GODWINS SOLICITORS - Key Persons
Qualifying in 1984, I have been at Godwins for over 38 years, as a senior partner from 2006 - 2015. I specialise in Wills, probate, trust, tax planning and the affairs of the elderly and help to make sense of matters that can often seem complicated. With a background in farming, I enjoy advising rural clients on various matters, including passing on the family farm and have fostered relationships over the years with generations from the same families. I have an excellent professional network in the Winchester area and am often recommended by my peers, particularly where there are conflicts within families.
Alan is also a full member of STEP, a worldwide professional association for those advising families across generations. They help people understand the issues families face in this area and promote best practice, professional integrity and education to their members.
I qualified in 2010 into one of London's top private client teams before joining Godwins in 2011, where I became a full Member (partner) of the LLP on 1st April 2015. Specialising in wills, probate, trusts, tax planning, powers of attorney and the affairs of the elderly, I've built up a large and varied client base, which includes many clients in London. I particularly enjoy giving clients advice that brings practical solutions to problems and am adept at understanding a variety of family and commercial situations, often advising multi-generations of families. Many of my clients are a result of referrals from other professionals.
I'm an experienced solicitor specialising in commercial real estate law in England and Wales. I trained and qualified at a large national law firm in the City of London, before moving to the Guildford office of an international law firm, where I practised for over 12 years. I joined Godwins in 2019 and became a full Member of the LLP (Partner) on 1 April 2021.
Looking after the Commercial Property department, I've developed a broad practice advising a range of clients on their commercial and agricultural real estate activities, including:
sale and purchase of commercial and agricultural land and buildings, whether for a client's own occupation or as an investment
leasing of commercial premises, advising either for landlords or tenants, and particularly specialising in offices, warehouse and retail premises
development of land and buildings for commercial, residential or mixed use, including option agreements, site assembly, rights of light and neighbourly matters
real estate finance
I have been a trusted adviser to both English and Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed companies, as well as household names in the UK retail sector, high net worth individuals and private family trusts. Clients value my pro-active and commercial approach to their needs.
Job Titles:
- Head of the Private Client Department
I specialise in all residential property matters, including more complex sales and purchases of country properties, and of both registered and unregistered land. I'm experienced in acting in connection with higher end small developments - acting for developers and buyers.
I joined Godwins in July 2019, after many years of experience acting for a range of clients in a City firm, a local Hampshire practice and a large regional firm in Surrey.
I am known for being able to handle more complex transactions - both legally and also where sensitivity and careful handling are required; and I'm often recommended where there are time pressures and there is a need to drive a transaction to a swift conclusion.
I trained and worked in London before moving to Hampshire. I joined Godwins in 2023.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
I joined Godwins in September 2018 having qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2014. Having a background in litigation, I changed specialism in 2015 and became a fee earner in a private client department within a firm on the South Coast. I specialise in all forms of private client work including will drafting, estate administration and the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
I joined Godwins in 2013, becoming a full Member of the LLP (Partner) on 1 April 2021, after qualifying in 2009 into one of the largest private client teams on the South Coast. I specialise in wills, probate, trusts, tax planning, declarations of trusts, powers of attorney and affairs of the elderly. I particularly enjoy finding innovative solutions to matters, adopting a pragmatic approach throughout, to advise and support clients while aiming to take any stress out of their situation.
I have a particular interest in tax planning and lifetime arrangements and have advised a variety of clients on succession planning in family businesses and farming partnerships. Fundamentally, I enjoy getting to know people and working with clients to achieve their goals, adopting a sensitive and responsive approach to matters that can create emotional concerns.
Specialising in Wills, Probate, Trusts, Tax Advice, Powers of Attorney, Support for the Elderly and Declarations of Trust.
Working at Godwins for over 17 years, I qualified in 1998 with one of the best-known law firms in the South East. I specialise in wills, probate, trust, tax planning, attorneyship work and the affairs of the elderly, building up an extremely strong practice, which includes a wide range of individuals across all walks of life.
A key element in handling any matter is effective communication and I believe that this is paramount to delivering a successful, personalised service. This approach has led me to advise many clients who have arisen via personal or professional recommendations. I have a particular interest in probate and the affairs of the elderly and undertake attorneyships for my clients, often becoming highly involved in ensuring their day to day needs are met. I have advised on gift applications to the Court of Protection and more complex inheritance tax schemes.
I joined Godwins in 2021, after training and qualifying at a large national law firm in Southampton. I specialise in commercial real estate law in England and Wales.
I have advised a range of clients on their commercial real estate activities including:
Leasing of commercial premises, acting for either landlords or tenants, in relation to industrial units, offices and high street premises
Sale and purchase of commercial buildings, both as an investment or for occupation
Secured lending work for both purchase and re-finance transactions
Bridging finance matters acting for both lenders and borrowers
Acting for lenders and borrowers on portfolio refinance matters
Advising investor clients on the acquisitions of ground rent reversions
I joined Godwins in 2022 from a large national law firm in Southampton. I'm an experienced solicitor specialising in commercial real estate law in England and Wales, advising a range of clients on their commercial real estate activities including:
the leasing of commercial premises, acting for either landlords or tenants, in relation to industrial units, offices, shopping centres and high street premises including a retail premises on London's Oxford Street;
the sale and purchase of commercial buildings, both as an investment or for occupation;
secured lending work for both purchase and re-finance transactions; and
the development of land and buildings for commercial, residential or mixed use including the redevelopment of a prime asset in Central London and a hotel and spa complex in Devon.
With over 7 years experience in legal finance, most recently in an operations and Head of Finance role in a city law firm, I have rejoined Godwins to lead the finance team, collaborating with the Members to ensure streamlined and compliant financial operations.
I joined Godwins having moved from a Tier 1 Legal 500 firm in Berkshire. I advise a wide range of Clients on a variety of matters including wills, lasting powers of attorney, estate administrations, will trusts and lifetime settlements.
I joined Godwins in 2010 from one of the bigger regional firms on the South Coast. I qualified in 1984 and bring a refreshing and communicative approach to residential property legal matters.
Looking after the Residential Property Department, I enjoy a client base that has involved many high-profile transactions, taking place in both Hampshire and further afield. With broad experience, I have advised on large first registration projects undertaken by landowners, as well as off-plan purchases for investment purposes and matters involving fishing rights and woodland. I often work on multi-million pound residential property transactions.
I have spearheaded the firm's membership of CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) and am the Senior Reporting Officer (SRO) for that scheme. I am also an occasional contributor to The Law Society's Gazette.
I joined Godwins in April 2018 and specialise in wills, lasting powers of attorney, and estate administrations. I also have an expanding practice in lifetime settlements and will trusts.
After qualifying with a private client firm in Wiltshire, I worked for a large national charity where I handled and advised on complex legacy issues. I then returned to private practice when I worked for a top Legal 500 firm in Hampshire.
I have over 30 years experience in Human Resources and Finance management. My previous roles included a 26 year career in the British Army and Practice Manager for a Law firm in Portsmouth.
I joined Godwins in November 2020, having worked in the residential property industry for 15 years in respected conveyancing departments in North Hampshire and West Berkshire law firms. I deal with a wide variety of residential property matters, including freehold and leasehold sale and purchases, transfers, re-mortgages and adverse possession claims. My particular interest is dealing with unregistered properties.