WALKER & SHARPE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Family Law Association
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the Medico - Legal Society and Scottish Association of the Study of Offending
Dominic was educated at Dumfries Academy. He studied History and Politics at the University of Strathclyde, before undertaking an accelerated law degree, graduating in 2012. Thereafter, Dominic commenced his training with local firm John Henderson & Sons, qualifying as a solicitor in 2014.
Dominic joined Walker & Sharpe in 2017, and became a Partner in 2021. Dominic practices in all areas of criminal law. He has a wealth of experience of representing accused persons at both Solemn and Summary level, and has considerable experience conducting trials and exceptional hardship/special reasons proofs in the Justice of the Peace and Sheriff Courts in Dumfries and further afield.
Dominic is also a member of the Medico-Legal Society and Scottish Association of the Study of Offending (SASO).
Graham was educated at Bannerman High School, Glasgow. He graduated from Strathclyde University in 1981 and gained his Diploma in Legal Practice in 1982. He completed his traineeship in Hamilton and relocated to Dumfries in 1985.
Graham became a partner in Hewats, Castle Douglas in 1986 thereafter joining Austins, Dalbeattie, where he was assumed as a partner in 1992. Graham joined Walker and Sharpe in 2015 as a Consultant.
He practices in residential conveyancing and private client work including Wills, Trusts and Executries, and has an interest in elderly client care.
Originally from Northampton, England, Joshua relocated to Scotland in 2014. Joshua graduated with an Accelerated Degree in Scots Law (with Distinction) in 2016 and the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2017, both from the University of Glasgow.
Joshua then completed his training and worked with another local firm in Dumfries for a number of years, before joining Walker & Sharpe in April 2022.
Joshua currently deals with and is available for instruction in the following areas: Agricultural, Rural, Residential and Commercial property sales and purchases, Remortgages, Transfers of Title, boundary queries, Commercial and Residential Leasing, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Notary public work.
In his spare time Joshua enjoys travelling, walking his 2 Cocker Spaniels and looking after his array of rescue chickens.
Lauren graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2019, where she obtained her Degree in Scots Law with honours and the Diploma in Professional Practice. Lauren undertook her Traineeship at a Glasgow firm and qualified as a solicitor in 2021. As a result of the pandemic, Lauren made the decision to move back home to Dumfries and Galloway and joined Walker and Sharpe in March 2022 as an Assistant Solicitor in our Civil Law Department. Lauren was promoted to Associate in October 2023.
Lauren assists clients with all aspects of civil and family law, including divorce, separation, child law, landlord and tenant and commercial law. Lauren regularly represents clients in the Sheriff Courts, the First Tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber), and at Children's Panels. She also has experience in the Upper Tribunal for Scotland and Sheriff Appeal Court, and in 2023, took part in a Fatal Accident Enquiry at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
Lauren has a particular interest in child law and housing matters. She is presently a member of the Family Law Association of Scotland.
Outside of work, Lauren has a keen interest in singing and writing her own music and has performed at venues all over the UK.
Lister was educated at Madras College in St Andrews and then Dundee University. He joined Walker & Sharpe in 1991. Lister specialises in family law, and has a broad civil practice covering accident claims, contract disputes, employment law and debt recovery. He became a partner of the firm in 1994.
Lister is often requested by the Court to prepare child welfare reports in particularly difficult cases where there is a dispute involving a child. Lister is also frequently appointed to act on behalf of children by the Sheriff. He is a member of the Family Law Association.
Outside of law, tennis is his main passion having played up to county level. He is a qualified tennis coach and is currently Secretary of the Dumfries and Galloway Tennis Association, which is involved in all aspects of developing tennis in the region.
Neil graduated with a degree in Scots Law with Honours and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice from Edinburgh University, before training with Messrs Russell & Aitken in Denny. He relocated to Dumfries in 1997, before joining the team at Walker & Sharpe in 2002. Neil practices in domestic and commercial conveyancing and has a wealth of experience in property related matters.
When he is not working, Neil enjoys spending time (in the great outdoors whenever possible) with his wife and children, and has recently discovered an aptitude for musical theatre, having joined the Dumfries Musical Theatre Company.
Job Titles:
- Property Manager
- Our Property Manager
Rachel joined Walker & Sharpe as our Property Manager in June 2023, bringing with her a unique blend of skills and experience. With a solid foundation in retail, marketing, sales and visual merchandising, Rachel has developed a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach that sets her apart in the world of property management.
Rachel's retail background has instilled in her a strong customer-centric mindset that she now applies to every aspect of property management. She understands that every client has distinct requirements and preferences and is dedicated to tailoring solutions that cater to those individual needs.
Rachel's expertise in visual merchandising brings a fresh perspective to property management. She recognises the important of presentation and aesthetics in showcasing a property's true potential. Whether it's staging a space for rental or sale, Rachel has a knack for creating environments that resonate with potential purchasers and drive results.
Shannon graduated from Robert Gordon University in 2010 with a degree in Scots Law with First Class Honours. She worked within the legal sector while undertaking her Diploma in Professional Practice part-time, graduating from the University of Strathclyde in 2013. Shannon qualified as a solicitor in 2015, and joined the team at Walker & Sharpe in 2016 before being assumed as a Partner in 2021.
Shannon focuses primarily on Wills, Trusts, Executries, and Powers of Attorney. She is the first point of contact for our elderly and vulnerable clients, and has been appointed by the court to act as a professional Guardian to clients who are incapable of making decisions and safeguarding and promoting their financial interests. Shannon advises our clients in relation to all aspects of estate planning and administration, including succession planning, tax, asset protection and contentious trusts and estates. She is an Affiliate Member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP).