About Hattens Solicitors Limited

Samantha LynchSenior Director

Samantha Lynch is the Senior Partner of the firm. Samantha was admitted as a Solicitor in November 2002 and joined the firm in July 2002. Samantha became a partner in 2015. Samantha is the Head of the Family department and a member of Resolution (Formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association). Samantha has a wide and varied knowledge of all areas of family law from resolving disputes relating to children to resolving financial issues between co-habitees. Samantha also undertakes work relating to all areas of family breakdown, financial matters stemming from divorce and special guardianships. Samantha specialises in domestic abuse, private and public law children work. Samantha is a Family Law and Children Law panel accredited specialist. Samantha’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Kelly DulieuFinance Director & Practice Manager

Kelly Dulieu is the Practice & Finance Manager of the firm with responsibility for the efficient and effective administration of the practice. Kelly joined the firm in November 2015 and is a member of the ILFM (The Institute of Legal Finance & Management). Since joining the firm Kelly has undertaken training to take on the role of COFA (Compliance Officer for Finance & Administration). Kelly comes from a financial background, having worked in the finance sector for over 20 years. Kelly’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Leonie AdamsDirector

Leonie Adams is a Salaried Partner of the firm. Leonie qualified as a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2007 and joined the firm in 2017. Leonie was promoted to Salaried partner in November 2018. Leonie is the Head of the Wills and Probate department and a member of STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners). Leonie also undertakes residential conveyancing work. Leonie’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Nasheela AliSolicitor

Nasheela graduated from Middlesex University in 2010 with a LLB (Hons) qualification.  She completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law (formerly known as College of Law) in 2012.

Nasheela qualified in England and Wales and was admitted on the Solicitors Roll in August 2016. She joined Hattens Solicitors as an Assistant Solicitor in the Family Department in December 2020 and specialises in Family Law, with vast experience in Immigration Law. She is a member of a specialist family law practitioner’s organisation, Resolution.

Nasheela deals with matters of both straightforward and complex cases, i.e. divorce, cohabitation, financial remedy and issues concerning children including matters under the Legal Aid Agency.

Nasheela is very passionate and aims to strive to provide timely and rational advice throughout to ensure that the best outcome is achieved as early as possible.

Nasheela’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 16.00pm.

Jennie JackmanSolicitor

Jennie Jackman is a Solicitor of the firm. Jennie was admitted as a solicitor in August 2000 and joined the firm in March 2022. Jennie works within the Conveyancing departments, undertaking all matters of residential conveyancing. Jennie has worked locally having been a partner and director in local firms and has gained a great deal of experience over the last 22 years in residential conveyancing. Jennie’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.30am – 14.30pm.

Vanda MercerMatrimonial Executive

Vanda Mercer is a Matrimonial Executive within the Family department. Vanda joined the firm in August 2016. Vanda has over 30 years’ experience in family cases and is widely know in the Thurrock area for her friendly and practical approach to resolving family disputes. Vanda acts for clients in divorce, child arrangement orders and financial disputes. Vanda was a former Chair of Thurrock Women’s Aid and regularly deals with non-molestation and occupation order applications. Vanda’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Richard JacksonProperty Conveyancer

Richard Jackson is a Property Conveyancer within the Conveyancing department, undertaking all matters of residential and commercial conveyancing. Richard joined the firm in November 2019. Richard is a Legal Executive with over 30 years’ experience in the conveyancing field. Richard specialises in landlord and tenant development and commercial property transactions. Rcichard’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Sonia NijjarProperty Conveyancer

Sonia is a Property Conveyancer and has vast experience in handling all aspects of residential conveyancing. Sonia graduated with a Business Law Degree and is completing her qualification with Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.  Her portfolio of clients includes first time buyers, international clientele, city professionals, investors and high net worth individuals and companies. Sonia thrives to provide bespoke and personalised service for clients who are either purchasing their first home or who are moving or relocating to larger properties regionally.

Sonia’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Kirsty HunterParalegal

Kirsty is a Trainee Solicitor within the family law department working closely with Claire Crooks and assisting Samantha Lynch. Kirsty graduated from London Metropolitan University in 2019 with an upper second class LLB (hons) qualification. Kirsty went on to complete her Legal Practice course and holds a Master  degree in law.

Kirsty’s working hours are Monday – Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Claire CrooksParalegal

Claire Crooks is a Paralegal within the Family department. Claire joined the firm in March 2007 as a Legal Secretary and completed the Family Resolution Law Assistant Certificate in February 2011. Claire then passed her CLT Specialist Paralegal Qualification in Family Law in August 2015. Claire assists Samantha Lynch in all aspects of work within the Family department. Claire also looks after all Legal Aid applications and administration. Claire’s working hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Joanne DrakeParalegal

Jo is a Paralegal within our Private Client department.  Jo joined the firm in November 2015 as a receptionist before becoming a Legal Secretary and then passed her CLT Specialist Paralegal Qualification in Civil Litigation in January 2024. Jo also assists other partners and fee earners in other departments.  Jo’s working hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am – 17:00pm.

Hayley AntoineParalegal

Hayley Antoine is a Paralegal within the Wills & Probate department. Hayley joined the firm in October 2011 as a Legal Secretary and passed her CLT Specialist Paralegal Qualification in Wills & Probate in January 2017. Hayley assists Leonie Adams in all aspects of work within the Wills & Probate department. Hayley also assists other partners and fee earners in other departments. Hayleys’s working hours are Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 09.00am – 17.00pm.

Rachel PerkinsCosts Lawyer

Rachel Perkins is a Costs Lawyer within the Family department. Rachel joined the firm in February 2001. Rachel is a member of the Association of Costs Lawyers. Rachel has worked in legal costs since 1991 and has practised cost law since 2000. Rachel became an Associate Member of the Association of Law Costs Draftsmen (as it was then) in 2007, a Fellow in 2009 and a Costs Lawyer in 2011.  Rachel has experience of most types of legal costs and specialises in Legal Aid Work. Rachels’s working hours are Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 09.00am – 17.00pm.