Upon leaving my position with Proctor & Gamble I joined Smith & Graham as a trainee solicitor.

Following qualification as a solicitor I was invited into partnership in 1981. At that time the practice had recently established a Criminal Justice Department of which I was appointed Head. Under my direction the department has expanded to become one of the largest criminal law departments in the region.

In 1997 I succeeded former partners Michael Graham and David Keating to become senior partner of the firm and now head a team of nearly 20 lawyers operating in all areas of law. Smith & Graham provides employment to around sixty staff in total.

In addition to my professional work I have overall responsibility for the management, general administration and strategic planning of the firm and have three managers reporting to me.

I have individual responsibility for all staffing issues involving complaints and disciplinary matters and I chair all internal hearings which may arise in accordance with the firm's procedures.

I have experience in most areas of the law but I am best known for my work in the courts. I have a wealth of judicial experience gathered from my work in the Magistrates and the Crown Courts and the many tribunals I have appeared before. I have experience of chairing a school admissions appeal panel.

I am a director of Stepping Stones Mediation Ltd, an associated company providing mediation and alternative dispute resolution services throughout the North-East.

Education