Gareth Thompson is
the head of our
corporate/commercial
team and has over 25
years’ experience. He is
also a co-director and
mediator in the practice.

According to others,
Gareth’s secrets of
success are his sound
commercial acumen,
proven business skills,
and his creative, highly pro-active and client-focussed approach.
His mission is to ensure that every client does business on their terms and not other people’s!

Gareth enjoys walking on water in various frozen and liquid forms (with varying degrees of success!), sailing and power boating.

They say
“I have done business with Gareth for a number of years now... He has a great capacity to engage, analyse, advise and support in an infectiously positive,
enthusiastic and energetic manner.
He always gets results and … markedly improves business situations with the minimum of
fuss.”

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Direct Dial 01562 514862

Tony Gibb is the head of our commercial and residential property team. He studied economics and politics at Loughborough University
and worked in the retail
sector before seeing the
light and studying law in
Birmingham and training with DWT in 2001. He became a partner in 2005 and is now a co-Director of the practice.

He says his secret of success is providing great client service at all times. His areas of expertise include Business Leases,
acquisition of Development Sites
for both residential and commercial purposes, Private Equity finance
and Landlord and Tenant matters.

In his spare time Tony enjoys playing golf, tennis, football and attempting winter sports. He is also a keen Aston Villa supporter.

They say

“One very successful way I have found to help retain clients and
to positively promote my business is to refer them to you. Every client
referred to you to date has remarked upon the
professionalism and courteous way their affairs have been handled.”

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Direct Dial: 01562 514870

Rob Mason is the head of our litigationteam, a solicitor and a co-director of DWT Legal.

He studied law at Manchester University. He has over 25 years’ experience in litigation,15 of which have been at partnership level. He recently took a claim involving Scottish and Newcastle PLC to the House of Lords which went on to become a leading case on the liability of an assignee to a lease. Rob likes to take a robust approach to protect his client’s interests. Outside work, Rob enjoys travelling and swimming. He plays golf and has a handicap of 12. He can speak both French and Spanish.

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Direct Dial : 01562 514873

Mat Abdulla is the head of our employment team, a solicitor and a co-director of DWT Legal. He has extensive experience of business and commerce.

He has a First Class Honours and a Masters Degree in Chemistry. Mat was a leading Scientist before re-qualifying as a solicitor at the ripe old age of 38. Mat has specialised in employment law since 1998 and is familiar with all of its aspects. He has represented employees and employers in many Employment Tribunals and has successfully concluded over 3,000 cases. Mat believes that his scientific background and prior industrial experience have enabled him to become a good lawyer as it has given him an insight into employment practices of employers both large and small. Most of Mat’s work is carried out on a No Win No Fee basis and he is successful in more than 90% of his cases. Mat is also fluent in Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Mirpuri languages. He enjoys his Guinness and has convinced his wife that Guinness is a non-alcoholic Irish coke.

They say:

“Thank you for all your help, support and advice.”

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Direct Dial: 01562 514867

Maggie Reardon is a solicitor and head of our Wills and Probate department. She was a computer programmer and then ran her own catering business whilst studying law and simultaneously raising a family. She is also a director of a manufacturing business (and she can weld, too).

She says her secrets of success are that she doesn’t hang around and does everything she can to fulfil the client’s wishes. She is currently undertaking the STEP qualification. In her spare time Maggie enjoys spending time with her family.

They say:

“You took a complicated and sensitive issue, made it understandable to non-legal minds and before we knew it we had our wills in place. You went out of your way and beyond the call of duty to help us and for this we are very grateful.”

“Your home visits meant that we did not have to worry about transporting my elderly and ill parents to an office… Your patience and understanding in dealing with older people was wonderful, you explained things clearly and openly.”

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Debbie Fowler is the head of our Family department. She qualified as a Fellow of The Institute of Legal Executives in 1996 and joined DWT in 2003. She enjoys all aspects of family law especially dealing with high net worth separations and divorces. She is a member of Resolution and is a Collaborative Family Lawyer.

Debbie regards her secrets of success as being practical and helpful with an eye for detail. She works hard to retain everyone’s dignity in a separation or divorce.

Outside work Debbie enjoys playing the euphonium in a brass band, visiting sunny places to sit in the shade and walking her Border collie who has a real attitude.

They say:

'Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me.'  Mrs S of Stourport.

'Your true professionalism throughout has been very apparent to me.' Mr J of Kinver

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Direct Dial: 01562 514872

Shane Miller is a solicitor in our family department. She is originally from near Sheffield and studied law at Staffordshire University. She joined DWT Legal in June 2006 as a paralegal and she has since trained and qualified as a solicitor in their family department.

She regards her secrets of success as plain speaking and being approachable. She works very hard for her clients and tries to achieve the best result she can for them, as amicably and cost-effectively as possible. She is applying to become a member of Resolution.

In her spare time she enjoys socialising, the gym, swimming, fine wines and dining, family and reading. She also speaks conversational Spanish.

They say:

“I’d just like to say a personal thank you for your professionalism, kindness and understanding during my divorce case. I valued your energy and drive at a time when I didn’t know where to turn.” – Mrs Y of Stourport.

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Ruth Lloyd is a solicitor working in our commercial property department. She studied law at the University of Wales, Swansea. Having
trained with MFG Solicitors LLP, she joined DWT in June 2009.
Ruth’s practice area covers a broad range of property matters to
include the buying, selling and leasing of commercial properties. Ruth also advises clients on the sale and purchase of residential property.

Additionally, she works alongside our corporate and commercial department and advises clients in the sale and purchases of businesses.

Ruth has recently developed an area of expertise in acting for clients in relation to development work.

Ruth emphasises the need to work closely with clients in developing and maintaining relationships to ensure her clients receive pragmatic and cost-effective advice.

In her spare time Ruth enjoys socialising, playing hockey for Kidderminster Ladies, and travelling. She is also learning to play golf.

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Direct dial: 01562 514871

Sue Partridge is a Licensed Conveyancer specialising in residential property. Sue has spent her working life in the engineering/scrap metal industry and pharmacy as well as the legal profession.  Sue was born locally but moved to Bournemouth in 1995, working at Neville-Jones & Co and Preston & Redman.  She worked for mfg solicitors on her return to the Midlands. She has experience in Private Client as well as Conveyancing.  She was told by her matrimonial Barrister that with her experience it was a waste she was not qualified, so she became a Licensed Conveyancer.  Sue says she always likes to treat clients the way she would like to be treated and tries to "put herself in their position".

She enjoys walking and travelling and loves meeting new people.  She hates ironing and housework.

They say:

“I would like to thank you for the extremely efficient and friendly manner in which you handled the purchase of our property.”

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Phil Rolls is a trainee solicitor currently sitting in the litigation department. He read politics at Loughborough University and then went on to work in retail for ten years. Following this, he studied law at the University of Birmingham at the age of 32. Phil has a particular interest in debt recovery and bankruptcy matters.

Phil regards his prior experience in industry as one of the secrets to his success, as this lends him a practical insight on the application of the law. He also has extensive customer-facing experience which enables him to build strong relationships with clients.

Outside of work Phil enjoys spending time with his family and playing most sports including football, cricket and squash.

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Direct Dial: 01562 514863

Anna Hackett is a paralegal in our family department. She attended Nottingham Trent University where she studied biology. After a couple of years in retail, Anna joined DWT in 1999. In 2006 she gained the Level 6 Higher Diploma in Family Law through ILEX.

Anna regards her secrets of success as having been in the job for ten years, being approachable and down to earth and being friendly and attentive with the clients.

Anna enjoys swimming, socialising, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

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Direct Dial: 01562 514872

Max Davies works in our corporate/commercial department. He studied law at the University of Sheffield and gained experience in the retail sector before completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Birmingham. He joined DWT in December 2009.

Max prides himself on his pro-active approach to client matters, maintaining a positive and friendly relationship with all of his clients.

In his spare time Max enjoys numerous adrenaline-fuelled sports and is an avid follower of rugby and formula 1.

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Direct dial: 01562 514868

Gilly McAllister is a paralegal working in both the corporate and
litigation departments.
She studied English at
the University of Birmingham before converting to law and studying the Legal
Practice Course at the College of Law.

She regards her secrets
of success as going the extra mile to please the client, and making lots
of to do lists!

In her spare time she enjoys walking, ballet
and has written two novels.

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Direct dial: 07855 393635

Zoe Perry is a Paralegal at DWT Legal, specialising in Probate, Wills and Trusts matters. She joined DWT in August 2004.

Whilst working, Zoe has also undertaken legal studies and is currently finishing the third year of her law degree at Worcester Law School.

After graduating, Zoe plans to continue her legal education and complete the Legal Practice Course at Birmingham College of Law in 2011.

Zoe is an associate member of the Association of the Society of Specialist Paralegals (ASSP).

When she is not working or studying, Zoe enjoying exploring new places, spending time with family & friends and above all that, shopping.

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