David Kearsley

Solicitor & Joint Managing Director

T: 01483 521 597

E: David.Kearsley@dpmlegal.co.uk

David qualified as a solicitor June 2006 and has obtained a wealth of property experience over the past decade having managed commercial and residential transactions, located throughout the country, and is familiar with all kinds of property transaction. In particular, David is experienced in dealing with commercial property acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant work (acting for both landlords and tenants) and secured lending work. David is familiar with how commercial property “works” across a broad range of sectors including offices, retail, leisure and industrial. He has handled transactions including leases of high value headquarters premises in the City, the purchase of pubs, taking leases of restaurant premises for a national chain, managing the letting of retail space within large shopping centres and the sale of multi-let office buildings as ongoing investments. David has also acted for several large banks carrying out secured lending. David enjoys really getting to know the people involved in the businesses he acts for and forming lasting relationships with them.

Charlotte Avens

Senior Solicitor

T: 01483 521 597

E: Charlotte.Avens@dpmlegal.co.uk

Charlotte has been a fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives since April 2013, qualified as a solicitor in November 2015 and has worked in the property industry since 2006. She has experience in both commercial and residential property and is proficient in dealing with acquisitions, disposals and remortgages throughout England and Wales. Charlotte specialises in high value real estate and particular examples of some of the work Charlotte has dealt with include, purchases, transfers of part, deeds of easement, bridging finance, transfers of equity and commercial property acquisitions. Charlotte is extremely approachable and adept at finding commercially sensible solutions to challenging transactions. Charlotte knows that whether you are buying your first home or a property for your business that the decisions you make can be difficult and clients often comment on her efficiency and ability to explain complex legal issues clearly.

Edward Pennington

Head of Private Client

T: 01483 521 597

E: Edward.Pennington@dpmlegal.co.uk

Edward qualified as a Solicitor in 2004 and since then has specialised in Wills, Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney, Tax and Non-contentious Court of Protection work. He joined DPM Legal in April 2021 from a large Guildford firm where he was head of department for the previous 8 years. Before that he also practiced in Farnham and Ash. Edward has often been praised by clients for his caring and conscientious approach and is flattered to be at a stage in his career where he is now advising the children (and sometimes grandchildren) of previous clients. Edward is a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), which is seen as the premier professional body for Wills and Estates practitioners and also of Solicitors for the Elderly. Outside of work Edward enjoys cricket, gardening, history and the writings of PG Wodehouse.

Isobel Turner (née Wooffitt)

Senior Solicitor

T: 01483 521 597

E: Isobel.Turner@dpmlegal.co.uk

Isobel joined DPM Legal in December 2019 in the Commercial Property department. Prior to this she trained and worked in Essex after completing her law degree at the University of Hertfordshire and LPC at De Montfort University. She qualified as a solicitor in June 2019. Isobel deals with a variety of commercial property transactions to include property sales and acquisitions and acting for landlords and tenants on commercial leases. Isobel regularly acts on behalf of pension schemes and enjoys finding practical solutions for clients. Outside of work Isobel enjoys travelling, going to the gym and spending time with her friends and family.

Melissa Walker

Solicitor (NZ qualified)

T: 01483 521 597

E: melissa.walker@dpmlegal.co.uk

having spent the previous 10 years living and working in New Zealand. Melissa has over 16 years of legal experience having spent the first 12 years of her career working for two top 100 law firms as a registered Licensed Conveyancer before moving to New Zealand where she initially practised as a registered Licensed Conveyancer before completing her law degree at Waikato University and professional legal studies course with IPLS NZ. Melissa completed her legal studies in October 2020 and was admitted to the bar in May 2021. Melissa's main experience has been in residential property law both in the UK and New Zealand. Whilst in the UK, Melissa spent time travelling to locations across Asia with developer clients assisting with onsite exchanges for the sale of leasehold flats. More recently in New Zealand, Melissa has worked on a wide variety of legal matters including wills, trusts, probate and estate administration, powers of attorney, property sharing agreements, occupation right agreements, landlord and tenant leases, term loan agreements, relationship property and contracting out agreements, asset protection, refinancing, court of protection work, family court attendance, financial assessment hearings and residential matters. Outside of work Melissa enjoys volunteering in her community, learning to play the piano, taking long walks with her dog and spending time with her family and friends. Melissa also has a strong interest in, and is building her knowledge of, the natural environment and how best to help protect and preserve it.

Sarah Watts

Head of Family Law

T: 01483 521 597

E: Sarah.Watts@dpmlegal.co.uk

Sarah is a senior Chartered Legal Executive who is head of our family department and has practiced exclusively in the field of Family Law for all her career. She has been qualified more than 15 years. Her caseload deals with all aspects of divorce and financial matters and includes cases with limited assets to high-net-worth cases with assets running in excess of £5 million. She has experience with pensions and how best to split these, particularly public sector pensions and Armed Forces Schemes, having worked in military towns for long periods. Sarah also deals with couples who are not married and are separating and pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. Sarah also has a keen interest in children work and helping couples resolve disputes about when each party should see their children and where those children should live. She has considerable experience in dealing with complex children cases, including removal from jurisdiction and change of residence cases and cases with complicating factors, including domestic abuse allegations. Sarah is also able to give advice and represent couples in relation to non-molestation and occupation orders and has worked with domestic abuse charities. Sarah works in a constructive and sympathetic manner to achieve a positive outcome for clients wherever possible and is a member of Resolution. She is a strong advocate of out of court resolution. However, if Court proceedings are needed, she undertakes much of her own advocacy in local Courts in Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire believing that such continuity for clients can be important and reassuring.

Tabitha Lee

Solicitor

T: 01483521597

E: tabitha.lee@dpmlegal.co.uk

Tabitha joined DPM Legal as a Solicitor in 2023 based in our Property department. Tabitha graduated from the University of Law in 2021 achieving first class honours and a distinction in her LPC LLM masters the following year. Tabitha is also on the Godalming Chambers of Commerce committee; she organises networking lunches and manages its social media platforms. Previously, Tabitha was on the Surrey Junior Lawyers committee. Outside of work, Tabitha enjoys playing Stoolball as captain of her team, walking and socialising with family and friends.

Sarah Gardner

Senior Lawyer

T: 01483 521 597

E: Sarah.Gardner@dpmlegal.co.uk

Sarah joined DPM Legal in 2018 and is one of the senior lawyers in the property department. Sarah qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2012 and has over 20 years’ experience working in conveyancing. Sarah has a wealth of experience and proven track record in handling a diverse range of residential property transactions. Sarah also acts on commercial sales, purchases and leases for pension scheme trustees. Outside of work, Sarah’s interests are horse riding and holidays!

Emily Rampton

Trainee Lawyer

T: 01483 521 597

E: Emily.Rampton@dpmlegal.co.uk

Emily is a Trainee Lawyer in the Family Team. Prior to this she trained and worked within the Hampshire/Surrey area following successful completion of her law degree (LLB Hons) from the University of Hertfordshire. Emily has recently gone on to become a Graduate Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and is currently working towards the final stage of becoming a Chartered Legal Executive. Emily has over 7 years’ experience in assisting exclusively on family matters to include applications for divorce, financial litigation, children and unmarried couple matters, family law act proceedings, as well as attendance at court hearings. Emily is an extremely compassionate trainee lawyer with a strong commitment to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of family law and has often been praised for her dedication to her work and achieving client satisfaction. Emily understands the emotional and legal challenges that clients face in family-related matters and is passionate about providing guidance and support during these difficult times. Outside of work, Emily loves to travel and to explore new countries and cultures. She enjoys spending time with her partner, family and friends and when time allows, is a keen swimmer and avid reader. Emily has previously volunteered with West and Central Hertfordshire YMCA Youth Group and was recognised for her commitment and dedication to the community having received a certificate and recognition from Hertfordshire Constabulary. She is an advocate for supporting mental health and wellbeing and has completed a course to become a Mental Health First Aid Champion. Emily also regularly participates in fundraising for charity and has most recently completed a 54km continuous Ultra Challenge hike in the Peak District for Refuge!

Tracy Donovan

Paralegal

T: 01483 521 597

E: Tracy.Donovan@dpmlegal.co.uk

Tracy joined DPM Legal in 2019. Tracy has gained 23 years of legal experience in London and Surrey working in property and family departments. Outside of work, Tracy’s interests are fitness classes, spending time with her family and borrowing a dog!

Laura Williams

Paralegal

T: 01483 521597

E: aura.williams@dpmlegal.co.uk

Laura is a Paralegal at DPM Legal working within the Residential and Commercial Property department. Laura graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a Scots Law LLB in 2018. She subsequently completed both a Graduate Diploma in Law and Masters in Law at the University of Law in Guildford. Prior to joining DPM Legal, Laura worked at a Legal 500 firm based in Surrey and Berkshire for two years where she gained experience in residential and commercial property, as well as family and matrimonial matters. Outside of work Laura leads a local running group and has recently completed the Surrey Half Marathon and Yorkshire Marathon.

Kirsty Elson

Paralegal

T:

E: kirsty.elson@dpmlegal.co.uk

Kirsty is a Paralegal at DPM Legal working within the Residential and Commercial Property department. Kirsty has over a decade of expertise in family and property law, specialising in property since 2011. Kirsty has achieved her level 3 Chartered Legal Executive exams and is working towards her level 6 exams, to get chartered status as a Legal Executive. Kirsty's commitment to her clients is evident in her meticulous approach and unwavering dedication to achieving favourable outcomes. In her spare time Kirsty likes to read and get out into the countryside walking.

Mandy Moore

Legal Secretary

T: 01483 521 597

E: mandy.moore@dpmlegal.co.uk

Mandy recently joined DPM Legal in the Family and Private Client departments. Mandy has over 20 years’ experience as a business support professional, specialising in the legal sector. Outside of work Mandy enjoys travelling, keeping fit, purchasing too many crystals and house plants, and spending time with her family, friends and amazing cat.

Ros Davidson

Consultant Legal Cashier

T: 01483 521 597

E: Ros.Davidson@dpmlegal.co.uk

Ros is a Consultant and heads the Accounts Department at DPM Legal. Ros deals with the financial side of the business and her work requires strict adherence to the Solicitors Regulation Authority's (SRAs) Account Rules. Ros has worked as a legal cashier for over 20 years, and she has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the industry. Outside of work Ros enjoys walking and holidays with her family.

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