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.
David Satchell is AmicusLaw’s Senior Partner and Head of the Private Client Department.
David started out in general practice after having qualified with North West Regional Firm Russell & Russell in 1994, later moving to the South West in 2002 to specialise in Private Client work helping clients of all ages with Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Administration, Tax Mitigation, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Care Fees issues and applications to the Court of Protection.
David conducted the case of Miles & Beattie v The Public Guardian which was heard in the High Court and established important principles as to the acceptability of wordings in Lasting Powers of Attorney.
In his spare time David is a keen cyclist and recently completed a ride from Lands End to John O’Groats helping raise £20,000 for local charities.
Stephen Forsey is AmicusLaw's Managing Partner. Having originally qualified as a barrister in London he then went on to work as a Corporate Tax Lawyer at Wragge & Co in Birmingham before returning to the Southwest where he was born and grew up. Having returned to his roots he then ran a large regional multi office law firm before joining AmicusLaw in 2017.
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’s pragmatic and friendly approach is valued by both clients and colleagues.
Belinda Pennington joined the firm in 2018, with an extensive background in Family Law and Solicitors Regulation. Belinda focusses entirely on compliance and professional standards for the firm, ensuring that it maintains an excellent level of client care.
Belinda comes from a farming family and is a keen horsewoman.
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.
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.
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 studied Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge, which gave him the opportunity to visit Iceland and to appear on University Challenge. He switched to law after graduation and trained in London. His subsequent career has included 10 years in Salisbury. He moved to Minehead in 2014 and joined AmicusLaw in 2018. David undertakes both conveyancing and criminal law. His criminal work has included court-martial appearances in the UK and Germany. David's interests include the church and he enjoys the Exmoor countryside.
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.
Holly joined the firm in July 2019 to assist in the Yeovil office and deals mainly with Residential Conveyancing. Having had an extensive background in customer-facing roles, the service provided to the client is of the utmost importance to Holly, and she treats all who she meets with care and sensitivity.
Holly enjoys travelling to exotic destinations, including India, Nepal, and even worked in Australia for a year. Holly is considered an adventurer amongst her friends, embracing new cultures and enjoys outdoors activities, such as zip-lining.
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 over 10 years in a business support role including within the conveyancing team. She 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. Her role also encompasses being the main point of contact for human resources and conveyancing panel enquiries.
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.
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!).
Louise joined the firm in May 2019 to assist in the Yeovil office dealing with Residential Conveyancing. Louise has been working in residential conveyancing since 2011 and before that worked in the finance industry.
Louise enjoys gardening, listening to all varieties of music, spending time with her grandchildren, reading books and taking walks around the countryside.
Maria joined AmicusLaw in 2009 and is assistant to David Satchell in the Private Client Department as well as being part of the Business Support Team.
Maria comes from a farming background and has lived in the local area all of her life.
As a specialist corporate solicitor I have wide ranging experience advising businesses on company and commercial law. My practice includes advising on acquisitions and disposals, capital raising, commercial contracts, partnership matters, outsourcing, shareholder & joint ventures agreements and general company law matters.
Nicci joined the firm in February 2018 to assist in the Minehead Office. She assists with residential and commercial conveyancing and family law work.
Outside of work Nicci enjoys spending time with her husband. Nicci is a pirate enthusiast and regularly attends pirate festivals and events, and is an avid Southampton FC supporter.
Nicole joined the firm in 2017 and is based in our Martock Office assisting with 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.
Peter is a property lawyer and Chartered Legal Executive and CILEX Conveyancing Practitioner. Peter has practised in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Bristol acting for private clients and small developers both locally and throughout the country. A specialist in buying and selling houses and flats Peter has a particular interest in and extensive experience of new builds and leasehold developments.
Peter has lived in Wellington for more than 50 years and can often be found walking his dog Maisie in the beautiful Blackdown Hills or Vale of Taunton Deane.
Peter is a keen motorcyclist and a member of a number of local motorcycle clubs and is currently planning his third motorcycling trip to the USA.
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.
We are pleased to announce that Ruth Wijay has joined our growing Private Client Team where she will undertake wills, trust, probate and powers of attorney work from our Exeter office. Ruth is a Chartered Legal Executive who has many years’ experience with a particular specialism in working with elderly and vulnerable clients.
Outside of work Ruth enjoys spending time with her young family and property renovation.
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 Adlam joined the firm in March 2016 and is the assistant to the Crime Department. She 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 Trainee Paralegal with the firm. Sophie continues with her administrative duties for the firm and for the Conveyancing Department, as well as assisting in a Paralegal capacity for the Family Department. In her spare time, Sophie enjoys painting, reading and spending time with her family.
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.
Initially training and working in maritime litigation in London, Tracey moved to Somerset 15 years ago with her young family. She changed tack, now specialising in private client work. Tracey enjoys helping her clients with drafting wills, related tax advice, administering estates, preparing LPAs and Attorneyship, Court of Protection work and advising on all areas of elderly client care.
When not actively participating in family time she enjoys riding and reading.