People Profiles

Jane Pillar joined us in 1989 when she qualified from college as a Legal Secretary to do conveyancing work. Displaying excellent organisation skills together with a balanced and ‘unflappable’ manner Jane moved to work for Martin Knox, a partner at the firm who later succeeded Anthony Collins to become Senior Partner. Jane played a dual role acting as PA to Martin and also working as a ‘Team Co-ordinator’ helping to supervise and develop other secretaries within the firm. Over the years she has contributed significantly to developing high standards amongst the team of secretaries we have and now works as PA to the partnership, a challenging role that involves providing support to the Senior Partner together with supporting the Executive Board and the Partnership – brave woman!

Helen Tucker first joined us as a Trainee Solicitor in 1992 and qualified as a Solicitor in the recently formed Housing Department in 1994. Helen gained valuable experience in legal aid work for tenants and then increasingly working for private and social landlords. Helen rapidly developed a passion for housing becoming an associate in 1997. She became a partner in 2001. Together with other partners here, Helen was and is inspired by the firm using its position as market leaders in social housing to make a real contribution to the transformation of communities across the country. She now leads an exceptional team of lawyers who specialise in Litigation in the Housing Sector, helping landlords to meet high standards of housing management and to tackle a wide range of issues that include, for example, anti-social behaviour, property disrepair and breach of tenancy. She chairs our Promotions Panel, helping the firm to identify ‘rising stars’ and develop them to be our leaders of the future though promotions to associate and senior associate. Helen won the Commercial Solicitor of the Year Award at the Birmingham Law Society Awards in 2010.

Warren joined us in 1998 as an Office Junior and quickly made a good impression with his warm and friendly personality. After learning all about the firm’s administration systems, Warren pursued his interest in IT by joining the IT department in 2000 as a Systems Administrator where he began to develop his knowledge and expertise. Warren trained with the firm for his Microsoft certified qualifications and in 2008 became our Senior Network engineer, helping to shape and develop our IT systems which are known for their reliability and ease of use.

Inez started her legal career as a legal secretary working in Birmingham and after several years began to study law part time at University. Inez joined us as a Trainee Solicitor in 2000 and on qualification was offered a position in our Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Department. Inez has worked as a valuable team member and in recent years has begun to develop a ‘niche’ in representing claimants pursuing education litigation claims together with advising on appeals in the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal and Judicial Review claims. Inez is passionate about the importance of education and alongside other lawyers in the firm is developing our involvement in this field. In addition to this Inez is actively involved in the work to introduce new clients to the firm.

Following completion of the Legal Practice Course and whilst awaiting a training contract within the public sector, Richard worked as a legal adviser dealing with the consequences of a transfer of a building society's business to a bank. In 1998, he began his legal training with Hertfordshire County Council and was appointed as the Council's education solicitor in 1999, within the Council's corporate team. This move led to Richard developing skills and expertise in advising public authorities on Education matters, a specialism he developed further by moving to Warwickshire County Council in 2003 where he worked as a senior solicitor advising both the council and local schools on education and children’s services work as well as managing the School Appeals Service for Warwickshire. In 2007 Richard joined us as a Solicitor in our Projects and Procurement department, where he has been working at developing the firm’s presence and expertise in the education sector whilst continuing his work in supporting public bodies on a wide range of education related matters.

When Raj Bhangal joined us she was already an experienced lawyer.  Raj had trained as a Solicitor at Wright Hassall and then moved to Eversheds on qualification where she worked in their Property Team for a number of years. Raj joined us in 2004, contributing to the growth and development of our Property Department. Alongside her fee-earning role, Raj has added value to her team through displaying a commitment to high standards of client care and through the supervision of more junior lawyers. Raj has an interest in business development which has led to her introducing new clients to the firm and introducing a specific fixed fee service for a large commercial client. In 2008 Raj was appointed an Associate.

Following the completion of his studies at the University of Liverpool and Chester College of Law, Matthew joined us as a Trainee Solicitor in 1999. Matthew had already developed an interest in employment law, partly through his work as a voluntary advisor at his local citizen’s advice bureau, and he qualified as a Solicitor in our Employment Department in 2001. He has contributed significantly to the growth and development of our Employment Department and became an Associate in 2007. Matthew now leads his own team within our Employment Department and specialises in providing support to employer clients defending contentious matters and advising employer clients on live employment disputes often, but not exclusively, within the Charities and Education sectors. He continues to build a formidable reputation as a tribunal advocate. Matthew also advises an increasing number of senior employees and in negotiation has achieved a series of significant results.