FM&C - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Commercial Partner at Fairhurst Menuhin & Co
- Partner / Commercial Law
Aaron Menuhin is the Commercial Partner at Fairhurst Menuhin & Co. He works between the UK and Germany and is qualified in international management with an M.Sc. from SOAS and holds an LLM with a specialty in fintech. He has expertise in commercial property, company acquisitions, and cross border contracts. Aaron has particular experience working in the insurance and health sectors. His international expertise brings to his clients a broad vision and pragmatic approach. He speaks French and German.
Aaron is a freeman of the Tallow Chandlers city livery company and a trustee of the Menuhin Competition Trust.
In his free time, Aaron enjoys being with his family, painting and working on classic cars.
Alan holds an LL.B. Honours Degree in Law from Trent Polytechnic Nottingham, qualifying as a solicitor in 1989. Over his 30 years in practice, Alan has gained wide experience in Conveyancing, Criminal Law as well as Employment, but makes no secret of his passion for Family and Matrimonial Law, with particular emphasis on Children cases. As someone who has devoted his Professional life to helping people at their times of greatest need, he is only too pleased to be able to call upon a lifetime's experience to help restore perspective into the lives of Families going through the emotional trauma of relationship breakdown, and to be able to help them survive the same, with the utmost empathy for the lives of all affected.
A "ham" actor on the amateur stage in his youth, Alan loves the theatre, movies and good quality television drama. His greatest love of all remains his own Family and his five beautiful Grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Solicitor / Family Law
A discerning ability to listen, communicate clearly and expertly advise, has stood Geraldine in good stead when dealing with all aspects of family law.
After gaining a journalism degree and national awards for her newswriting, Geraldine used her transferable skills to gain a Graduate Diploma in Law followed by a distinction in Legal Practice, to become a solicitor.
Geraldine specialises in all aspects of divorce from initial proceedings through to the fair division of matrimonial assets, ensuring her client's best interests are served throughout. She prides herself on breaking down the legal jargon and navigating her clients through what can be a legal minefield. Geraldine believes skilful negotiation and attention to detail, is key to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients.
Geraldine also deals with the sensitive area of what happens to children when parents separate. Previous cases have included parents relocating with children, investigating paternity, domestic violence, and negotiating which parent a child should live with and subsequent contact visits.
Client testimonials have paid tribute to Geraldine's compassion, her frank and open approach, and her tenacity when pushing for the fairest outcome - ensuring that the company's promise of peace of mind and customer commitment is paramount.
Jana studied at Trnavska University in Trnava and graduated with master in Law in 2013. She moved to England in 2015 and converted her Slovak law degree at Westminster University in London by obtaining her Graduate Diploma in Law.
Jana has been practising Conveyancing for 2 years and is based in our Saffron Walden office.
Outside of work, Jana, enjoys spending time with her family, reading books and travelling.
Job Titles:
- Legal Executive ( FCILEx )
Julia is based at our Newmarket office, but also meets in our other offices in relation to all types of criminal matters.
Julie Plumb has re-joined our Private Client team after an absence of more than five years.
Kelly studied at the University of Westminster and graduated with an LLB ELS (Hons) in Law. She subsequently passed the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law and was called to the Bar in 2002.
Kelly then completed pupillage at East Anglian Chambers before moving to London and taking a tenancy position at 3 Temple Gardens to practice criminal law (2003). She spent 15 years in London defending both Magistrates' and Crown Court matters. Whilst Kelly enjoyed living and working in London, she decided to move back to her home county of Suffolk and build up a local practice. She frequents the criminal courts all over East Anglia and is well known for her acute attention to detail, excellent client care and interpersonal skills - ensuring that the company's promise of peace of mind and customer commitment is paramount.
Kelly's practice covers a broad range of offences including but not limited to driving offences, theft, violence (including serious violence), sexual offences (including rape) and murder.
Kelly enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and attending the theatre. She enjoys participating in local productions of amateur dramatics as well as organising fund raising events for Canine Welfare, a local charity which she regards very close to her heart.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Head of the Newmarket Office
Luke is head of the Newmarket Office. However, he meets with clients in other offices for commercial matters notably our Cambridge office. Luke has experience with both residential and commercial property transactions.
Outside of work, you will find Luke playing rugby for his local team and attending Tottenham games. Luke enjoys visiting different countries and has recently spent two months travelling through South East Asia.
Michael Whatley qualified in 1971 and has had a wealth of experience in most aspects of the law. Michael served his articles in the city; in 1975, he started his own practice and moved from London to Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket in 1990. His legal expertise extends to contractual disputes, equine, reversionary interest, buying and selling of licensed premises, general debt recovery and conveyancing.
His personal interests include most aspects of country life including riding, hunting, successful racehorse ownership, golf, tennis, squash. He is married with three grown up children.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Managing Partner of FM & C Solicitors
Paul is the Managing Partner of FM&C Solicitors. He is admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa and specialises in Commercial and Intellectual Property Law. He is an accredited mediator and member of the Civil Mediation Council.
He has over 30 years of business experience in a vast array of industries, holding senior management positions with companies in the banking, oil and wireless industries.
Since 2015 Paul has been a Town and District Councillor and is currently Mayor of Saffron Walden.
Paul holds BA and LL.B. degrees (Witwatersrand) and an M.B.A. specialising in International Finance and Marketing and holds an LL.M. degree in Intellectual Property.
Paul is a collector of rare books, Classic cars and Classic German Motorcycles.
Job Titles:
- Senior Solicitor
- Partner / Head of Wills Trusts and Estates
Peter Herriott is a Senior Solicitor in the Private Client Department and has over 30 years' experience in the field of Wills, Probate, Trusts and Tax. He has previously worked in firms in London and Colchester and was a Partner in a leading practice in Bury St. Edmunds for some eight years.
Peter holds an LL.B Degree in Law from West of England University in Bristol and is a longstanding member of both STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) for which he has previously served on the local branch committee, and the Private Client Section of the Law Society.
Away from work, Peter enjoys family life with his wife who is a primary school head teacher and his grown-up daughter. He enjoys walking, reading and playing sports, particularly tennis.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Head of Conveyancing
Sarah-Jane studied at Solent University in Southampton and graduated with LLB (Hons) in Law. Returning home to Essex, she then completed the Legal Practice Course at Anglia Polytechnic University in 1996. Her first employment was with Hambro Legal Protection in Colchester. In 1997 she began her training contract in Clacton-on-sea and qualified in 1999.
Sarah-Jane has enjoyed a successful career spanning over 20 years and is known for the high quality of her service. She has practiced in Essex and Suffolk and so has a good knowledge of the East Anglian region. However, she has also bought and sold properties for clients in other locations throughout England and Wales.
Apart from her experience in residential property Sarah-Jane also has some expertise in Commercial Property, Planning Applications and Licensing.
During her spare time Sarah-Jane enjoys travelling and has covered many parts of Europe. She enjoys fine dining and pottering around her garden. Her favourite cuisine is Italian.
Job Titles:
- Senior Consultant / Commercial and Company
Tim Piper brings to bear 50 years of commercial experience to FM&C. Tim read law at Lincoln College, Oxford before qualifying as a solicitor. He has spent his professional career involved in all the main aspects of corporate and business law both in the City of London and the West End, including takeovers, mergers, flotations, joint ventures, partnerships, agency and distribution agreements and general private and public company work. He also takes an interest in copyright, trade marks and other intellectual property rights.
Tim is a former member of the Council of The Law Society and was President of his local Law Society. He was Master of his City Livery Company-the Tallow Chandlers in 2006/7,where he remains on the Court. He is currently Deputy Chairman of The Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales, which publishes the definitive Law Reports.
Tim's outside interests include horse racing and rowing; being a member of The Royal Enclosure at Ascot and The Stewards Enclosure at Henley, as well as cricket and Rugby Union football. He also enjoys classical music and collecting antiques.