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 those years. She specialised in residential property law and practice management, with a good grounding in 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 writing about it in practical ways so that other practitioners can enjoy practice more.

As Managing Editor UK, Marcella oversees all By Lawyers publications.

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

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

As Senior Editor UK, Louise applies her vast practical experience to all By Lawyers publications.

Pete was called to the Bar in 1998 and has a Masters in Commercial Law from Bristol University. He has worked with leading legal publishers writing, editing and developing legal content across all areas of law and various jurisdictions. Initially writing as a reporter in the Chancery courts of the Royal Courts of Justice, Pete specialised in writing on civil law matters, including specialist tax materials, commercial, company and insolvency materials.

As Legal Editor UK, Pete brings his in-depth knowledge to deliver By Lawyers publications and resources to practitioners.

Keith has worked in the legal profession since 1988, qualifying as a Fellow of the institute of Legal Executives before becoming a Solicitor and then later qualifying as a Higher Courts Advocate (Criminal) in 2007. Keith is a qualified Duty Solicitor and Serious Fraud panel supervisor. Keith continues to give advice at the police station, appears regularly in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court and has appeared on a number of occasions as the advocate in High Court Appeals. Publications he has contributed to include Criminal, Sale and Purchase of Business & Franchise.

Craig qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and has an undergraduate and masters degree in Law from Nottingham University. He has extensive experience in private client law including tax, trusts, administration of estates, lasting powers of attorney, court of protection work and will drafting. As a member of the ‘Solicitors for the Elderly’, he is a qualified specialist in asset protection, care provision through local authority or NHS funding, tax, trusts and Mental Health Act implications for the elderly. Publications he has contributed to include Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Estates.

Claudia Francois is a solicitor with her own practice in London. She has extensive experience in a range of criminal defence matters ranging through murder, drugs offences and traffic cases. She is an experienced litigator and advocate who regularly defends clients at trial in the Magistrates Court. Claudia has built a reputation as a formidable representative within her client target area.

Claudia is also a qualified supervising solicitor and a respected criminal defence trainer. Publications she has contributed to include Criminal.

Andrew Nyamayaro is the director and principal solicitor at Tann Law Solicitors Ltd. He is the current President of the Warwickshire Law Society. Andrew is experienced in several areas of law including immigration, family, business, employment, civil litigation, and human rights law. He was admitted as a legal practitioner, Notary Public and Conveyancer in Zimbabwe in 2000 and worked there as a legal practitioner before coming to the UK. He was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2012. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Law Honours degree and is qualified under the Law Society Immigration & Asylum Accreditation Scheme as a Level 2 senior caseworker. Andrew has worked on the By Lawyers Immigration guides.

Belinda is a family law solicitor who advises clients across the spectrum of private family law matters including divorce, cohabitation breakdown and children arrangements. She is an active member of the committee for the South Wales branch of Resolution: First for Family Law. Belinda has contributed to our family law guides.

Samantha is a qualified solicitor and Certified Information Privacy Management accredited Data Protection Officer with extensive knowledge of General Data Protection Regulation and international privacy and data protection laws. Experienced in providing compliance advice to both public and private sector organisations around the implementation of data protection compliance programmes, Samantha is passionate about making data protection more accessible to individuals by breaking down the barriers of communication ensuring people feel empowered to manage personal data effectively. Samantha has contributed to our Data Protection guide.

Maria is the owner and senior partner at Burtons Solicitors. She has three offices across Kent who specialise in residential and commercial conveyancing, family law and debt collection. Maria specialises in private client work and provides advice for wills, estate administration, equity release, creation and administration of trusts, declarations of trust, powers of attorney and court of protection matters. She also facilitates free seminars within the local communities and is an Alzheimer’s Society recognised Dementia Champion. Publications Maria has contributed to include Conveyancing and Property.

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. Publications Julie has contributed to include Conveyancing and Property.

Louise founded Evolve Family Law with Robin Charrot in 2015. Louise has worked as a specialist family lawyer for over 22 years, including 8 years as a partner at two of the leading law firms in the North West. She has particular expertise in children issues arising from relationship breakdown, contact and living arrangements, UK and international relocation and so on. Louise provides calm, firm and pragmatic guidance in family law matters. Publications she has contributed to include Family Law.

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

Chris is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, specialising in residential property transactions of all types including the sale and purchase of freehold or leasehold property, new build home sale and purchase, shared ownership transactions, re-mortgage, lease variation and extension. Chris boasts an ever growing reputation for providing practical and outcome focused advice. Publications Chris has contributed to include Conveyancing and Property.

A member of the Family Law Bar Association, Kate practises in family law, predominantly in public law care cases and private law child arrangement cases. She undertakes ancillary relief work and has an interest in the wider scope of family matters including cohabitation disputes, education law, Inheritance Act claims and Court of Protection work. Kate was educated at Risca Comprehensive School and Gwent College of Further Education before going on to study at the University of Oxford and Cardiff University. She was called to the Bar in 2003 and is a member of 9 Park Place Chambers, Cardiff. Kate has contributed to our Care Proceedings guide.

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

Guy has read, written and collaborated on every UK publication.

Danni developed her management and communications skills in merchant banking and journalism before co-founding By Lawyers Global Publishing. Apart from being a ground-breaking online publisher she is also a talented legal author. Danni holds a Master of Business Administration as well as her conveyancing licence, and she is a third-year law student. She has also managed a busy legal practice - an experience which drives her desire to make the practice of law more enjoyable.

Danni has worked closely with the UK authors on publications in Family Law, Wills, Powers and Estates, Business, Criminal and Practice Management.

Kate has extensive experience as a licensed conveyancer and property lawyer. Kate is passionate about delivering industry leading content for law firms.

Kate has worked closely with Julie Hulyer and Louise Thomas on the UK property publications.

A NSW solicitor since 1994, Brad completed a corporate management traineeship before more than 20 years in private and government legal practice, including as a partner, director, and consultant. After 10 years as a contributing author, Brad joined By Lawyers full time in January 2018.

Brad has worked closely with Keith Betts and Claudia Francois to produce Criminal Law.

Before joining the By Lawyers team Doug practised as a litigation, commercial and property lawyer. Highly client focused and commercial, Doug has contributed to By Lawyers publications including Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and Superannuation, Wills and Estates, and Litigation.

Keleigh is an experienced and widely regarded family law specialist located in Australia and occasionally Ukraine she holds a Masters of Applied Law (Family Law). She has been Chair of the Law Institute of Victoria Junior Family Lawyers Committee as well as a member of their Family Law Executive and the Maintenance and Property Committees. Keleigh has worked with UK authors on the Family Law publications.

Russell is a renowned lawyer, specialising in all aspects of property law and conveyancing. He authored the Law Institute of Victoria’s Ethics Handbook, writes a monthly column in the Law Institute Journal. Russell worked with UK authors on Practice Management and ethics.

Greg is an accredited specialist in Business and Personal Tax. Greg advises clients on business restructuring, taxes including income and capital gains, stamp duties, pay roll tax and land tax. He also handles tax disputes including Project Wickenby matters, superannuation, asset protection planning, estate planning. Greg worked with UK authors on the Companies, trusts and partnerships publications.