Catherine O'Dea LL.B
Catherine is a Partner with Heppenstalls based at the Lymington Office where she is in charge of the Probate Department. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1972 and joined Heppenstalls in 1977. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and is able to advise on Wills involving Inheritance Tax Planning, the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney, applications to the Public Guardianship Office and management of clients' affairs as Deputy, Probate matters and ancillary Conveyancing matters.
Alexandra Jennings LL.B and Notary Public
Alex is a Partner and head of the Probate / Wills / Trusts department at the New Milton Office. She qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and has been with Heppenstalls throughout her working life, also having trained with the firm. Alex specialises in Wills and estate planning, particularly in relation to Inheritance Tax. She also deals with Powers of Attorney and the general management of elderly clients affairs, including the payment of care costs. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice from the University of Cambridge and, as a Notary Public, is able to notarise documents for use abroad. Alex is also Honorary Secretary to the Bournemouth & District Law Society.
Philip Salt LL.B
Philip undertook his first work experience with Heppenstalls in 1993 and trained with the firm, qualifying as a Solicitor in June 2002 and is now the partner in charge of Conveyancing for the three offices. Philip deals with all types of residential and commercial matters. Philip also offers guidance on all non-contentious matters. Philip is a member of the Charity Law Association.
Christian Bennett LL.B
Christian is a Family Solicitor having trained with Heppenstalls and was admitted in 2003. He is a partner at the firm and a member of Resolution. He practices in all areas of Family Law with particular emphasis on the law relating to children and Domestic Violence. He has recently completed Collaborative Law training and is now qualified to conduct and resolve family disputes by way of the Collaborative process.
Sheila Pullan
Sheila was admitted in 1985. She has been on the Children's Care Panel and the Law Society Family Panel for many years and is also an Accredited Resolution Specialist. She is a Member of the Society of Lawyers for Children and is experienced in all areas of family practice. She has extensive experience of acting for all parties in care and private law children's proceedings in the High Court, County Court and Family Proceedings Court.
Paola Russell LL.B
Paola qualified in 2004 and is able to advise on Elderly Client Care, Wills, Probate and Planning matters; she deals with contentious and non-contentious matters. Paola is presently a student member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners and aims to work towards becoming a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Specialists.
Ben Gurluk LL.B
Ben is a solicitor at our Lyndhurst office. Having successfully completed his LL.B Hons Law degree at London University and the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law he joined the New Milton office as a Trainee in 2005. He completed his Training Contract at the Lyndhurst Office and was admitted in 2006. Ben deals with all types of residential and commercial conveyancing transactions.
Adam Scott LL.B
Adam joined Heppenstalls as a paralegal in 2005. Having successfully completed his LL.B Hons Law degree at Southampton Solent University and the Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University he became a Trainee Solicitor with the firm. Adam qualified in June 2009 and is now a Solicitor in the Probate / Wills / Trusts department.
Ann Herd
Ann is an experienced Family Legal Executive. She was admitted as a Fellow in September 2002. She is a member of Resolution and a member of the Law Society's Family Law Panel. She practises in family law including divorce, child-related matters, financial matters, cohabitation disputes and domestic violence issues. She has recently completed Collaborative Law training and is now qualified to conduct and resolve family disputes by way of the Collaborative process.
Samantha Lucas
Samantha is a Legal Executive and was admitted as a fellow in 2006 and is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate practitioners. She deals with Probate and Wills and assists Catherine O'Dea.
Suzy Gibbs
Suzy is a conveyancing executive who joined the Firm in 2007. Suzy deals with all residential matters and has over 20 years conveyancing experience. She previously worked for law firms in the City of London and in Guildford, Surrey prior to relocating to the New Forest.
Rosalind Gibbins
Ros joined Heppenstalls in 1991 and has dealt with probate at the Lyndhurst office since 1993. She also deals with income tax matters. Ros has a background in banking and is a student member of STEP.
Anita Hanrahan
Anita handles probate and the management of client's affairs. Anita also has a background in banking, having joined Heppenstalls in 2004.
Stephanie Doe
Stephanie is a Trainee Legal Executive within the family department and a Member of the Institute of Legal Executives. Stephanie is currently undertaking her studies leading towards her admission as a Fellow of the Institute. She is familiar with all areas of family law.
