienced in obtaining details of past employment from the time of leaving school up until retirement. Most people cannot remember exact dates of employment and can only provide their best guess. It is perfectly normal not to remember all of the places where you worked and this is ok for your Government payments as a very basic employment history is absolutely fine.
If you were self-employed, you should jot down some of the places where you can remember working as a sub-contractor.
If you are also having a Civil Insurance claim investigated, Adam will bring the No Win No Fee Contract (Conditional Fee Agreement) form for you to sign and can answer any of your questions on this funding form.
Alex was born and raised in Taunton to a farming family and attended school locally. As a result, she has extensive knowledge of the locality and is familiar with the issues that affect the industry.
Alex’s legal career commenced with a well established local firm before joining AmicusLaw in 2017.
Currently studying CILEx Level 6, the final academic stage in qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive lawyer, Alex advises on private client matters including Wills, Trusts, Estate Administration and Lasting Powers of Attorney. She is available to meet with clients either in the office or at home.
Andrea qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and worked in and around her home county of Northamptonshire before moving to and settling in Somerset in 2010 with her young family. Andrea has a reputation with local agents for “getting the job done”. As well as helping you buy and sell your property, she can help you with extending your lease, granting and releasing easements and other residential property matters. Andrea spends her spare timing baking, horse riding and gardening.
Andrew graduated from Exeter University and qualified as a solicitor in 2000. He joined AmicusLaw in early 2021 having worked for many years at the Exeter office of a large international law firm.
Andrew specialises in commercial and consumer litigation, including insolvency and contractual disputes, which involved fully contested claims in both the County Courts and High Court, including a high profile matter that was successfully taken to the Court of Appeal. Most recently, Andrew acted for legal expense clients, which provided a very broad workload, ranging from boundary disputes to achieving a six figure additional pay-out from a public sector pension fund.
Having spent many years of running half and full marathons, Andrew’s knees now enjoy walks with his girlfriend and dog.
Bill is a highly experienced Conveyancing Executive and is able to advise on all manner of residential property transactions.
Bill began his career in 2005 with a local law firm where he enjoyed not only dealing with all types of property transaction from newbuild, leasehold, Right-to-Buy, Transfers of Equity etc but also developing staff training and managing their Bristol based offices. Bill joined AmicusLaw in 2021 and is looking forward to bringing his experience to the firm and making each transaction a positive experience for his clients.
In his spare time Bill keeps busy playing guitar in several local bands.
Chrissy joined the firm in 2020 and assists with all aspects of conveyancing matters in our Bridgwater office. She has been working in the legal side of property since 1998 having started under a YTS apprenticeship scheme. She also has experience as an archivist.
When she’s not working, Chrissy enjoys walks with her husband, son and dog, Millie. In her spare time, she loves to bake and read and is currently working on trying to reduce her households single use plastic by either making beeswax wraps or buying eco-friendly products.
Dan hails from the Thames Valley – he worked for Boyes Turner in Reading before moving to the SW in 2002 to join Stones Solicitors’ Litigation Team in Exeter, moving up to become Head of the Department there. Dan then moved to a litigation specialist firm in Exeter before joining Amicus in 2013. Dan is a litigation and dispute resolution specialist with over 17 years’ litigation experience, from Court of Appeal through High and County Courts to Small Claims Court and in Mediations. With specialist experience (and age!) comes the understanding that clients do sometimes need a Rottweiler to hammer home a point and other times need a more pragmatic and commercially viable approach – not just a run of the mill legal expert who fails to understand what the client needs to achieve from a dispute he/she invariably could do without whilst costing a small fortune.
Dan has acted in reported cases on Search and Seize injunctions, the proper interpretation of covenants in title deeds and commercial contested lease renewals and he has acted in any number of contract disputes and contested debt claims. Dan is also an expert in joint property ownership disputes for unmarried property owners. Dan will fight for your cause and he is an adept negotiator and commercially minded business lawyer.
David is based in our Minehead office. He specialises in conveyancing, but has undertaken a wide variety of legal work in his career. David practised in Salisbury for 10 years before moving to Minehead in 2014. David is an active member of the church, and enjoys spending time in the outdoors.
Emily is currently studying with CILEx. She’s in her final year of level 3, then will move to level 6. Since Emily was at Middle school it’s something that has interested her and as she says herself "I’m a bit late starting but will get there soon!"
She lives locally and has three children so enjoy spending time with family, walks etc. Plus, she enjoys keeping fit with spinning classes.
Gary is a Chartered Legal Executive. Having qualified over 30 years ago he has a wealth of experience in residential Conveyancing having worked in this field both for a major lender as well as in private practice. His particular passion is for social housing and he specialises in acquisition of property from Housing Associations by way of shared ownership Leases and shared equity transactions.
Georgia has been working in Residential Conveyancing for several years and has experience in dealing with Sales, Purchases, Auctions Sales, New Builds, Help to Buy, Transfers of Equity and Re-Mortgages. She has a good working relationship with the local Estate Agents. She is a proactive and organised individual which helps to ensure that transactions run as smoothly as possible.
When Georgia is not out enjoying a walk in the Somerset Countryside with her Cocker Spaniel, she enjoys spending time with her family and baking.
Heidi is nearly at the end of her CILEx level 6, the final academic stage in qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer. She has studied the whole course whilst working full time.
Heidi has worked in property for over 20 years, she will be moving department shortly to work in the Commercial Property Team and specialise in agricultural and equestrian property for the firm.
Her interests are riding her horses and walking her dogs.
With 30 years of legal experience and 20 in employment Ian has seen fads come and go and the wheel reinvented countless times. However, the fundamental issues remain the same and most problems in the workplace are down to management. Today, he specialises in sorting out the root causes of problems that lead to workplace strife.
This approach with an understanding of the real world, and having fun outside interests, lets Ian help those who want a more holistic and caring solution to all that the world throws at them.
Ian is unable to offer a free interview and Legal Aid and no-win-no-fee are not available for employment disputes.
James qualified as a solicitor in December 2016 and joined the firm in March 2020. James undertakes a wide range of commercial and residential property work, including buying and selling commercial premises, leasing commercial premises, refinancing, buying and selling businesses and residential sales and purchases.
James prides himself on providing the best possible service to his clients by providing clear advice in a timely and friendly manner.
Jan is a consultant solicitor for the firm, dealing with all aspects of Family Law, including complex divorce and financial settlement, wealth protection including drafting and executing pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and she has a particular expertise for sensitive children matters. Jan adopts an open and honest approach and strives to achieve the best outcome possible for all her clients and offers support and understanding to those in vulnerable situations. Jan is an exceptional representative of the firm with a wealth of experience and knowledge to be able to give the best advice and guidance in all matters relating to Family Law.
Jan enjoys music, gardening, hill and mountain alpine hiking with her rescue dogs , travel, skiing and ice skating and spending time with her family.
Jess has worked for the firm for 14 years and is now a pivotal member of the Business Support Team. She manages the firm’s on-line presence and electronic marketing strategy, as well as dealing with all the firm’s day to day advertising and networking.
In her spare time, Jess enjoys spending time with her family.
Jo joined the Firm in November 2017 as a solicitor in the Family department. Jo deals with all aspects of family law, including divorce and financial settlements, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation and settlement agreements and child arrangements cases. Prior to joining the firm, Jo worked as a locum across the South West, and has developed the adept ability to quickly grasp the important issues for a client. Jo establishes effective and professional relationships with her clients, providing that their best interests are always at the forefront of the work she undertakes.
Jo lives and works in Taunton and has years of invaluable experience helping people with Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lung Cancer. Jo will advise on the early stages of your case to include the urgent automatic asbestos related Government payments, both lump sum and weekly. Jo can obtain a Blue Badge for you if you are suffering with breathlessness and also look into claiming Attendance Allowance. Jo has close links with the Taunton Citizen's Advice and can point you in the right direction for other state benefits, such as PiP.
If your claim has good prospects of success for a Civil Insurance or a Scheme claim, Jo will obtain your Inland Revenue Employment History Schedule and your medical records.
With a background in healthcare, Jo has empathy and compassion and is well placed to talk with you and/or your partner following an upsetting and difficult diagnosis. Jo will come to see you in the comfort of your own home or you can speak with her on the telephone/Zoom appointment.
With close family members in the teaching profession in schools in Taunton and Bristol, raising awareness of the asbestos still in our schools is close to Jo’s heart where teachers and pupils remain at risk of exposure to asbestos. Jo supports the campaign run by Lucie Stephens and you can sign her petition for all asbestos to be removed in our UK schools by 2030 by clicking on; https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petition.
John is a highly experienced solicitor with many years experience in handling a wide range of cases. He is patient, resourceful and organised. John maintains a professional approach to work at all times, is excellent at decision making and applying analytical skills to any case in hand. He communicates well with clients, always seeking a positive outcome. John has over 30 years experience in high volume residential conveyancing, including freehold, leasehold, registered or un-registered titles.
In his spare time John enjoys playing golf and sailing.
Having moved to the UK from Canada in 1996, Julie completed her final years of school before heading off to Exeter College and completing a college course in Administration and Secretarial Procedures. Julie started her legal career in 2003 as a Conveyancing Assistant at Ashfords Solicitors before joining AmicusLaw in October 2019. Due to Julie’s vast experience she is able to undertake all aspects of Residential Conveyancing.
Julie lives in Exeter with her husband and two young boys and are all huge supporters of Liverpool FC. Outside of work, her hobbies include walking, swimming and taking her young boys to football games (when, of course, they are not enjoying family days out adventuring!).
JoJo came to England as soon as she turned 18 for a better life. She created her home and family here. After finishing college JoJo started University and is now studying towards a qualifying Law Degree.
JoJo loves to help people and support others. She helps women who suffer with domestic abuse and has also in the past raised money for BIBIC.
When she has spare time, JoJo loves to go out for the day with her family, read a good book or cook. JoJo is very passionate about food and also loves dancing.
Lynne joined the firm in December 2020 and is based in our Minehead Office assisting with Residential Conveyancing.
Having moved to Minehead from Worcestershire 4 years ago she enjoys exploring the local countryside. She also enjoys ballet, musical theatre and spending time with her family.
Nicci joined the firm in February 2018 as a legal assistant in the Minehead office covering Residential Property, Private Client, Family and reception.
Nicci now works as Personal Assistant to Claire Lovett, the Managing Partner. This role is a challenging but has provided Nicci with some enjoyable new strings to her bow.
Nicci has many years of legal administration experience, working in a multitude of departments, she enjoys meeting people and communicating and helping clients. Nicci loves to be busy.
When not at work, Nicci enjoys spending time with her hubby and their Norfolk terrier. A committed armchair sports fan, knitter and stitcher, Nicci also enjoys 5D diamond painting.
Nicci can be seen on some weekends dressed as a Pirate with like-minded Pirates and Privateers.
Nicole joined the firm in 2017 and is based in our Martock Office undertaking Residential Conveyancing. Nicole brings enthusiasm to everything she does and continues to develop her skills.
In her spare time, Nicole enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.
Before relocating to Exeter in 2003 Nigel gained valuable experience in working in the residential market in both Southampton and central London advising on all aspects of residential transactions. Nigel has excellent experience of not just general freehold and leasehold matters, lease extensions, high value properties but also transfers of equity and the occasional garage purchase! Nothing is too big or too small and all will receive the same high quality service that you can expect.
Richard has had a lifelong interest in the law triggered by “Perry Mason” on BBC television in the early 1960’s. Between taking ‘A’ level examinations and starting university his “gap” year consisted of working as an articled clerk at a Solicitor’s office in Gloucester. Richard then spent four years at St. John’s College, Oxford and emerged with a degree in Jurisprudence. He then attended the College of Law and articles for two years at Rowberry Morris in Bristol and was admitted on 15th July 1978. Richard continued working there until 1981 when he moved to join and run the branch office of Clarke Willmott in Martock. He then married Jackie and in November 1986 bought that office from Clarke Willmott. Richard then ran the office as a sole practitioner for 30 years before merging with AmicusLaw on 1st August 2016. Richard has experience of most areas of the law although now concentrates on probate and private client work.
Sally joined Amicus Law in 2016 and is head of the Crime Department. She is a duty solicitor with 20 years’ experience of criminal law work at all levels. Sally regularly advises clients at the police station, represents in the Magistrates’ Courts and has Higher Rights of Audience allowing her to represent clients in the Crown Court. She travels between offices allowing her to see clients in Bridgwater, Wellington, Yeovil, Exeter and Minehead. Sally has worked in Yorkshire and Bristol prior to moving to Somerset and has expertise in all areas of criminal law work.
Sarah splits her time with the crime team and asbestos disease team and has worked with AmicusLaw since 2016.
Sarah is available to speak with anyone who has been diagnosed with a respiratory condition as a result of past asbestos exposure and often this is very low level exposure where people do not know where or how they have come into contact with asbestos dust, until they speak with a specialist. Sarah is available to take full details of anyone who has a diagnosis, or a suspected diagnosis of:
- Mesothelioma (this can be of the lung or abdomen). This can be following a diagnosis from a biopsy or from a clinical diagnosis as sometimes people are too poorly for a diagnosis.
- Asbestos related lung cancer. This can be any type of lung cancer and there is normally heavy past exposure to asbestos dust of one year or more. It does not matter if you have a smoking history as it is the combined effect of smoking and inhaling asbestos dust that put people at a much higher risk of contracting lung cancer.
- Asbestosis. This is sometimes initially diagnosed as fibrosis and people with this diagnosis have a heavy past exposure to asbestos dust.
- Pleural thickening/plaques. These are benign conditions and can cause pain and breathlessness.
Sarah is a friendly and outgoing member of the team, and clients find her to be warm and approachable.
Outside of work, Sarah is an avid gardener and aspiring artist, and enjoys looking after her mischievous Jack Russell, Dudley. Sarah enjoys socialising with her friends, spectating the rugby, both the national and local teams.
Educated in Somerset, Simon graduated from St Catherine’s College, Oxford in 1978 and spent 16 years in the Army, before returning to the West Country to qualify as a solicitor. He spent much of his childhood on a family farm, developing a love of the countryside and was able to realise his dream of working with farmers and landowners. Awarded a Master of Law degree in Agricultural law in 1999, he trained at Clarke Willmott and was then head hunted by a prestigious London practice. He then became a partner at two private client firms based in the Inns of Court for some of the largest landed families in England.
He returned to the West Country in 2009 to join AmicusLaw and was among the very first lawyers to be awarded the highly exclusive Fellowship of the Agricultural Law Association in September 2009.
Sophie joined the firm in August 2017 in the Business Support team, assisting with business administration and accounts. Sophie has since undertaken CILEX level 3 and is now a Paralegal in the firm's family department. In her spare time, Sophie enjoys painting, reading and spending time with her family.
Sophie gained her undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Hull in 2020 and is now studying at the University of Law towards a master’s in legal Practice, due to complete in 2022.
Her other passion is horses. She owns horses and also mainly backs and brings on young horses.
She also has two golden retrievers which she adores and spends a lot of time out walking with them.
Stephanie joined Amicus Law in October 2020 as a Family Solicitor in the Minehead and Bridgwater offices.
Stephanie deals with all aspects of Family Law, including divorce and financial matters, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, issues following the separation of unmarried couples and private law children matters.
Stephanie adopts a non-confrontational approach to family law and believes that family disputes are not contests but an attempt to find a solution which is fair to all parties involved. That said, where a more robust approach is required, Stephanie produces excellent results for her client by her determined and firm handling of often emotionally charged situations. Stephanie appreciates that every case is unique and as such provides bespoke and practical advice, tailored to each client’s needs. She also endeavours to negotiate settlements in a manner which is cost effective to her clients and is also in their best interests.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys going for walks on the Quantocks where she lives, and spending time with her family.
T-J has been working in conveyancing for 6 years and is a Conveyancer in our Yeovil Office.
Her aim is to become a legal executive and has already completed her level 3 in CILEX studies.
She is a local girl and spends her spare time going to as many local music events as possible!
Victoria has over two years’ experience with different aspects of Conveyancing; lease extensions, sales and purchases, development plots and also assisting the conveyancer.
In her spare time, she likes to read, go on long walks, play netball, cook, spend time with family and loves being outdoors. Victoria loves being part of a team and achieving the goal.