The Partners & Staff
Bernadette Summers
Managing Partner – Wills, Probate and Trusts
[email protected]
Berni joined JWS in 1995 with a management background, she qualified in business and legal accounts in 1997 and became a partner in April 2012. She manages and runs all administrative departments of JWS including Accounts, ICT, HR, Marketing and Compliance, allowing her other partners to concentrate on their various aspects of the law so as to provide a more efficient service to their clients.
Berni is also experienced in Wills, Estate administration, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and all associated private client matters. She is well known for her extremely down to earth and approachable manner and her ability to explain legal complex matters in a straightforward way ensuring her clients are kept informed and comfortable throughout the whole process.
Mark Drasdo
Partner – Wills, Probate and Trusts
[email protected]
Mark qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and joined JWS in September 2013 and became a partner in January 2017. He has been a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners since 2002 and has many years of experience dealing with Wills, Estate administration, Powers of Attorney, and all associated private client matters.
Hayley Smith
Partner – Wills, Probate and Trusts
[email protected]
Hayley qualified as a solicitor in January 2012 and joined JWS in March 2014 and became a partner in February 2022. Hayley is experienced in Wills, Estate administration, Powers of Attorney, Trusts and all associated private client matters. Hayley is known for her particular empathy when dealing with elderly and vulnerable clients and appreciates much of the work she deals with on behalf of her clients can be particularly sensitive and emotive. As such, she tries to make the process as simple and as straightforward as possible.
Jeremy Briars
Solicitor – Commercial Property and Company
[email protected]
Jeremy qualified as a solicitor in 1976 and joined JWS in July 2012 having been in practice, for a number of years in the West Midlands. He has extensive experience of all types of commercial property including sales, acquisitions, leasing, property developments and funding as well as residential conveyancing. He also undertakes general commercial and corporate work.
Kenneth Skinner
Salaried Partner – Domestic Property
[email protected]
Kenneth qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and worked as a property lawyer until 2009. Kenneth then worked outside of the law until joining John Welch and Stammers in April 2015 and became a partner in January 2024. Kenneth has extensive experience in all aspects of residential sales, purchases and mortgages.
Sarah Dark
Solicitor – Commercial and Residential Property
[email protected]
Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2004. After working for a number of years as a locum for many firms in Oxfordshire including ourselves, we persuaded her to permanently join our conveyancing team in February 2023. Sarah has extensive experience of all types of commercial property including sales, acquisitions, leasing, property developments and funding as well as all aspects of residential conveyancing including sales, purchases, re-mortgages, shared ownership, retirement and new-build properties.
Claire Bennell
Conveyancing Assistant – domestic property
[email protected]
Claire joined JWS in 2002 and worked as a secretary in the Property Department until July 2006 when she began her training to become a Chartered Legal Executive. After some time, Claire decided that she preferred a supporting role within the conveyancing department rather than a fee earning role so she now provides administrative support to the other fee earners within her department. She has experience in residential sales, purchases and re-mortgages.
Russell Jinks
Solicitor – Civil Dispute Resolution
[email protected]
Russell qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and practised in South London, where he had his own legal practice, until moving to Oxfordshire in 2001. Russell joined JWS in 2011 and now handles a variety of civil disputes particularly commercial or contractual disputes, land, property or landlord and tenant disputes and contentious probate or inheritance disputes. Russell also provides independent legal advice on settlement agreements terminating employment contracts and other important legal obligations such as guarantees. He has substantial experience in dealing with unusual and complex cases, is an experienced negotiator and regularly uses alternative dispute resolution such as mediation as a commercial alternative to court proceedings. Russell aims to achieve the best solution for his client in the most cost effective way.
Uma Seenath
Solicitor – Family Law
[email protected]
Uma is a family law specialist solicitor dealing with a wide range of family issues including divorce, separation, financial and child related issues. Uma understands that dealing with any family legal action can be daunting and emotionally challenging. She will assess your issues, explore the most appropriate way of resolving them, and advise on the process involved at each stage. She will also provide practical and cost-effective advice on all levels of complexity to enable you to choose the options suitable to your requirements.
As a member of Resolution Uma follows a code of practice that promotes a constructive approach to family issues and considers the needs of the whole family, in particular, the best interests of the children. She conducts family matters in a non-confrontational way whilst protecting her client’s interests. This may include negotiation of commencement of court proceedings to achieve your desired outcome. Uma aims to minimise conflict wherever possible taking into account practical considerations. She will equally take a robust stance on behalf of her clients so as to ensure that the best result is achieved.