Meet our Team
Hashmita Patel
Hashmita is a Director. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2009, specialising in Criminal Defence Work. She conducts trials in the Magistrates Court, attends the Police Station as Duty Solicitor and she prepares Crown Court cases. Hashmita has previously dealt with cases all over England and has worked in Manchester and London. She is fluent in Gujarati. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, cooking and reading.
Stephanie Brownlees
Stephanie is a Consultant Solicitor. She is a Duty Solicitor, who qualified in 2004. Stephanie practises Criminal Defence and Prison Law, supervising our Prison Law Department and specialising in Lifer Parole Hearings In her spare time, she enjoys running, yoga and spending time with her family.
John Deeley
John qualified as a Solicitor in 1973. He became a Duty Solicitor in 1974 and a Solicitor-Advocate (Criminal Proceedings) in 2003. He specialises in Crime and has operated at Partner, Consultant or Head of Department level throughout his long career. He holds a 1st Class Honours degree together with an MA in Legal Practice. Outside the law, he keeps fit by running and playing 5 a side football together with chasing after his 7 grandchildren.
Sue Booker
Sue is our Office and Compliance Manager. Sue has a background in legal aid compliance and auditing, having worked in both public sector (Public Defender Service and LSC) and private practice. She is responsible for audits to include SQM; Lexcel; peer review and costs compliance and she undertakes our bookkeeping. In her spare time, Sue enjoys UK holidays with her dogs, Agatha Christie books and family time, testing real ale.
Jess Grosvenor
Jess is a Legal Executive who is police station accredited. She represents clients who are under investigation by the police, DWP, Environment Agency, HMRC and the RSPCA. Jess represents people before the Parole Board and before the Outside Adjudicator for Adjudications. Her hobbies include clay pigeon shooting, running, weight lifting and she runs an animal rescue sanctuary that takes in turkeys, ducks and chickens.
Laura Gray
Laura is a Trainee Paralegal. She takes instructions from clients, prepares cases for trial in the Magistrates Court and also prepares our Crown Court work. Her hobbies include listening to music and watching television.
Laura Owen
Laura is a Prison Law Consultant primarily working in the North-West although she does have clients around the country. Laura has expert knowledge and vast experience in all aspects of prison law. She has a particular interest in assisting life sentenced and IPP prisoners who are well past their tariff expiry dates and appear stuck in the system. Laura also regularly represents prisoners at Independent Adjudications and has an extensive knowledge of prison regulations and rules to assist those charges with breaching prison rules.