Having been born and brought up in Barlaston, Staffordshire, I read law at the University of Nottingham between 1978 and 1981, graduating with an upper 2nd LL.B. Honours Degree.
I then studied for my solicitors final examination at The College of Law in Chester before starting my training contract with Knights in the summer of 1982. I qualified as a solicitor in September 1984 and was made a partner in 1988.
After spending four years in the Corporate & Commercial Department working on a variety of transactional and non-contentious commercial work, I have practised in the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department of Knights since 1991, undertaking a wide variety of commercial litigation but specialising particularly in property based litigation, including commercial lease renewal work, repossessions (both commercial and residential), dilapidations disputes and land ownership disputes. Since qualification in 1984, I have also undertaken responsibility for Knights' liquor licensing practice.
As well as being a longstanding member of the RSPB and a Stoke City FC season ticket holder, I also chair the Norton in Hales Parish Planning Committee.