Areas of Law: Civil Litigation / Family / Immigration / Wills and Probate

Danillene Christina “Danna” Quinto founded “Lawher” initially as a media platform to chronicle and celebrate the unorthodox and inspiring journeys of women and men in law, and to highlight the value added by diversity and inclusivity in the legal industry.

Lawher became Lawher & Co Solicitors in 2023 as an authorised law firm in the UK  built for lawyers synergised in their purpose of being persistently solutions-focused, intuitive, and forward-thinking in resolving legal issues.

Danna has her own multifaceted journey towards opening Lawher & Co Solicitors- she grew up in provincial Southern Philippines, then obtained a Character Scholarship at Thames International Business School which unlatched an opportunity to finish the final year of her undergraduate degree in International Business Administration in the UK. She then had a spell of time in the catering industry to which she looks back with great fondness. Thereafter, she pivoted towards the legal industry; trained and qualified as a solicitor and spent 7 years of her early career at Photiades Solicitors in St Albans. She then moved to Bedfordshire to head the litigation and family department of a firm in Bedford and thereafter became a Partner, and its Managing Partner, before she established and founded Lawher & Co Solicitors in 2023.

She is a volunteer legal adviser to the Philippine Embassy in London, and a co-host of the legal podcast series The Case Finder. 

When not in the office, Danna is a keen hillwalker, a munro bagger, and a novice high altitude climber. She recently raised the Lawher flag at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mt Apo (Philippines) and Mt Ararat (Turkey).  She is an endurance event enthusiast – perhaps to balance her quintessentially Filipino love for cooking and eating.

Areas of Law: Civil Litigation / Family / Wills and Probate

Mr Philip Willans is a retired solicitor with circa 50 years of legal experience. He owned his own practice for 30 years in St Albans and was a part-time employment tribunal judge for 20 years. He has extensive experience in wills and probate, family law, and civil litigation. He is the beacon of intellectual rigour, pragmatism, and integrity. He is a polyglot, a former rock climber, and was a county runner for Hertfordshire. He is currently studying Archaeology and Modern Greek.

Melissa Stock, a former Bloomberg journalist turned distinguished barrister of Millenium Chambers, and standing Counsel at Lawher and Co Solicitors, brings a unique blend of journalistic acumen and legal expertise to the realm of data protection and privacy law. Melissa’s unconventional career path underscores her versatility and commitment to making a significant impact in diverse fields. Transitioning from a successful career in journalism, where she cultivated skills in research, communication, and advocacy, Melissa’s journey into law was driven by a desire to effect meaningful change in people’s lives.

Since qualifying as a barrister in 2013, Melissa has established herself as a trusted authority in data protection, privacy, and commercial affairs concerning information. Leveraging her background in journalism, Melissa possesses a keen understanding of the importance of information integrity and its implications for individuals and organizations alike. Her practice encompasses a comprehensive range of legal matters, from compliance with data laws and regulations to navigating complex issues of confidentiality, access, and reputational concerns.

Beyond her legal practice, Melissa remains actively engaged in shaping policy and contributing her insights to projects with esteemed organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, and the ISEAL Alliance. Recognized for her proficiency, Melissa holds certification as an Information Privacy Professional in European Data Law (CIPP/E) from the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As an accomplished author, Melissa shares her wealth of knowledge through journal articles, books, and her widely followed blog and podcast series, offering invaluable guidance on the intricate intersections of privacy, data protection, and technology. Melissa’s unique blend of journalistic insight and legal expertise makes her an invaluable asset to Lawher and Co Solicitors, where she continues to make a meaningful impact in the field of information law.

Polly Jackman, a seasoned solicitor, specializes in family law with a robust background in human rights and public interest law. Operating flexibly, Polly serves as a family law consultant solicitor at Lawher while also fulfilling the role of Public Law Solicitor for a not-for-profit law firm.

Having pursued Politics and International Relations at Manchester University followed by a Masters in Human Rights, Polly’s career journey took her to Thailand where she engaged in human rights abuse documentation. Upon returning to the UK, she delved into the field of law, training as a solicitor with McCue & Partners, a firm specializing in human rights and public interest law. During this time, she completed a secondment at Camilla Baldwin, a renowned Mayfair-based family law firm catering to high and ultra-high net worth clientele. Later, Polly ascended to a partnership role at D&G Family Law in South-West London.

Polly’s professional achievements include acquiring Higher Rights of Audience in 2018 and achieving a distinction in a Master of Laws in Advanced Legal Practice in 2019. Her expertise spans various aspects of family law, including separation, divorce, cohabitation, civil partnerships, financial arrangements, and particularly disputes involving children. With a profound focus on aiding victims of domestic abuse, Polly is dedicated to providing clear, calm, and concise legal counsel to her clients, guiding them through challenging times with empathy and support.

Approachable and empathetic, Polly prides herself on her ability to offer invaluable assistance, whether through formal representation or behind-the-scenes advisory roles. She extends a free initial 30-minute telephone or Zoom consultation, ensuring accessibility for those navigating family law proceedings.

Claire Weeks is a Consultant Family Law Solicitor with almost 20 years of experience in and around the legal profession. She qualified in 2015 and specialises in a broad range of privately funded family law matters, including divorce, financial settlements, child arrangements, cohabitation and separation agreements, as well as pre- and postnuptial agreements.

Alongside her legal practice, Claire serves as a Magistrate, a school governor, a PTA officer, and a volunteer at a local church children’s group. She is also a devoted wife and mother.

Claire is admired for her ability to deliver innovative and tailored solutions for her clients and is proud to align with Lawher & Co.’s ethos of integrity, compassion, and pragmatic legal service.

Catherine Dy (Standing Barrister – Immigration Department – Manchester Branch)

Catherine is the first female Filipino public access barrister in the UK. She completed her Philosophy degree at the University of the Philippines – Diliman. She then embarked upon her legal studies in the UK as a part-time evening student and completed her Legal Practice Course with the College of Law – Bloomsbury, in 2009. She was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2011 after training with Charles Annon & Co. Solicitors, a renowned Immigration Legal Aid franchise firm. She went on to successfully found the Business Immigration Department of the same firm whilst providing quality specialist advice and assistance to a then growing PBS Immigrant population. She was invited to join Vine Court Chambers in 2015 as a Tenant after she completed a successful transfer to becoming a barrister. She was called to the Bar in March 2015 by The Honourable Society of Middle Temple.

Catherine has a plethora and depth of experience of working with multi-faith and diverse communities as well as a variety of organisations throughout her years of practice. She has a pragmatic, firm but sensitive approach to her cases which enables her to deliver effective outcomes for her clients.

Areas of Expertise: NMC / Fitness to Practice Investigations, Employment Law, ADR and Arbitration, Civil/Commercial Litigation

Jayesh is a dual qualified as a solicitor advocate and barrister. He is a Public Access practitioner and has rights to conduct litigation as a barrister in a dual capacity. He is also a qualified mediator and receives instructions on cases requiring alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, including adjudication and arbitration.

He has over 20 years of experience in civil/commercial litigation and employment law and is often instructed to draft pleadings, represent and enforce judgments in UK courts, including foreign judgments instructed by international firms. He has negotiated contracts and settlements covering a number of the industries, particularly from India. Jayesh’s caseload includes a number of matters on both the fast and multi-tracks and before specialist Business and Property Courts concerning property, commercial, and other chancery and construction disputes, as well as Insolvency matters at the High Court.

Jayesh’s other main area of expertise is representing health professionals before regulatory bodies/tribunals in professional disciplinary fitness to practise matters. He has appeared in representing health professionals regulated by the GMC, GDC, GPhC, NMC and the HCPC where he has successfully defended psychologists, dentists, pharmacists, paramedics, physiotherapists, and doctors to name but a few professionals before various fitness to practise panels or committees.
 He is also instructed to present cases against health professionals by various regulatory bodies including the HCPC, GDC and the NMC, as well as being called by the General Optical Council to sit as a Legal Adviser on occasions.

In particular, on medical professional registration matters, Jayesh advises and represents foreign qualified doctors on appeal wishing to become specialist Consultants via the GMC’s Portfolio Pathway – (formerly known as PMETB’s Article 14 route or Certificate of Eligibility for the Specialist Register (CESR)).

Areas of Law: Civil and Commercial Litigation / Arbitration

Courtenay qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2000, has regularly practised in the High and County Courts with higher rights of audience since 2007 and qualified as an attorney-at-law in California in 2011. He was called to the bar in 2016 and is currently with Garden Court Chambers (insert link to Garden Court profile), as well as holding consultant roles for several organisations.

He specialises in civil/commercial litigation and arbitration, including international and construction disputes and EU cross-border mergers. He regularly advises on employment and regulatory law, in relation to money services businesses. He also has experience in human rights and personal injury law.

In September 2022, Courtenay took up the position of Chair of The Law Society’s Human Rights Committee.

In July 2018, the Court of Appeal noted his “quick thinking and ingenuity” in a USD$15.5 million claim against a sovereign wealth fund. He was recommended in the Legal 500 for civil liberties in 2016.

He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Pepperdine University’s London campus, currently lecturing on human rights law.