After studying law at the University of Liverpool and completing his post-graduate year at the College of Law Chester, Richard qualified as a solicitor in 1996. He joined Beers LLP in 2005 and became Head of Property in 2007.
Richard deals with a wide range of high-value residential and commercial transactions, including sales and purchases, the grant and surrender of leases, agricultural land transactions, the grant of easements and complex development and leasehold enfranchisement matters.
Away from the office, Richard enjoys spending time with his wife, their 2 young children and their Dalmatian dog. He is a former professional sailor, an indifferent guitar player and an ever slower long distance runner.
Richard is a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association and is recommended in Chambers guide to the legal profession for commercial property work.
Jon is a partner and solicitor advocate in the Company Commercial and Property department in our Plymouth office. Jon read law at Plymouth, obtaining a first class degree and a series of academic awards. Acting for a variety of clients, individuals and businesses, Jon has many years’ experience dealing with all aspects of business and company law, sales, purchases, start ups, advising on corporate structure, shareholders agreements, partnership agreements, software licensing and other intellectual property matters. He is also widely experienced in commercial property, landlord and tenant work (for both residential and commercial leasehold matters) and high value or complex residential conveyancing. Jon advises on construction contracts (large and small projects), and commercial contracts.
Jon also undertakes contentious property matters, such as easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession, rectification at HM Land Registry and residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters. Jon qualified as a solicitor in 2016 (although has many years of pre-qualification experience) and obtained rights of audience in the Higher Civil Courts, qualifying him to undertake advocacy in all civil courts, in 2018.
Jon is also the firm’s client care partner and training principal.
Outside of the office Jon is undertaking a PhD, researching geotechnology and property rights. He has published academic articles and lectures various law modules at Plymouth University.
When not studying, Jon enjoys the moors, time with his partner and dog, sailing, cycling (very slowly) and dreaming about a classic car.
Claire is a Licensed Conveyancer who specialises in residential conveyancing, particularly sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold property with both registered and unregistered titles, mortgages and remortgages, transfers of equity, Declarations of Trust, shared ownership properties and the Help to Buy Scheme. Claire also understands the swift nature of investment purchases and auction sales deadlines.
Claire has worked in support capacity within property departments for over 20 years prior to qualifying.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my children and love the outdoors, particularly the beach and horse-riding.
Carolyn has been a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives since 2012 and has specialised in residential conveyancing since 2016. She deals with a wide range of conveyancing matters including: New Build purchases; Equity loans; Transfers of Equity; Declarations of Trust as well as freehold and leasehold sales and purchases. Her career in law spans over 11 years and she has experience in a wide range of areas, including family law and litigation. Prior to that she held managerial roles in Administration. Her wide-ranging experience allows her to take a more holistic view to property transactions and advise clients accordingly.
Carolyn has a busy home life with her husband and four teenage children which she has combined with her studies and work. Her experiences have enabled Carolyn to empathise with clients in stressful situations and assist them in a calm, measured way.
Josh is a Trainee Solicitor in our Plymouth Office. Josh studied Law at Plymouth University, graduating with first class honours, and is currently studying on the second year of the Legal Practice Course alongside working at Beers. Josh started his period of recognised training in March 2018.
Josh’s workload is comprised mainly of property and commercial matters. He has wider experience with matters concerning landlord and tenant, company formations, share purchase agreements, asset purchase agreements, the formation of charitable organisations, drafting terms and conditions, intellectual property, general civil litigation and various other types of company/commercial work.
Outside of the office Josh lectures in Building and Property law at Plymouth University and spends much of his time studying, however he enjoys keeping fit and spending time with his family.
Originally from Bristol, Wendy began working in residential property as an assistant within a busy Bristol law firm in 2000. After moving to Plymouth, she took a break from legal work to complete a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing.
She then returned to work full time in residential conveyancing in legal practice in 2013. Wendy joined Beers in 2016 in the residential conveyancing department and works with Carolyn assisting with all aspects of residential conveyancing, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, auction purchases and sales, remortgages, equity release schemes, help to buy matters, probate sales and the like.
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys spending time with her family and keeping fit.
Helen is a paralegal in the residential property team and is currently studying to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive, she is presently an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives having achieved this status in 2018. Helen has assisted with sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold properties and re-mortgages, but in 2018 established her own case load and now specialises in shared ownership matters.
Helen worked in the equine industry for some years before joining the legal profession and is keen to use her experience to help clients in that industry.
In her spare time Helen enjoys keeping fit and competing her own horse when she isn’t busy studying
Chloe works as a Paralegal in the Residential Property Team. She has recently completed her Specialist Paralegal Qualification in Residential Conveyancing.
Chloe has worked in a support capacity for the last 5 years assisting Claire Chope with her cases.
In her spare time, Chloe enjoys the outdoors and is a keen sports enthusiast, she plays competitive hockey, competes in CrossFit competitions and in December 2018 is embarking on an Atlantic rowing challenge, rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with 3 teammates.
