CV (Curriculum Vitae) / Résumé

Profile

A highly motivated and focused commercial and civil litigation specialist with experience in both the private and public sector, providing specific and practical advice to clients, with extensive advocacy experience in claims brought by and against the Local Authority and key responsibility to understand policies and procedures applicable to local government in fulfilling its statutory duties under existing legislation.

Career and Achievements to date

Fee Earner – Commercial Practice May 2008 to date
Commercial Team

A member of the commercial litigation team, responsibilities include:

• Representing a variety of commercial clients ranging from listed PLCs to the manufacturing sector advising on a whole spectrum of commercial litigation issues and associated risks or merits of any given claim and the client’s potential financial exposure.
• Advising on and pursuing applications for freezing injunctions, to secure property and subsequent enforcement.
• Representing both independent financial advisers and financial network companies in a number of high value commercial claims involving contractual disputes.

Senior Legal Assistant –
Dispute and Resolution Local Authority February 2000 to April 2008

Key achievements and responsibilities include:

• Representing the Authority in commercial claims in the County Court, High Court and Construction and Technology Court include appearing before District Judges and Masters.
• Investigation and assessment of complex and high value cases involving property, IT, damage, contract, tort, social services and statutory legislation.
• Chairing and attendance at mediation meetings, primarily involving contractual disputes.
• Briefing and liaising with Counsel in respect of claims valued in excess of £100,000.
• Drafting witness statements, defences and all pleadings against the Authority.
• Leading lawyer in reported complex cases
• Training internal client departments in key legislative developments, including data protection.
• Instruction of enforcement agents and third parties in the enforcement of court orders.
• Evaluating prosecution cases for Trading Standards prior to issue in the Magistrates Court and securing high conviction rates.
• Managing legal assistant and active member of the Dispute and Resolution section.
• Successfully conducting possession proceedings against Travellers.


Litigation Assistant Local Authority 1996 to 1999

Key achievements and responsibilities include:

• Assessing merits of new claims and determination of liability.
• Processing of high volume claims using debt recovery management software.
• Liaising with external parties and internal clients.
• Successfully enforcing judgments and court orders on behalf of the Authority.
• Preparing prosecution cases under the Planning Act 1990.

Litigation Executive Small Practice 1995-1996

• Providing legal advice and representation in claims for damages, compensation and debts brought by and against private clients relating to tort, contract, commercial litigation, repossessions and insolvency.

Debt Recovery Manager Regional Practice 1994-1995

• Sole responsibility for running the debt collection unit for private clients.

Debt Recovery Assistant Small Firm
(formerly Cripps & Shone) 1991-1994

• Assisting debt recovery manager in the running of the firm’s debt collection unit.

Litigation Assistant (Civil/Criminal) Small Practice 1989 - 1993

• Attending local police station as a duty representative and providing support to the criminal and civil litigation departments.

Professional and Educational Qualifications

ILEX Qualifications - Admitted member 1994