Victoria Copeman - Solicitor
Victoria graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2001 with a MA in History
before undertaking the PGDL and LPC at the College of Law in York. She completed
her training in Sussex and London and qualified in 2007. She undertakes all
forms of litigation including civil, property, landlord and tenant and personal
injury. In her spare time, Victoria likes walking and swimming and Pilates
Debbie Curd - Solicitor
Debbie
works from our Bexhill Office and undertakes both conveyancing and Private Client
work. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys walking in the countryside with her family
and dogs and reluctantly rides her daughter's horse!
Alan Craze - Non Practicing
Consultant/HM Coroner for East Sussex
Alan Craze is a non practicing consultant with the firm. He is also HM Coroner
for East Sussex.
John Crone - Conveyancing and Private Client Partner
John
Crone qualified in 1973 and concentrates on property, wills and probate work.
Outside the office he enjoys sailing, rugby and walking with the dog.
Mary Gillard - F.Inst.L.Ex - Conveyancing and Probate Executive
Mary
joined the firm in 1999 as a Trainee Legal Executive having worked for the previous
4 years in two top city law firms. Mary was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute
of Legal Executives in 2003 and is also a Commissioner for Oaths.
Mary undertakes conveyancing work (both residential and commercial) and also
probate and general private client work.
In her spare time, Mary enjoys dancing (salsa, jive and lindy hop), walking,
all types of music, travelling and she supports numerous animal charities.
Richard Harrison - Managing Partner
Richard qualified in 1975 and has been a Partner since 1982. He has always undertaken
a mixed workload and has more recently specialised in commercial work and private
client matters.
Richard is a former member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel and is currently
on the Deputy's Panel for the Office of the Public Guardian. He is a former
President of the Hastings and District Law Society.
James Mountford - Partner
James
is a Salaried Partner and has been with the firm since 2007. James specialises
in Private Client work and is based in our Bexhill office. James is an avid
runner achieving excellent results such as the first in the Battle Marathon.
James is also the firm's contact with John Atkinson who is the firm's investment
consultant enabling clients to receive excellent investment advice.
Dhruva Patel - Partner
Dhruva
graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in 2005 holding a LLB Law Degree
with Honours and subsequently worked as a voluntary Legal & General Adviser
at Hastings and Rother Citizen's Advice Bureau for a year. In 2007 she completed
the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Bloomsbury with distinctions.
She qualified as a Solicitor in 2010.
She is a Trustee to the Board of Directors of Hastings & Rother (1066) Citizens
Advice Bureau.
Debbie Purfield - Conveyancing Executive
Debbie
Purfield works as a Conveyancing Executive from our Bexhill Office. She is also
the Personal Assistant to John Crone.
Alastair Reid - Consultant
Alastair
Reid is now a consultant with the Firm. He works from the St Leonards Office.
He joined the firm in 1972 and became a Partner in 1973. Alastair's interests
include sport, gardening and antique collecting.
Barbara Reid - Conveyancing Executive
Barbara
originally joined the firm in 1977 and has over thirty years experience in residential
conveyancing. She left the former Menneers in 1986 but was asked to return in
1997 as a Conveyancing Executive. Barbara particularly enjoys dealing with elderly
clients who sometimes find modern day conveyancing a little daunting. In her
spare time, Barbara is a keen gardener, has a passion for fast cars (she can
often be found at Brands Hatch) and enjoys collecting antique silver and ceramics.
Anthony Shuttleworth - Consultant
Anthony Shuttleworth is the son of Colin Shuttleworth who founded Shuttleworth
and Co. Anthony works from the Bexhill Office in the Private Client Department
Lucinda Smith - Solicitor
Lucinda graduated with honours in History from the University of Bristol in 2001. She then worked in local government and later studied law part time whilst working full time. Having obtained a commendation in her Graduate Diploma in Law Lucinda went on to study the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford, acquiring a distinction. She joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2009 qualifying in 2011. Lucinda specialises in residential & commercial property and private client including wills, inheritance tax planning, probate, lasting power of attorneys, Court of Protection and elderly client issues.
Rachael Smith - Trainee Solicitor
Rachael
joined the firm as a trainee in November 2011. Rachael graduated from the University
of Hull with an LLB Honours Degree in Law in 2006 and moved to East Sussex the
following year. After working in various paralegal and secretarial roles in
a variety of legal disciplines including Criminal Law, Family Law and Personal
Injury/Insurance Litigation at other East Sussex and Kent firms, she completed
the Legal Practice Course part-time at the College of Law in London whilst working
full-time. Rachael has a real passion for cooking and would describe herself
as a “foodie”. She also enjoys reading, music and travelling.
Matthew Thompsett - Solicitor
Matthew joined the firm as a Paralegal before completing his training contract and qualifying as a Solicitor in 2012. Matthew obtained a BA History & Politics (First Class Honours) at the University of Leicester before studying law at the University of Sussex and the College of Law, London. Matthew is based at our St Leonards office and undertakes conveyancing work, both residential and commercial, and private client work.
Amanda Wilson - Family Partner
Amanda
is a Salaried Partner in the thriving Family Department and was employed as
a Trainee in 2002, qualified in 2004 and became a Salaried Partner in 2007.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys horse riding and gardening and is kept busy
outside of work with her children, horses and other animals.
Annette Wiseman - Accounts Manager
Annette
is our accounts manager and works from our Bexhill Office. She enjoys spending
her spare time with her grandchildren.
Ros Walter - Cashier
Ros
manages our busy St Leonards office Accounts Department. In her spare time she
likes travelling to hotter climates and listening to music.
Photographs by Colin Bailey www.ryepress.com