Adams Harrison Solicitors, Team Members
We are a team of dedicated law professionals, ready to support all your legal requirements.
Partners
Melanie Pratlett
Qualified 1988
Melanie Pratlett qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and has been with Adams Harrison since 1993 becoming a Partner in 1996. Melanie Pratlett is our Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP).
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Melanie enjoys walking, going to the theatre and ballet, and travelling.
Jennifer Carpenter
Qualified 2000
Jennifer Carpenter became Managing Partner of the firm in January 2014. She was appointed as a Partner in January 2005, having qualified as a solicitor in 2000. She is head of our Dispute Resolution/Litigation department. Jennifer is also the person responsible for the quality of all the services we provide to clients, and the person who will deal with any complaints. She is also our Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) and our Data Protection Officer.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Jennifer enjoys baking, spending time with her family, wild swimming (especially in the sea) and caravanning.
Richard Booth
Qualified 2000
Richard Booth joined the firm in April 2016 and became a partner in 2019. After heading up the Residential Property Department from 2022, Richard has now moved to head of the Commercial Department. He is also the Senior Responsible Officer under the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and is the firms Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) and is the firms Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO).
Hobbies and Interests. When not at work Richard enjoys reading, cricket and travel.
Jack Stewart
Qualified 2016
Jack Stewart became a Partner of the firm on 1st January 2023 and Head of the Property Department on 1st July 2024.
Hobbies and Interests. In his spare time Jack loves nothing more than going on days out with his family followed by evening entertainment supporting his favourite football and NFL teams, Manchester United and LA Rams.
Emma Bilsborrow
Qualified 2014
Emma qualified as a Legal Executive in 2014 and joined Adams Harrison in February 2023 becoming a Partner in July 2023. She is head of our family department which covers divorce, financial matters and matters relating to children. Emma is a member of Resolution.
Hobbies and Interests. Emma’s hobbies are cooking and cleaning and keeping the dog out of the new extension!
Wills and Probate
Melanie Pratlett
Qualified 1988
Melanie Pratlett qualified as a solicitor in 1988 and has been with Adams Harrison since 1993 becoming a Partner in 1996. She specialises in the Wills Estates and Trust areas of the practice and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Melanie Pratlett is our Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP).
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Melanie enjoys walking, going to the theatre and ballet, and travelling.
Liz Middleton
Qualified 1997
Liz Middleton joined Adams Harrison in December 2023. Liz has been qualified as a solicitor for over 25 years. She specialised in Criminal Law until 2015, and has also spent time working outside the legal profession with an independent financial adviser and as a financial ombudsman. She has over three years’ experience in Private Client work and her other experience has given her a unique insight into different aspects of this work. Liz can assist with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and the administration of estates. Liz works mostly in the Saffron Walden office but can also arrange telephone or online meetings – and is happy to visit clients at home when needed.
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Liz enjoys gardening, walking, travelling and listening to music.
Sarah Bruce
Qualified 2000
Sarah Bruce joined the firm in 1995 as a trainee legal executive working within the Probate department. She qualified in 2000 as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEx). Sarah is able to assist will Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and all matters relating to Probate and Trust administration. Sarah works mainly in the Haverhill and Saffron Walden offices but can meet clients also in the Sawston office or via telephone or zoom meeting if preferred. Home visits can also be arranged for those who would find it difficult to travel to one of our offices. Sarah places great importance on getting to know her clients personally and supporting them through difficult times and dealing with sensitive issues.
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Sarah enjoys walking her dogs and reading.
Leanne Mayes
Qualified 2015
Leanne Mayes joined Adams Harrison 2002, and has progressed at the firm from office junior/receptionist to legal executive and qualified in 2015 as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEx), when she also won the Cambridgeshire and District Law Society Trainee Lawyer of the Year Award 2015. Leanne specialises in the preparation of Wills and Administration of Estates and can also deal with various aspects of Powers of Attorney and Deputyship Order applications. Leanne is based at Haverhill office but can meet clients in any office as well as by telephone or remote video meeting. Leanne is also able to visits clients at home if necessary.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Leanne enjoys spending time with her two children
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Christine Gee
Qualified 2000
Christine Gee has over 40 years’ experience in the law but has specialised in Wills and Probate for the last 23 years having gained a Specialist Paralegal Diploma in April 2000. Christine is based at our Sawston office and can also visit clients at home, or via telephone or remote video meeting. Christine is able to assist with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Estate Administration and Court of Protection Deputyship Orders.
Hobbies and Interests. When not in the office Christine enjoys reading, painting (occasionally!) and spending time with her dogs.
Tracy Bonham
Tracy joined the firm in 1989 and has progressed from office junior through secretarial roles to Paralegal and has been assisting Melanie Pratlett since 2003. She specialises in dealing with the administration of estates from start to finish. Tracy has a wealth of knowledge in this area having been trained and supervised by Melanie over a number of years.
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Tracy likes to read, cook and walk her dogs. She also loves seeing the grandchildren.
Property
Jack Stewart
Qualified 2016
Jack Stewart is a Partner of the firm and Head of the Property Department. Based in our Saffron Walden office Jack specialises in Residential Property matters and is able to assist clients with an extensive range of residential property work including sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold matters, shared-ownership and new builds. Jack prides himself on his approachability and client orientated service which he feels is key during what can be a stressful and testing process.
Hobbies and Interests. In his spare time Jack loves nothing more than going on days out with his family followed by evening entertainment supporting his favourite football and NFL teams, Manchester United and LA Rams.
Cathy Buck
Qualified 1999
Cathy Buck is a Legal Executive specialising in residential property work at our Haverhill office. She joined the firm in 1993 as a trainee Legal Executive and qualified as a Fellow (FCILEx) of the Institute of Legal Executives (now Chartered Institute of Legal Executives). Cathy is able to assist with freehold and leasehold sales and purchases of a wide range of properties, including buy-to-let, new builds and shared-ownership properties. Cathy is also able to advise on transfers of equity, re-mortgages, the granting of easements (including prescriptive easements), and adverse possession.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Cathy enjoys reading, long walks in the countryside and attending exercise classes.
Stefonie O’Marra
Qualified 1999
Stefonie O’Marra joined the firm in November 2021 and works in our Saffron Walden office. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and has over 21 years legal experience and over 8 years’ experience in Residential Conveyancing. Stefonie is able to assist clients in all aspects of residential conveyancing including sales and purchases of both freehold and leasehold; new builds, shared ownership and help to buy; equity transfer and equity release; re-mortgages; lease extensions; right to buy purchases; land purchases and first registrations.
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Stefonie enjoys the gym. She loves musical theatre and music concerts, and watching rugby.
Roslyn Sweeney
Solicitor
Qualified 2003
Roslyn joined Adams Harrison in June 2024 as a Solicitor having previously worked within the conveyancing teams of prominent multi-discipline legal practices. Having worked in Cambridge for over 20 years, Roslyn has a thorough understanding of the Cambridge market and is able to assist clients with a diverse range of residential property work including but not limited to high net worth freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, mortgages and re-mortgages, lease extensions and new build developments.
Hobbies and Interests. In her own time, Roslyn enjoys Formula 1, travelling and live music.
Commercial and Commercial Property
Richard Booth
Qualified 2000
Richard Booth is a partner of the firm and head of the Commercial Department which covers both commercial and commercial property matters. He is responsible for all commercial work undertaken by the firm across all 3 offices and is the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) Senior Responsible Officer. Richard qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and has worked in the local area for 20 years following a career break spent travelling. Richard is able to advise clients in all aspects of property matters together with commercial transactions. Richard has a personable and client focussed approach.
Hobbies and Interests. When not at work Richard enjoys reading, cricket and travel
Matthew Darmon
Qualified 2019
Matt Darmon joined Adams Harrison in July 2015 as a paralegal in the commercial property department. He completed his training contract, focussing on residential and commercial property work, and qualified in 2019. After a brief stint working as a commercial property solicitor in a Cambridge firm, Matt re-joined Adams Harrison in the Conveyancing department in 2020 and is currently based in our Haverhill office. Matt is able to assist clients with a wide range of matters encompassing residential and commercial property, agricultural property and commercial.
Family Law
Emma Bilsborrow
Qualified 2014
Emma Bilsborrow heads up our Family team and specialises in privately funded family law cases. She has a working knowledge of trust law, which helps her when dealing with those complex cases where substantial assets are held in trust by one or the other party involved in divorce proceedings. Emma deals with all disputes surrounding divorce and financial matters, including high net worth divorce cases, and advises on how best to deal with pensions with regards to making equal capital or income, and aims to deal with these cases amicably. Emma also specialises in privately funded Children Act proceedings such as applications for Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders and helps and assists families at what is a particularly tough time. Additionally, Emma is experienced in preparing Cohabitation and Separation Agreements and both Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements.
Emma is a member of Resolution and is committed to approaching cases in a sensitive and non-confrontational manner in order to avoid animosity between married and separated couples; however, she similarly assists our client’s in exploring all possible ways of resolving disputes, to include litigation where needed.
Hobbies and Interests. When not at work Richard enjoys reading, cricket and travel
Tanya Norley
Qualified 2022
Tanya Norley (nee See) joined the firm in September 2023 and works within the Family Team. She specialises in privately funded cases. Tanya can deal with all disputes surrounding divorce and financial division of assets following the separation of couples. Tanya also deals with privately funded Children Act proceedings such as applications for Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Child Arrangements Orders. Additionally, Tanya has experience in drafting Cohabitation and Separation Agreements.
Tanya is able to meet clients in any of our offices at their convenience. Alternatively, if preferred Tanya can also meet clients via Zoom meetings.
Hobbies and Interests. Tanya’s hobbies are dog walking, reading, cooking, socialising with friends and travelling.
Dispute Resolution
Jennifer Carpenter
Qualified 2000
Jennifer Carpenter is Head of the Dispute Resolution department. She specialises in Employment, Property Dispute Litigation and Contentious Probate. She has over 20 years’ experience of representing clients and assisting them in resolving a range disputes. She represents client at mediation, courts and tribunals. Jennifer prides herself on applying the law in a practical and pragmatic way to reach resolution as swiftly as practicable for clients; and where ever possible avoid the need for court proceedings. She considers herself as approachable and takes the time to explain the process and the legal position for clients.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Jennifer enjoys baking, spending time with her family, wild swimming (especially in the sea) and caravanning.
Anton Bilinski
Qualified 2010
Anton Bilinski is a Chartered Legal Executive working within the Dispute Resolution department having qualified in 2010.
Anton’s area of expertise is in Personal Injury Law having acted for a number of clients with their claims following Accidents at Work or in a Public Place, and Road Traffic Accidents, with a high success rate, achieving above average payments for his clients. He is member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
Anton can also advise on matters across a broad range of civil litigation including advising Landlords in connection with possession claims and recovery of rental arrears as well as disputed debts for individuals and companies.
Anton joined the firm in 2001 and has built up a longstanding relationship with local clients and businesses throughout this time.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Anton enjoys spending time with his family.
Trainee Solicitors
Luke Gardiner
Luke Gardiner joined the firm in November 2022. Having completed both his law degree and Legal Practice Course,
Luke also holds the LLM qualification. Luke is currently in his second year of his training contract and is completing training seats in both residential and commercial property, litigation and employment law.
Hobbies and Interests. When he is not working Luke’s hobbies are training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, hiking and going to the gym.
Briony Dodson
Briony Dodson joined the firm in September 2023 after completing her Law degree. Briony is undertaking Qualifying Work Experience and is studying for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams. She is currently assisting in the Property department.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Briony enjoys walking her 4 dogs, baking and playing tennis
Caitlin Longland
Trainee Solicitor
Caitlin Longland joined Adams Harrison in July 2022 as a Legal Secretary in Private Client having completed her Law and Criminology degree. Caitlin is in the final stages of the Legal Practice Course and is currently in her first year of her training contract completing seats in Private Client, Residential Property and Dispute Resolution.
Hobbies and Interests. In her free time Caitlin loves to run and has completed various races including a marathon.
Administration
Louise Taghi
Louise Taghi joined the firm in November 2021. Louise has many years’ experience in the legal profession and the experience ranges from Solicitors to Barristers’ Chambers from single office High Street firms to the 12th largest law firm in the world.
She brings a depth of experience to the Practice and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Legal Finance & Management (ILFM).
Louise is responsible for day to day management of the firm and works closely with the Partners.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Louise is a member of a Suffolk-based ladies choir, and also enjoys gardening and keeping fit.
Alison Helbert
Alison Helbert joined Adams Harrison in July 1981 and has progressed to the Partnership’s Accounts Manager.
She is therefore responsible for a wide range of the organisation’s financial matters. This includes working with accountants and auditors to ensure the accuracy and validity of company accounts; ensuring financial compliance with legal, regulatory and policy requirements; management of income and expenditure; financial reporting; contributing to the development of budgets and forecasts; managing organisational cash flows.
She is supported by an accounts assistant and works closely with the firm’s Partners.
Hobbies and Interests. Outside of work Alison’s hobbies are gym and exercise classes, and dog walking.
Rebecca Monk
Rebecca Monk joined the firm in December 2009 as a Trainee Accounts Assistant/Office junior, and has progressed to her current role of Accounts and IT Assistant.
She supports the Accounts Manager in the efficient running of the Accounts Department.
In her role as IT Assistant Rebecca resolves problems and facilitates upgrades, liaising with providers when necessary. She maintains the case management system, and aims to make the system more efficient for users.
She provides training to staff on both Accounts and IT.
Hobbies and Interests. When she is not working Rebecca enjoys crafting, reading, amateur dramatics and netball.
