The Disputes Team
Disputes Team: Michael McDonnell
Partner - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Michael joined the original Howard Cohen and Co in 1990 and became Partner in 1994. Michael’s expertise is in dispute resolution which he now heads up the Disputes Department and has overall responsibility for Reputation Management, Professional Negligence and Commercial Contract Disputes. Michael has extensive experience of dealing with cases in all courts, including the Divisional Court, Court of Appeal and The House of Lords (now the Supreme Court). Michael’s principle interests are in the areas of professional negligence, building and construction disputes and injunctive relief matters.
Mike is a petrol head and remains the undefeated karting champion of the firm.
Disputes Team: David Hall
Solicitor - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
David graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a law degree then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course in 2002. David qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and has represented clients ranging from individuals to major PLCs in a diverse range of commercial and civil litigation disputes both in the UK and abroad.
David is a dedicated, lifelong supporter of Kidderminster Harriers football club and maintains that his appearance as a mascot in 1993 is the sole reason for all of their success to date
Disputes Team: Yvonne Simpson
Barrister - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Yvonne Simpson graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in law, then completed her bar vocational course and was called to the bar in 1997. Yvonne is a member of Lincolns Inn and was awarded a Hardwick Scholarship. She undertook her pupillage at 2 Crown Office Row, London. Since then she has worked in city law firms, for the government and a multi-national company.
Yvonne is a keen diver and is currently training to become a dive master. Her dream dive destination would be the Cocos and Malpelo islands in the Eastern Pacific where she would like to see the Hammerhead shark and other indigenous marine species.
Sarah Leyland
Solicitor - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sarah Leyland heads up our specialist employment team. Sarah graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in Law with European Law. She completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in York. Sarah has a varied practice covering contentious and non-contentious employment matters. She deals with Employment Tribunal cases and also advises on non contentious issues such as all aspects of disciplinary, grievance and redundancy procedures and the drafting of contracts of employment and staff handbooks. Sarah is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
Sarah has been to the top of the Burj khalifa in Dubai (the tallest man made structure in the world)
Disputes Team: Emily Slater
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Solicitor - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Emily Slater is a member of the disputes team. Emily graduated from the University of Leeds with an honours degree in Law in 2005. She then went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School. Emily has varied experience in practice of civil litigation matters. She assists the departmental Partner, Michael McDonnell, and deals with Reputation Management, Professional Negligence and Commercial Contract Disputes.
Emily is keen Formula One fan and has even named her cat ‘Jenson’ after her favourite driver, Jenson Button.
Disputes Team: Hollie Marcham
Trainee Solicitor - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Hollie graduated with a degree in law and completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School, Manchester. Hollie has also successfully completed the LLM in Professional Legal Practice, focusing her thesis on how effective the guidance is in the civil procedure rules on the behavior of parties in disputes. Hollie is currently in her first seat of her training contract, supporting other members of the dispute resolution team but working mainly on commercial contract disputes and debt recovery matters.
Hollie’s lifelong ambition is to live at peace with the Penguins.
Disputes Team: Kaye Longhorn
Trainee Solicitor - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Kaye Longhorn joined the Dispute department in 2008 and is principal personal assistant to Michael McDonnell and Yvonne Simpson. Kaye graduated from Leeds University with a degree in law and is currently continuing her studies with the intention of becoming a qualified solicitor. In addition to being a personal assistant, Kaye is also involved on a daily basis in liaising with clients, barristers, other solicitors and the courts. Kaye is a valuable member of the team and a useful point of contact for all the department’s clients.
One of Kaye's greatest achievements is flying through the Grand Canyon in a helicopter - particularly as she has a terrible fear of flying!
Disputes Team: Angelee Patel
.jpg "Disputes Team: Angelee Patel")
Paralegal - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Angelee graduated from the University of Leicester with a degree in law and completed the Legal Practice Course at The College of Law in Manchester. Angelee has gained experience in a wide variety of law firms and completed a legal internship in China before joining Cohen Cramer in July 2011. Angelee provides support to all solicitors within the Dispute Resolution Team
Angelee's greatest achievement is snorkelling uncaged with sharks in the Blue Lagoon, Fiji - thankfully not being mistaken for shark bait and making it home alive!
Christina Meah
Paralegal - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Christina joined the firm in 2006 and has over 10 years’ legal experience. Christina works in the Employment Team and deals with all contentious and non-contentious matters and in particular the submission of claims, disclosure, compromise agreements and post completion matters.
Christina loves to dance and was once asked to perform in a music video!
Although I was 4,000 miles away I could rest easy knowing that probate matters were in your capable hands.
