Our People
Derek Rowntree
Sharon Lewis
James Wood
Catharine Morrison
Tara Biggs
Claire Arnold
Marie Beaver
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Derek Rowntree
Senior Partner
Derek has a broad experience in residential, commercial and agricultural property matters, including the varied challenges of business purchase agreements. His background however is in inheritance tax mitigation and estate administration, “the bigger and more complex the estate the better”.
Derek qualified as a solicitor on 15 June 1979.
Sharon Lewis
Managing Partner
Sharon has established herself as a leading authority on the affairs of the elderly not just in advising on wills, trusts, estate administration and tax planning but also on lasting powers of attorney, receivership issues and long term care planning.
Sharon looks after the affairs of many elderly clients who can no longer cope themselves.
In her spare time Sharon enjoys playing hockey, walking and running.
Sharon qualified as a Solicitor on 1 November 1986.
James Wood
Partner
(Head of Litigation)
James likes nothing more than to wrestle with a difficult civil litigation problem whether this is a personal injury claim, employment issue or even a commercial dispute.
He is a specialist Personal Injury Lawyer and undertakes work for Accident Line Direct, more details of which can be found at www.accidentlinedirect.co.uk.
He also has a wealth of experience in Landlord & Tenant matters, debt recovery and property disputes.
He has built up a justified reputation for being the person to turn to when the diplomatic approach fails.
James qualified as a Solicitor on 1 December 1989.
Catharine Morrison
Solicitor
Catharine brings a wonderful down to earth approach to the stresses and strains of property transactions whether these are residential, commercial or agricultural. She also is very experienced in some of the less glamorous areas such as shared ownership purchases.
Catherine qualified as a Solicitor in 2003 and joined Rutters in 2005.
Catherine's spare time is occupied by looking after her growing family and occasionally finds time to play a bad round of golf!
Tara Biggs
Solicitor
Tara is a specialist family lawyer/collaborative practitioner and mediator. She handles all aspects of a relationship breakdown including separation and divorce proceedings as well as the financial issues arising and disputes over the children. She is a member of Resolution which promotes constructive solutions to these problem areas. Tara has built a reputation for her sensitive, efficient and cost effective approach.
Tara joined Rutters in September 2007. She initially qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1999 and represented the South West as a Council member for several years. She further qualified as a Solicitor in 2006.
Tara's chosen specialism is family law. She is an advocate of alternative dispute resolution and has trained both as a collaborative lawyer and mediator.
Tara enjoys walking, running, playing the piano and reading in her spare time.
Claire Arnold
Solicitor
Claire is a rare breed in that she has not only established herself as a very efficient and popular conveyancer, she is also an adept and versatile general practitioner in litigious matters. In particular her legal skills and friendly approach give clients the support they need at a stressful time.
Claire qualified as a Solicitor on 17 March 2008.
Marie Beaver
Solicitor
Marie qualified as a Solicitor in 2001. She specialises in residence property conveyancing. She can assist you with selling and buying your home, re-mortgaging your property, equity release mortgages, shared ownership schemes, gifts of property and voluntary first registrations of land.
Marie is a member of the National Trust and her interests include the theatres, cinema and reading.
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Beth Reaves
Trainee Legal Executive
Beth joined Rutters in 2006. She is an Associate Member of the Institute of Legal Executives and has recently passed the Professional Diploma in Law.
She specialises in wills, administration of estates and powers of attorney.
Originally from Worcestershire she has lived in the area since 1997. She enjoys dancing, countryside walks, cycling and supporting her partner motorcar racing.
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Helen Matthews
Solicitor
Helen joined Rutters in July 2008 after completing a Law Degree and Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University.
She has undertaken training in the Private Client department, conveyancing department and is currently assisting solicitors in the Litigation team.
Helen qualified as a solicitor in August 2010.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking and socialising with friends.