Laura read Law at Kingston University, graduating with Honours and completed the Legal Practice Course in London. She qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and joined the firm in 1997, becoming a Partner in 2001.

Since qualification, Laura has specialised in all areas of Family Law and Property Matters. She deals with Divorce, Civil Partnerships, Financial Matters on Divorce or Separation, Cohabitee Claims, Children Issues and Pre Nuptial Agreements. Laura is a Resolution Family Lawyer and a Collaborative Trained Family Lawyer. She also undertakes Residential Property matters and can advise on all aspects of buying and selling residential property, including issues around jointly owned property, Transfers of Equity and Declarations of Trust.

In 2009 Laura obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Notarial Practice from the University of Cambridge and qualified as a Notary Public in 2010. She practices as a Notary Public, which is entirely separate from the solicitors’ practice of Gumersalls, although she does work from the same office. She is able to offer advice and assistance on the completion and authentication of documents required for abroad, verification of identity, certified copies of documents and legalisation requirements.

Away from the office, Laura takes great pleasure in being with her family (husband, two children and the dog!) and they enjoy travelling and activities together. Laura is also an avid Netball fan, having played since University.

Tom read History at the University of York, then completed the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in the same city. He qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and joined the Private Client team at Gumersalls the following year, becoming a Partner in 2013.

Tom deals with various private client matters, in particular Wills, powers of attorney and the management of elderly and vulnerable clients’ affairs. He is an Affiliate Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (‘STEP’) and achieved the STEP Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation (England and Wales) with Distinction.

Tom is also an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer and a Dementia Friend.

Away from the office, Tom enjoys spending time with his family, attending his church and supporting Liverpool FC.

Gill joined Gumersalls in October 2013 and works as a Legal Secretary to partner Tom Edwards in the Private Client department dealing specifically with Wills, Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection and Management of Affairs for our clients.

She has been a Legal Secretary for over 15 years and prior to that she worked in the financial sector as a bank manager and in the insurance industry.

In Gill’s spare time she volunteers as a magistrate, which she has done for over 20 years and she enjoys helping take care of her two grandsons and an assortment of animals.

Zoe joined our team as a legal secretary in 2008 having had a varied work history involving customer service, administrative work, accounting and experience with elderly clients.

She has been assisting the fee earners in the private client department with the administration of estates, trusts and the management of elderly clients’ affairs since she joined us and has a particular interest in the administration of estates.

When she is not in the office, Zoe spends most of her time with her fiancé and their cats. Zoe’s hobbies include reading, walking and nature photography.

Nick joined us as our Office Manager in 2021. He is likely to be the first person you speak to when you telephone the office with an enquiry and helps with the general day to day running of the office. He also assists the private client department with property and client visits.

Nick was involved within the print industry for more than 20 years and ran his own print company for 10 years before he joined the team.

Outside of the office, he likes to spend time with his family and friends, enjoys going to watch football matches and likes to play golf. He is an avid skier and enjoys travelling – going on a trip to see a cricket tour in Australia or the West Indies is on his bucket list!