Partners

B.M. Crawford LLB

Barry has been the Senior Partner of the firm for 10 years now, during which time the firm has increased in size. Originally from Dudley in the West Midlands (hence his regular visits to watch Aston Villa play at Villa Park) he has been with the firm since 1971 and is committed to Essex and the County Cricket Club, of which he is currently an elected member of the Commitee.

He specialises in family law, including care proceedings, and is a member of the Family Law Society Children and Advanced Family Panels, as well as a Resolution accredited specialist in matrimonial finances and children matters. He sits as a Tribunal Judge for the Appeals Service and is a trained Mediator. He is married and has three grown up sons, a grandson and a golden Labrador.

barry.crawford@hill-abbott.co.uk

R.J. Blythe BA

Richard has been with the firm since 1987 and is currently Managing Partner. He has over 20 years' experience practising all aspects of family law and is a member of the Law Society's Advanced Family Law Panel. Richard is Vice Chairman of the Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau's Trustee Board. He counts amongst his vices Colchester United and Real Ale!

richard.blythe@hill-abbott.co.uk

J.M. Melvin BA

Michael is a partner in the firm and heads up the Conveyancing Team. He has practised in this area of law for a considerable number of years and has a wealth of experience. Michael enjoys playing golf when his busy schedule allows and is becoming a connoisseur in the art of wine tasting! He has three grown up children.

michael.melvin@hill-abbott.co.uk

A.A.J. Royle BA

Julian is a partner in the firm and has been practising Commercial Law for over 20 years. He has a wealth of experience in this field. He is currently Chairman of the Chelmsford Solicitors Group and is an active member of Business Network International. He is married with three young daughters and is a keen sailor when time allows.

julian.royle@hill-abbott.co.uk

J.M.H. Newson LLB

Our Personal Injury Team is headed by Partner Jeremy Newson. Jeremy has extensive experience acting for both defendants and claimants in Personal Injury claims. He now concentrates solely on claimants. In recent years he has developed close links with Poland, and this firm now acts for many Polish clients.

Jeremy travels extensively all over the UK and Europe taking instructions from severely injured clients and their families.

Jeremy is a committed advocate and represents families at Coroners' Inquests. He has also appeared in open court in Poland to assist in determining multiple guardianship applications under Polish law. He made representations on behalf of a client who is in a persistent vegetative state.

jeremy.newson@hill-abbott.co.uk

R.T. Clarke LLB

Ronald is the head of Hill & Abbott’s Employment Law Department. He started his legal career in 1981 and spent 24 years dealing with cases on behalf of Trade Union members before joining Hill & Abbott in 2005. Ronald specialises in Personal Injury and Employment Law. He has a particular interest in the Law relating to workplace injuries, unfair dismissal, discrimination at work, redundancy, equal pay claims and TUPE disputes. Ronald also drafts and advises in relation to employment contracts. More recently he has developed an interest in bullying, harassment, victimisation and stress related claims.

Ronald is happy to advise both employers and employees in relation to their rights, obligations and liabilities in all aspects of personal injury and employment law.

Since starting at Hill & Abbott Ronald has used is expertise to secure substantial damages for many of his clients.

ronald.clarke@hill-abbott.co.uk

A.J. Sewell LLB TEP

Angela became a Partner in 2008 after training and qualifing as a solicitor in August 2002. She joined the very active Private Client Department in order to pursue her career. Since qualification, Angela has specialised in this area and is a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

angela.sewell@hill-abbott.co.uk

Richard Penn

Richard has over 15 years experience in Personal Injury Law and Civil Litigation. He joined Hill & Abbott in 2008 having spent the previous 10 years heading the Personal Injury department of a central London law firm.

Richard deals with a range of litigious work which includes substantial personal injury claims, clinical negligence, professional negligence claims against solicitors, accountants and surveyors, property disputes and contractual claims. Richard acts for many of his clients through legal expenses insurers.

He is married with 2 children and enjoys skiing, golf and football in his spare time. He is also a long suffering Spurs fan.

richard.penn@hill-abbott.co.uk