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.

It became Lawher & Co Solicitors in 2023 as a home base 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 Bedford to head the litigation and family department of Deo Volente Legal LLP and thereafter became a Partner, and its Managing Partner, before she established Lawher & Co Solicitors in 2023.

She is a volunteer legal adviser to the Philippine Embassy in London, and a co-host of an interactive and educational radio show “Legal Advice Corner” which is produced by Filipino TV Europe. She is also a regular column writer for Tinig UK.

When not in the office, Danna is a keen hillwalker, a munro bagger, a novice rock-climber, and 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.

Dorothy Turner was admitted as a Solicitor in 1985 after obtaining a Masters degree in Commercial Law at Bristol University and training as an articled clerk at Greene & Greene Solicitors in Bury St Edmunds. 

Subsequently, she joined Nicholsons Solicitors of Lowestoft as an assistant Solicitor, where she gained a wide experience in heavy-weight Civil and Commercial Litigation matters. 

Departing East Anglia for Bedfordshire, Dorothy joined a general practice in Kempston where, as a Partner, she headed the Litigation Department: dealing with all aspects of Litigation Civil and Commercial including Advocacy in County and Magistrates Courts; Personal Injury; Medical Negligence; Divorce; Family and Crime. 

Moving on to focus on Family law, Dorothy joined a niche Family practice in Bedford where she was an associate for a number of years specializing in Matrimonial Finance and contested Private Children Act matters. 

Latterly, she has developed a Consultancy specializing in all aspects of Private Client Law with an emphasis on Family Wealth Management and advising the Elderly Client. 

Dorothy is pleased to help with all matters of a Private Client nature including Administration of Estates; Wills; Estate Planning; setting up and registering Trusts; Deeds of Gift; Transfers of Equity as well as OPG Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection applications. 

Her hobbies and interests include travelling abroad, ‘forest bathing’, ‘wild swimming’, Yoga (she is a qualified Yoga teacher), astrology, holistic therapies, and spirituality. 

She is a trustee of the Spiritual Companions Trust and a group organizer with the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. 

Dorothy enjoys reading, music, theatre, and cinema and loves to visit museums and art galleries on trips to cultural hot spots in Europe and beyond. 

Caseworker / Pakistan Qualified Lawyer and Former Civil Judge Punjab

Munaza started her independent law practice at District and High Courts Rawalpindi, Pakistan in 2011. Shortly thereafter, she became qualified as a Civil Judge cum Judicial Magistrate and served in big districts of Punjab ie Jhelum, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faislabad from September 2015 until 2022 .

Throughout her legal career, she dealt with number of Family, civil and criminal cases. Her experience in both segments of legal system has equipped her to communicate with people on professional and personal manner and this has made her valuable individual in the law profession.

She is currently in the process of qualifying as a solicitor in the UK and is a general caseworker at Lawher Solicitors

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.