Meet our Authors

Marcella has worked in private practice for over 20 years, running a mid-sized, multi-office high street firm for 13 of them. Specialising in residential property law, practice management, and private client work, she brings a wealth of practical experience and insight to our publications.

Marcella enjoys working with others, enabling them to reach their potential in supportive and positive environments. She loves the law and writes about it in practical ways so other practitioners can enjoy practice more.

As Managing Editor, Marcella oversees all By Lawyers publications.

Qualifying as a solicitor in 1991, Louise has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of residential and commercial conveyancing, with expertise in leasehold conveyancing, lease extensions, and associated transactions.

Louise first worked with By Lawyers as a contributing author and joined us as a senior editor after retiring from private practice. She has a particularly strong focus on practical communication and a desire to assist other practitioners in getting the job done.

Louise applies her vast practical experience to all By Lawyers publications.

Pete was called to the Bar in 1998 and has a master’s degree in Commercial Law from Bristol University. He has worked with leading legal publishers in writing, editing, and developing legal content across all areas of law and various jurisdictions.

Initially a reporter in the Chancery courts of the Royal Courts of Justice, Pete specialised in writing on civil law matters, including specialist tax materials and commercial, company, and insolvency materials.

Pete brings his in-depth knowledge to deliver By Lawyers publications and resources to practitioners.

Keith has worked in the legal profession since 1988, first as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, then as a solicitor, and later qualifying as a Higher Courts Advocate (Criminal) in 2007.

A qualified duty solicitor and Serious Fraud panel supervisor, Keith continues to give advice at the police station, appears regularly in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts, and has been an advocate in High Court appeals on several occasions.

Keith has contributed to the Sale and Purchase of Business and Criminal publications.

Craig qualified as a Solicitor in 1996 and has both an Undergraduate and a Master's degree in Law from Nottingham University.

He has extensive experience and knowledge in private client law, including tax, trusts, estate administration, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection work, and will drafting.

A member of the Solicitors for the Elderly, Craig is a qualified specialist in asset protection, care provision through the local authority or NHS funding, tax, trusts, and Mental Health Act implications for the elderly.

Craig has contributed to the Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Estates publications.

Claudia Francois is a solicitor with her own practice in London. She has extensive experience in a range of criminal defence matters, including murder, drug offences, and traffic cases.

An experienced litigator and advocate who regularly defends clients at trial in the Magistrates’ Court, Claudia has a reputation as a formidable representative within her client target area. She is also a qualified supervising solicitor and respected criminal defence trainer.

Claudia has contributed to the Criminal publication.

Andrew is the Director and Principal Solicitor at Tann Law Solicitors Ltd and a past President of the Warwickshire Law Society. Andrew has an extensive legal background in immigration, family, business, employment, and human rights law.

Andrew was admitted as a legal practitioner, Notary Public, and conveyancer in Zimbabwe in 2000 and worked as a legal practitioner before coming to the UK. He was admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2012, holds a Bachelor of Law (Honours) degree, and is qualified under the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme as a Level 2 senior caseworker.

Andrew has contributed to the Immigration publication.

Belinda is a family law solicitor who advises clients on a wide range of private family law matters, including divorce, cohabitation breakdown, and child arrangements. 

Belinda is the current Chair of the South Wales Resolution regional committee and a member of the Resolution national level Standards committee. Keen to promote the use of appropriate and accessible language in family law, she is a member of the Family Law Language project.

Belinda has contributed to the Family Law publication.

Samantha is a qualified solicitor and Certified Information Privacy Management accredited Data Protection Officer with extensive knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation and international privacy and data protection laws.

Samantha has experience in providing advice to both public and private sector organisations on implementing data protection compliance programmes. She is passionate about making data protection more accessible to individuals by breaking down communication barriers and empowering them to manage personal data effectively.

Samantha has contributed to the Data Protection publication.

Maria is the owner and senior partner at Burtons Solicitors. She specialises in private client work and provides advice on wills, estate administration, equity release, creation and administration of trusts, declarations of trust, powers of attorney, and Court of Protection matters.

Maria has contributed to the Conveyancing and Property publications.

Specialising in residential property transactions, including leasehold, newbuild, and shared ownership, Julie has worked in small practices for over 20 years and is passionate about delivering excellence in conveyancing services.

Julie has contributed to the Conveyancing and Property publications.

Louise founded Evolve Family Law with Robin Charrot in 2015. She has worked as a specialist family lawyer for over 22 years, including 8 years as a partner at 2 of the leading law firms in the North West.

With expertise in children's issues arising from relationship breakdown, contact, living arrangements, and UK and international relocation, Louise provides calm, firm, and pragmatic guidance in family law matters.

Louise has contributed to the Family Law publication.

Robin founded Evolve Family Law with Louise Halford in 2015 and has worked as a specialist family lawyer for over 20 years. He has more than 10 years of experience in nuptial agreements, and lectures in this area. He takes a practical and proactive approach to family law, seeking to achieve the best long-term solutions for his clients and their families.

Robin has contributed to the Family Law publication.

Chris is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. He specialises in residential property transactions, including the sale and purchase of freehold or leasehold property, new build home sale and purchase, shared ownership transactions, re-mortgage, and lease variation and extension. Chris has a reputation for providing practical and outcome-focused advice.

Chris has contributed to the Conveyancing and Property publications.

A member of the Family Law Bar Association, Kate practises family law, predominantly in public law care and private law child arrangement cases. She undertakes ancillary relief work and is interested in the wider scope of family matters, including cohabitation disputes, education law, Inheritance Act claims, and Court of Protection work.

Kate was appointed as a Deputy District Judge on the Wales Circuit in July 2024. She also sits as a fee paid judge in the Mental Health Tribunal for England.

Called to the Bar in 2003 Kate is a member of 9 Park Place Chambers, Cardiff.

Kate has contributed to the Care Proceedings publication.

A general practice lawyer for over 50 years, Guy is also highly experienced in business and is the co-founder of By Lawyers Global Publishing. As the original author of many By Lawyers publications, he is one of the most widely read legal authors in Australia and maintains active oversight of all By Lawyers publications.

Guy’s extensive legal and commercial experience is reflected in the practical, client-oriented focus that is the hallmark of By Lawyers.

Danni developed her management and communications skills in merchant banking and journalism before co-founding By Lawyers Global Publishing. A ground-breaking online publisher and talented legal author, Danni has contributed to many By Lawyers publications. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a law degree.

Danni managed a busy legal practice – an experience that drove her desire to make the practice of law more enjoyable.

Paul’s experience working in small law firms helps him to bring a practical focus to his role at By Lawyers. Paul is focused on the needs of the profession and helping lawyers enjoy practice more.

Paul is responsible for overseeing By Lawyers’ day-to-day operations.

Kate has extensive experience in a general practice law firm. After qualifying as a licensed conveyancer in 2005, she completed the LPAB and was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2014. Kate is passionate about delivering industry-leading content for law firms.

Having been with By Lawyers since the beginning, Kate works closely with our software developers, leveraging technology to improve delivery and user experience while staying ahead of industry trends in legal publishing.