meet the team - commercial disputes
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Tom Esler Tom Esler is a commercial litigation partner, based at Halesowen Commercial Centre Areas of expertise: He is a specialist litigator with vast experience in commercial dispute resolution and risk management. He has extensive mediation experience. He has represented parties in a wide range of disputes from straightforward contractual matters through to complex manufacturing disputes, warranty disputes and shareholder litigation. Primarily he acts for shareholders and directors of owner-managed businesses advising on all areas of company law, ecommerce, insolvency and intellectual property. Email: tom.esler@mfgsolicitors.com
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Suzanne Lee Suzanne Lee heads up the Litigation Division. She joined mfg Solicitors in 1997. She qualified in 1999, and became partner within the litigation division. Areas of expertise: For the past ten years Suzanne has worked in litigation with a brief interlude working in tax and trusts. Her specialist knowledge of the litigation field is a valuable asset to the firm and she has vast experience advising both commercial and private clients. Suzanne’s areas of expertise include professional negligence, contentious probate and commercial contract disputes. Membership of professional bodies and organisations: She is a membership to the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association and Law Society. And also a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists. |
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Norman Robertson-Smith Having qualified as a solicitor in 1977, Norman has been with mfg Solicitors since 1980 and is a partner in the civil litigation division based in Kidderminster. Areas of expertise: With extensive experience in the civil litigation arena, Norman is able to provide expert professional advice on the full spectrum of legal disputes. His particular areas of expertise include lawsuits relating to land and buildings, partnerships, professional negligence and contested probate. An expert in his field, Norman has encountered many County Court and High Court actions and completed a number of mediations throughout his legal career. He was also involved in taking a successful case to the European Court of Human Rights against the UK government in 1988. Norman previously managed the civil litigation at the firm’s Bromsgrove office for over ten years before subsequently moving to the Kidderminster branch. |
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Harjie Bindra Harjie Bindra is a partner in the litigation division based at Halesowen Commercial Centre. He has over extensive litigation experience and was head of civil litigation at both an office of a national firm and a reputable west midlands practice before joining mfg. Areas of expertise: With substantial dispute resolution experience, Harjie is able to assist both individuals and commercial organisations in a wide range of civil and commercial disputes. He is a specialist property litigator acting principally for commercial and residential landlords as well as commercial tenants. His experience includes dealing with contested lease renewals, lease termination, dilapidation claims, and actions for breach of covenants, possession claims and enforcement. Membership of professional bodies and organisations: Harjie is a member of the Property Litigation Association. |
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Kirsten Bridgewater A civil litigation associate, based at our Worcester Office, Kirsten Bridgewater joined mfg solicitors in 2007. Areas of expertise: Kirsten represents parties in a wide spectrum of legal disputes with particular expertise in property litigation together with a niche practice in rural disputes. Happily advising agricultural, commercial and private clients alike, Kirsten has extensive experience in dispute resolution whether by ADR, Court or Tribunal actions. Membership of professional bodies and organisations: Kirsten is a member of the Property Litigation Association; and the Agricultural Law Association. She has also spoken at a number of seminars and training events on property litigation matters and takes the lead in many of the division’s marketing activities. |
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Chris Stanley Chris Stanley has been a solicitor for over 30 years specialising in litigation for most of that time. Areas of expertise: He is now a Consultant but was a Partner in the Firm for over 20 years during which time he was head of the Litigation Division for a number of years. He has extensive knowledge of all aspects of litigation and disputes both for individuals and Companies. His particular specialities are claims for personal injury accident and compensation, claims against Doctors, hospitals and other medical bodies, criminal injury claims, fatal accidents and inquests. Membership of professional bodies and organisations: He is a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Specialists Panel. |
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Samuel Pedley Sam Pedley joined the department upon qualification in September 2009 having trained with the firm. Areas of expertise: Sam’s practice areas cover a broad range of commercial and civil litigation matters. He has experience in commercial dispute resolution, breach of contract, sale of goods claims, debt recovery, professional negligence and property disputes. He is also significantly involved in insolvency and bankruptcy work. Sam emphasises the need to work closely with clients in developing and maintaining a significant rapport, ensuring they receive clear, robust and pragmatic commercial advice. Interests: Sam attempts to keep a balance in life between his academic and non academic interests. While he enjoys all sports, he plays rugby union for Dudley Kingswinford RFC and has represented the County in various age groups. His interest in rugby extends further to being a keen supporter of Worcester Warriors RFC. He also enjoys the occasional game of football, round of golf and attends the gym on a regular basis. For his sins he is also a qualified football referee. He has therefore subsequently obtained much practice in the art of persuasion and encouraging conformity. |
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Robert Weston Robert Weston, who joined mfg in April 2010, is a partner in the litigation division based at Kidderminster. He also heads the firm’s contentious probate department. Areas of expertise: Robert has more than 20 years’ experience in civil litigation, having litigated in all courts up to and including the House of Lords. He has also been involved in high profile and multi-party litigation. His particular area of expertise is contentious probate and claims made under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. He acts for trust corporations and individuals and receives recommendations from other solicitors as a recognised expert in this area of law. Membership of professional bodies and organisations: Robert is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists. Interests: His interests include family, photography, motor racing, cooking and gardening. |
