EVERYS - Key Persons
Aiden joined Everys in January 2023 and is a trainee solicitor. He has previous experience working in contentious probate and family law.
Prior to studying law and obtaining a first-class degree, Aiden trained as a mechanic. Aiden enjoys football, going to the gym, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal & Trust Manager
Alex is a Private Client Paralegal & Trust Manager based in our Taunton office.
Alex is a qualified CILEx Paralegal (ACILEx) and has successfully completed the STEP Certificate in Trusts and Estates, both of which have solidified her comprehensive understanding of wills, lasting powers of attorney, inheritance, and trust matters.
Previously, Alex was the Discretionary Trust Fund manager of a UK-based mental health charity. This experience fostered a passion for assisting vulnerable clients with sensitivity and insight. Alex is also a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA England), and is mindful of the well-being of clients, ensuring that their legal concerns are addressed with compassion and care.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Residential Property
Alex Whitmore is an Associate in our Residential Property team based in Tiverton. He joined Everys as a paralegal in 2017 and embarked on his training contract in 2018. Alex was admitted as a solicitor on 1 st April 2020.
Alex has a broad experience of residential property, from freehold and leasehold sales and purchases to dealings with unregistered land, transfers of part, and residential lease extensions. Alex also has experience working for a wide range of clients, from first-time buyers to those purchasing leasehold retirement flats. Having spent time working in the Family and Private Client departments during his training contract, Alex is also accustomed to dealing with transfers of equity following divorce and the sale of property on behalf of executors.
Alex prides himself on his work ethic and his down-to-earth manner. In his spare time, Alex is an enthusiastic rock climber as well as a student of traditional Jiu Jitsu.
With expert knowledge gained over a 30 year career, Alison Jessop is the person you need to speak to when it comes to matters of income and capital gains tax. She is an accomplished tax consultant and a specialist in minimising tax liabilities for individuals, trusts and estates.
Alison's experience covers:
Annual self assessment tax returns with online submission to HMRC;
Annual reviews and income tax repayment claims;
Annual trust tax returns;
Capital Gains Tax calculations on the sale of shares and property;
Agreement of tax position with HMRC to the date of death and tax
returns where required; and
Tax returns for periods of administration of an estate.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate / Commercial
Andrew is a senior associate in our Company/Commercial and Agriculture teams, specialising in helping owner managed businesses and farming partnerships grow, diversify and plan for succession. He has contributed to, and is a member of, the Sustainable Food Trust, and is concerned for the survival of the family owned farming business and, in general, about the decline in the quality of food we eat.
His expertise includes advising on :
Farming partnerships
Farm succession planning strategies
Farm diversification strategies
Company reorganisations and family investment company work
Additionally, Andrew handles a wide range of transactional work for both companies and farms. His recent work include:
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Residential Property
Anna is a Partner and Head of our Residential Property team. She joined Everys in 2021 having previously practised as a property law solicitor in Devon and Somerset for over 15 years. She works from both our Taunton and Honiton offices and is happy to meet with clients in whichever location is most convenient for them.
Anna has a broad range of experience in all aspects of residential property, including new build, leasehold, unregistered land, and transfers of part. She works for a wide array of clients, from first-time buyers or buy-to-let investors to those buying a substantial forever home. She understands the stress of buying and selling property and will work to make the whole process as stress-free and smooth as possible.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal / Commercial
Brogan is a paralegal in the Commercial team and is based at our Taunton Office.
Brogan handles different commercial matters ranging from agricultural or commercial purchases and sales, first registrations of land, adverse possession claims to commercial Leases. Brogan provides a friendly and effective service to all her clients, keeping them updated throughout the process and ensuring as fast and smooth a transaction as possible.
Brogan is currently studying the Legal Practice Course (LPC) alongside her Masters of Law, and will qualify as a Solicitor early 2025.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Commercial
Cameron Evans-Grainger is a Partner in the Commercial Property Department. He joined Everys as a Paralegal in 2016, before beginning his Training Contract and qualifying as a Solicitor in April 2019. Cameron attended Oxford Brookes University where he graduated with a degree in Law with Philosophy.
Cameron advises on a wide variety of commercial matters and his main areas of expertise are:
Commercial Leases, Lease assignments and advising landlords and tenants
Agreements for Lease
Business sales and purchases for a variety of business types ranging in value
Development land acquisitions and subsequent site set-ups for residential sales
Purchase of freehold or leasehold commercial premises
Re-financing
Providing independent legal advice for guarantees
Agricultural land sales and purchases, including sales by auction
First registrations and title rectification
Complex and high-value residential conveyancing
Lease extensions for both commercial and residential properties
Cameron prides himself on his work ethic and his approachability. In his free time, Cameron keeps himself physically fit, playing cricket and rugby for Sidmouth as well as regularly running and cycling in East Devon.
Job Titles:
- Senior Paralegal / Residential Property
Candice joined Everys in 2017 and is a Senior Conveyancing Paralegal in our Residential Property Department based at our Taunton office. She has been working in law for over eight years and has completed the CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice.
Candice is passionate about giving a friendly and efficient service when assisting clients in their transactions.
Outside of work Candice enjoys spending time with family, dog walks, socialising with friends, and reading.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Residential Property
Charles is a Partner in the Residential Property team and joined Everys in November 2022 when Everys and Stokes Partners merged practices. Charles is based at our Crewkerne office.
Charles originally studied to be a barrister and was called to the bar in 2012 before deciding to shift allegiance and become a solicitor.
Charles has specialised in residential property since 2014 and works with clients across a wide range of property-related transactions. He can assist with sales and purchases, both freehold and leasehold, and deal with remortgages and transfers of equity. He deals with first registrations, right-to-buy transactions, Help-to-Buy products and has a specialist knowledge of shared ownership schemes. He is also one of the few lawyers in England and Wales experienced in commonhold sales and purchases.
Charles's clients value his practical and pragmatic advice and approach. He aims to build long-term relationships with his clients by earning their trust and ensuring that the service he provides is always of the highest quality. He will always go that "extra mile" to achieve the best possible outcome.
Away from the office, Charles served as a Crewkerne town councillor between 2018 and 2022 and has sat as the chair of the planning and highways committee. He is a dedicated member of the Army Cadet Force, holding the rank of Captain, and spends most of his free time working with young people within the Army Cadet Force. He is currently the County Shooting Officer and is responsible for delivering training to cadets across Somerset competing at both a national and international level.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Solicitor
- Consultant / Commercial
Charles Cuthbert is a Consultant Solicitor at Everys and was previously the Senior Partner for many years. He joined the firm in 1980 and has returned to our Exmouth office, having overseen the Dubai office for almost 10 years.
Charles handles all types of property transactions as well as some private client work. He is also a Judicial Officer dealing with disciplinary hearings in rugby for the RFU, the United Rugby Championship, Asia Rugby, and World Rugby.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Residential Property
Charlotte Barnacle is an Associate in our Seaton office. She joined the firm in February 2021 having previously worked at an Exeter-based firm for nearly 10 years.
Charlotte has a range of property experience with both freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, including new build properties, transfers of equity, and re-mortgages. She is also familiar with the Help to Buy scheme and the set-up of new build estates including Cranbrook.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Residential Property
Charlotte is a Partner in our Residential Property department and is based at our Exmouth office. Charlotte has worked in property since 2007 and qualified as a Fellow of CILEX in 2012.
Charlotte advises on all matters of residential property including sales, purchases, remortgages, and Transfers of Equity. She also deals with new build properties and the Help to Buy scheme.
Charlotte is an Exmouth local, having been born there, and she is well-known by the local estate agents.
Charlotte Thomas-Collins is a Partner and is Head of the Private Client department. She is based at Exeter and manages the team across our network of offices.
With many years' experience in private client matters, Charlotte's expertise lies in elderly and vulnerable care; tax; trusts and succession; and trust creation and administration. Described as "charming in manner", "courteous" and "warm" by the Legal 500, Charlotte's approach to her work particularly suits elderly and vulnerable clients. Charlotte also acts for clients in relation to their wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney, and estate planning.
Charlotte graduated in law from Brasenose College, Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in 2006. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Chris Lake is an Associate in our Private Client department and is based at both our Sidmouth and Exmouth offices. He first joined Everys in 2003 and stayed nine years before taking time out to fulfill a long-held dream to explore Australia and South East Asia. Upon his return to Everys in 2015, he continued with private client work and now advises on estate administration, probate, wills, and lasting powers of attorney.
Chris is working towards his Chartered Institute of Legal Executives qualification.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Executive
- Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property
Cindy is a Conveyancing Executive in our Residential Conveyancing Team based in Tiverton. Cindy deals with a wide range of residential property transactions including sales, purchase, first mortgages, remortgages, Help to Buy redemptions, transfers of equity and right to buys.
Cindy has worked in the law service for over 20 years here in Tiverton and in Taunton. Cindy prides herself on building a good relationship and rapport with her clients and the local agents with the aim of making the conveyancing process as stress free as possible.
Outside of work, Cindy enjoys spending time with her child and nieces, walking the dog, socialising with friends and reading.
Claire Agnew is a Partner in our Private Client team and has over 20 years' experience in private client matters. Claire specialises in a variety of private client work including advising on and drafting Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and acting for Executors and Administrators in relation to estate administration.
Although based at our Exeter Office, Claire is happy to travel to see clients at any of our offices or at their homes, if this is preferred.
Claire studied Law at the University of Hull and qualified as a solicitor in 2002. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Residential Property
Clare is an Associate Solicitor in the Residential Property team based in Sidmouth. She joined Everys in June 2020 from a Kent firm, relocating to be closer to family in Devon. Clare advises on all aspects of residential property, including:
Sales and purchases for freehold, leasehold, shared ownership, auction and new build properties
lease extensions
remortgages
equity release
transfers of equity
right to buy
help to buy
probate conveyancing
matrimonial conveyancing
first registrations
buy-to-let
Clare won an award at a previous firm for client care and is a conscientious lawyer who enjoys assisting clients through the conveyancing process to the reward of a completed transaction. Clare has acted for a variety of clients, from first-time buyers to buy-to-let investors and property developers and takes pride in offering an efficient and friendly service to all. Following her move to Devon, Clare is excited to discover the delights of her new local area. Outside of the office, Clare enjoys being beside the seaside, walks in the country, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the world by cruise ship.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- in 2024 As a Solicitor
Claudia joined Everys in 2024 as a Solicitor (FCILEx, LLM, LPC) working within the Tiverton Family team. She studied at City University of London Law School, combined with CILEx, and graduated with a 2:1 Honours in Legal Practice and as a Graduate member of CILEx in 2021. Following this, she completed the LPC with Masters at Exeter University in 2023 and was also awarded her CILEx Fellowship. Claudia was admitted to the roll of solicitors in December 2023.
Claudia's area of expertise and specialism is broadly Children Law. Prior to joining Everys, Claudia worked for the Local Authority for over eight years, undertaking public law children work. This mainly involved representing and advising the Local Authority on a broad range of matters. She also advised on private law orders and miscellaneous children matters which is her current area of practice.
Claudia's approach to work is to pursue pleasure and satisfaction from clients who instruct her. She always strives to work with a sense of pride and professionalism to obtain the best outcome for her clients in a timely manner, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Client care is key in her daily approach as she understands family issues can be highly sensitive and emotional. Claudia enjoys the sense of achievement she gets when helping individuals obtain the outcome of resolving family disputes as amicably as possible.
Outside of work, Claudia enjoys walking, especially with her family dog, cooking, and socialising with loved ones.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Solicitor
- Consultant / Commercial
Colin Chesterton is a consultant solicitor whose expertise lies in Regulatory Law, Court of Protection and the office of the Public Guardian, and Disability Living Allowance. Colin also provides support regarding Liquor Licensing issues and general civil litigation. Prior to joining Everys in 2003, Colin was a partner with a local firm for over 20 years.
Colin was a Solicitor Member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and has recently stepped down after more than 27 years.
Connie joined Everys in March 2023 as a Paralegal in our Family Department and is now a trainee solicitor based at our Exeter office.
Before joining Everys, Connie worked for a firm in Bristol within their Family Department.
Connie graduated from the University of Plymouth with a First Class degree in Law. She has also completed her Legal Practice Course and Master's degree from the University of Law.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Senior Paralegal
Danielle Eriksson is a senior paralegal in our Private Client department and is based at our Honiton office. As part of her role, Danielle assists in the administration of deputyship and attorneyship files. She is also involved in the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorneys.
Danielle joined the firm in 2022 and enjoys working in a role that takes a person-centred approach. Her work ensures that she can use the skills she's developed to provide an effective and helpful service to all clients.
Before joining Everys, Danielle worked in healthcare and developed a passion for helping and supporting others. During this time, Danielle completed the LLM in Mental Health Law at Northumbria University.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys walks in the countryside with her spaniel.
David is a partner in the Family team and is based at our Crewkerne office. He joined Everys in November 2022, when his former firm, Stokes Partners LLP, of which he was senior partner, merged with Everys.
David has extensive experience, and is a specialist, in financial remedy work, especially cases involving high-net-worth and high-income individuals as well as complex cases involving businesses, both incorporated and unincorporated, and agricultural issues. His casework includes substantial engagement and experience in dealing with other professionals and experts, notably accountants, chartered surveyors, actuaries, IFAs, chartered town planners, consultant surgeons, and physicians. His practice includes clients from the South West, to London and the Midlands.
Job Titles:
- Senior Paralegal / Residential Property
Debbie is a Senior Paralegal in our Residential Property team and is based at our Taunton Office; she joined Everys in March 2014 and spent two years working within the Firm's Corporate Team.
Prior to joining Everys, Debbie worked at another local law firm for three years, where she assisted the Insolvency Team.
Debbie deals with sales, executor sales, transfers of equity, remortgages, and assists with purchase transactions.
Debbie is passionate about building a good rapport with her clients and aims to guide them smoothly through the conveyancing process in a timely manner.
In her spare time, Debbie enjoys baking, running, and days out with her family and pet dog. At weekends, you will more than likely find her supporting her son from the sideline of a football pitch!
Donna is a Partner at Everys and is Head of the Family team. She joined Everys in 2023 after working at a family law specialist firm for over 17 years as a Director and lawyer. Donna is based at our Exeter office but is happy to meet clients at any of our office locations and over Teams.
Donna specialises in divorce and finance matters - in particular, cases involving pensions and businesses, and those with high assets. She prepares and advises on pre and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. She also advises on private law children matters.
Donna is a Resolution-trained mediator and now carries out mediation work. She undertakes mediations predominantly from our Exeter office but, again, can travel to any location, meeting with separating couples to help them resolve their financial and/or children issues that they are facing.
Donna's approach to family law is to work collaboratively wherever possible but she is not one to shy away from the court process if needed. Her approach has been described by her clients as knowledgeable, personable, empathetic, and professional.
Donna has won the CILEX Presidents Award (2015) for her outstanding services and contribution to the legal sector and she helped set up the Devon CILEX branch in 2009 of which she was Secretary and, later, Chair. She has also taught family law to CILEX students and regularly talks at events, when asked, about her journey into law.
In 2020, Donna was highly commended at the Devon & Somerset Law Society Awards in the Leader of the Year category and was also highly commended at the National CILEX Awards in the Visionary Leadership category in 2018. In 2019, she was highly commended at the National CILEX Awards for the Joyce Arram Memorial Award for advancing the legal profession.
Donna is also recognised as one of the 100 most influential women in Exeter.
Donna has previously been a Trustee at Exeter Citizens Advice and remains in touch with them and supports the work they do.
Donna has also mentored for the charity BEEP, supporting and mentoring young homeless people back into the workplace, and is currently a mentor for students at Exeter University.
Job Titles:
- Litigation Executive
- Litigation Executive and a Member
Ellen Stratton is a self-motivated Litigation Executive and a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She obtained a first-class honours degree in law from The Open University whilst working full-time for a large regional firm of solicitors. Since joining Everys in 2014, Ellen has also completed the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Legal Practice.
Ellen specialises in personal injury cases and deals with a wide range of claims: from straightforward lower-value claims, where the client made a full recovery from their injuries within a few months, to more complex cases for clients whose injuries have long-lasting or permanent consequences.
Emily Clayton joined Everys in May 2023 as a paralegal in our Private Client department and is based at our Tiverton office. As part of her role, Emily assists in the administration of deputyship and attorneyship files. She is also involved in the preparation of Wills.
Before joining Everys, Emily worked in an alternative education and daycare provision for children and young adults with a range of social needs. During her time in this role, she developed the skills and knowledge that she now uses to assist with our vulnerable client matters, providing an understanding, compassionate, and helpful service to all clients.
Emily is currently studying for her BA Honours in Law with The Open University and is hoping to finish her studies by 2026.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys spending quality time with her little boy.
Job Titles:
- Partner / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner / Commercial
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Partner / Residential Property
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- Associate / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Senior Paralegal / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
Job Titles:
- Licensed Conveyancer / Residential Property
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate / Residential Property
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- Residential Conveyancer / Residential Property
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- Lead Associate Solicitor / Commercial
Job Titles:
- Professional Support Lawyer / Operations
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Executive / Residential Property