I was born, raised and educated in Congleton, Cheshire, just 12 miles north of the Potteries. I attended Heathfield High School (now Congleton High), leaving at 18 following A Levels.
However, I did not follow the conventional route into law. Instead of going to University and joining the student hordes I joined a solicitors' firm in Crewe and took the legal executive examinations, qualifying as a Legal Executive in 1995. I then took further examinations, at Staffordshire University, including the Common Professional Examination and the Legal Practice Course. I was lucky enough to pass with a distinction and received the award of “Law School Prize” (actually a book token!). I was admitted as a Solicitor in October 2000.
I have worked in the Potteries since 1991 and joined Knights in June 1998. My work has always been litigation based. My early years in the profession were very varied – debt, personal injury, housing possessions and even some criminal work. Such a varied workload has, I believe, stood me in good stead. Since 1994 I have dealt with personal injury work and I am a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Solicitors Regulation Authority Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme.
Most of the work that I deal with is on behalf of injured claimants, many of whom have very serious life changing injuries. I enjoy the challenge of getting proper, meaningful compensation – not always easy in the face of difficult insurers! I also deal with some defendant work, usually for individuals or businesses unfortunate enough to be without insurance cover.
Over recent years I have delivered lectures on personal injury related topics to local organisations, e.g. North Staffordshire Health & Safety Group, the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (West Midlands) and West Midlands Rehabilitation Group.
Away from the office I like to unwind by playing badminton, football, going for the occasional run, playing guitar and listening to music.