Our Team - Solicitors

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David Hayward

Profile:

Name: David Hayward
Location: 2 Waterside Way
Services: Property Law
Email: david.hayward@dfalaw.co.uk

 

Background Information

David was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand in 1984. After emigrating to the UK he worked in London for some years and joined DFA Law in 2001.

Throughout his legal career David has worked exclusively in the property field dealing with both commercial and residential matters.

Recent matters include:

• acquisition,disposal and leasing of a variety of industrial and retail units
• acquisition of development land and plot sales for local developers
• buying and selling freehold and leasehold properties

Away from the office David is a keen sports fan. Having represented the Otago provincial side at rugby union whilst a student David now follows rugby, football and cricket from the comfort of the stand or armchair and plays golf.

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Jayne Kitchen

Profile:

Name: Jayne Kitchen
Location: 6 Cheyne Walk
Services: Family Law
Email: jayne.kitchen@dfalaw.co.uk

 

Background Information

Jayne joined the firm in 2003 shortly after qualifying as a Solicitor. Jane is a member of our Family Law team and deals with a varied case load of largely legal aid matters.

Prior to obtaining her Law degree at de Montfort University, Leicester, Jayne worked as a qualified nurse and midwife in several NHS hospitals.

Jayne has two children and spends much of her spare time keeping up with their out of school activities.

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Rebecca Walker

Profile:

Name: Rebecca Walker
Location: 6 Cheyne Walk
Services: Private Client
Email: rebecca.walker@dfalaw.co.uk

 

 

Background Information

Rebecca joined the firm in 2003 as a Paralegal Assistant and undertook her training contract with the firm, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2005.

As a member of our private client team Rebecca deals with wills, the administration of estates, lasting powers of attorney, registrations of enduring powers of attorney and court of protection matters - she is known for her friendly and approachable manner. Rebecca gives talks locally on legal issues to consider on retirement.

In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and pets, playing acoustic guitar, visiting the cinema and socialising with friends.

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Gary Lee

Profile:

Name: Gary Lee
Location: 2 Waterside Way
Services: Employment Law
Email: gary.lee@dfalaw.co.uk

 

 

Background Information

Gary joined the DFA team in 2006 having spent the previous three years practising in Birmingham as an assistant solicitor in the employment department at a top 60 law firm.

Gary is experienced in advising both individual claimant employees and small private limited companies in a wide range of contentious areas such as unfair dismissal, redundancy, working time regulations, flexible working arrangements, discrimination law, restrictive covenants and TUPE.

In addition Gary also has experience of acting for large UK based companies including hotel chains and construction companies, negotiating director exit packages, advising HR management teams in SMEs and appearing before employment tribunals and the employment appeal tribunal on behalf of clients.

Recent experience includes:

• successfully defended an unlawful deduction from wages claim, which was brought as a test case on behalf of 80 employees
• drafting employment contracts, policies and procedures
• presented seminars on employment law legislation including the Human Rights Act 1998, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 and more recently, the Work and Families Act 2007
• acting for a private limited company defending an unfair dismissal claim arising out of the TUPE regulations

Outside work, Gary is a keen chess player and enjoys playing football and badminton. He is also a keen collector of rare kung fu movies.

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Elaine Lo

Profile:

Name: Elaine Lo
Location: 2 Waterside Way
Services: Property Law
Email: elaine.lo@dfalaw.co.uk

 

Background Information

Elaine is an Assistant Solicitor in the commercial property department of the firm having qualified as a Solicitor in October 2006.

Elaine advises on a variety of commercial property transactions which range from acting for private individuals, small local businesses to large companies within the industrial, service, property, finance and retail sectors.

Elaine’s experience includes:

• landlord and tenant work to include the negotiating of new leases, lease renewals, the assignment and subletting of existing Leases and general advice on landlord and tenant matters
• Acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold commercial property
• general property management work to include the management of property portfolios for private investors and management companies
• dealing with secured lending work to include reports on title

In her spare time Elaine enjoys travelling, reading and socialising with friends and family.