Downs Solicitors LLP — England

Amber O"Connor

Amber deals with a range of private client work including Wills, administration of estates, Lasting Powers of Attorney and mental capacity work. As well as making sure the right beneficiaries will inherit your estate, Amber will help you minimise your exposure to the capital taxes. She will also assist you with Powers of Attorney to make sure the right people will be able to take control of your assets should you be unable to do so yourself. · Private Client

Chris Millar

Senior partner. Chris specialises in commercial litigation and insolvency. His clients are varied and many are located overseas. His focus is to advise clients on effective dispute resolution, covering a broad range of issues, eg from shareholder disputes, contractual claims and professional negligence claims to debt/asset recovery. Chris advises many insolvency practitioners and other clients on all aspects of insolvency-related issues, and has become an acknowledged expert in the field of ‘phoenix companies’. Recent cases include: the recovery of high-value assets in Switzerland and Belgium on behalf of a trustee in bankruptcy; a claim in excess of £10m against a European bank by a Mexican national; two Court of Appeal decisions regarding ss216-217 Insolvency Act 1986; and acting for a number of shareholders in respect of unfair prejudice petitions and derivative claims. · Commercial Litigation

David Seals

David specialises in acting for employers in employment disputes and is an experienced advocate in the Employment Tribunals. He has acted for a broad range of clients, such as company directors, HR managers and owner-managers, in a variety of sectors from the motor car industry to schools and charities. He advises on all aspects of employment law, including terms and conditions of service, employment policies and procedures, termination, disciplinary and grievance procedures, employment aspects of business transfers/TUPE, redundancy and restructures, discrimination law, restrictive covenants and associated litigation, employment tribunal litigation and appeals. David also provides in-house training on employment law to HR departments and managers, typically in such areas as discrimination law, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and reorganisation/restructures. He is a regular article contributor to business journals and has presented many employment law seminars and workshops. · Employment

Helen Boddy

Helen has an enviable and loyal base of both corporate and individual clients. She runs a full service employment practice acting for corporate clients, SMEs and owner managed businesses. Helen is well known for providing accessible and effective advice. She is highly valued for her experience and pragmatism. She enjoys working closely with clients as an extension to the in-house team to cut through the complications of employment and HR legal issues. Experienced in all employment law issues including change management and restructuring, TUPE, disputes, dismissals, settlement agreements and day to day issues arising during employment (eg disciplinary, performance, bonus and incentive arrangements), competition from ex-employees and team moves (post termination restrictions, garden leave) and all aspects of tribunal work. She advises senior executives on hire and fire scenarios which gives her a broader understanding of the dynamics of the employment relationship. · Employment

Julian Harvey

Head of Corporate and Commercial, Partner. Julian specialises in all areas of corporate and commercial law with a particular focus on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and joint ventures, including shareholder and LLP agreements. He is also experienced in franchising and share option schemes. Julian has advised on numerous acquisitions and disposals, especially in the SME sector and for family owned businesses. He also has considerable international experience. He works with clients in a range of different industry sectors, including technology, franchising, healthcare, property development, automotive and leisure. · Corporate / M&A

Kate Matthews

Partner in Risk Management, Franchising and Dispute Resolution. Conducts major commercial disputes frequently with EU or international implications in particular in the aviation, construction and franchising sectors. Specialises in contractual commercial claims, business disagreements, warranty claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, injunctive/ interlocutory relief, professional negligence, debts and enforcement, insolvency. Has wide experience of all levels of courts and ADR techniques particularly Mediation and Arbitration. · Dispute Resolution

Richard Clapham

Richard practised in a central London firm for over 10 years before joining our Corporate and Commercial Department in Godalming as a Partner He advises UK and overseas corporates, start-ups, trade associations and individuals with particular expertise in the following: Corporate: private company share and business acquisitions and disposals, joint venture and shareholder agreements, LLP agreements, share buy-back arrangements, bespoke articles of association, start-ups, associations and clubs, group reorganisation, board and staff share incentive schemes, and corporate governance. Corporate finance: facility agreements, debentures and personal guarantees. Commercial: sale of goods and supply of services agreements, IP licensing, blockchain technology terms, manufacturing, agency and distribution agreements, property development agreements and confidentiality agreements. · Corporate / M&A

Richard Taylor

Richard handles a broad range of property transactions and specialises in residential property development, residential conveyancing, secured lending and general commercial property work. His clients include many well-established developers and entrepreneurs and he has built up close working relationships with clients and contacts alike over a number of years. He always aims to give added value and is known for his creative and proactive approach. · Real Estate