MEMBERS

Melinda Nettleton, LL.B, Solicitor

Melinda is the founding member and principal solicitor of SEN Legal and a recognised Education Law expert. She has considerable experience of all the areas of work undertaken by SEN Legal. In addition to her professional practice in Education Law, and specifically Special Educational Needs and Disability Discrimination/ Equality Act cases, Melinda undertakes a great deal of pro bono work with voluntary organisations such as SOS!SEN, acting as a trustee and offering seminars and workshops for parents. She is a member of the Education Law Association (ELAS) and the Education Law Practitioners Association (ELPA). She is also the mother of a child with Special Educational Needs. All SEN Legal cases are undertaken by Melinda or under her direct supervision.

Melinda qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and, before specialising in Education Law, has experience of working for a local authority and the Crown Prosecution Service. She is an experienced litigator and often represents her clients in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).

As mentioned above, Melinda is able to relate to and empathise with her clients as she is the mother of three children, one of whom has Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and a severe Language Disorder and who has had a Statement of Special Educational Needs throughout his education. He had a specialist independent school named in Part 4 of his Statement of Special Educational Needs funded by his Local Authority from the age of 8 until the conclusion of his A Levels. Melinda's son is now at University. As a result of this personal experience, Melinda is committed to giving her clients the same level of care and attention that she gave to her own son throughout his education.

Melinda divides her time between London and Bury St Edmunds, and meets clients from all over the country in central London, which is easier for parents to access.

Angela Tyrrell, Paralegal/PA to Melinda Nettleton

My role is to assist Melinda with her work and I act as the first point of contact for all emails and letters from clients, experts and Local Authorities that are addressed to Melinda. I also coordinate Melinda's diary in conjunction with other members of staff and Melinda's other commitments. We are a small team of Paralegals and hold regular team meetings to ensure deadlines are met and we are all appraised of progress with each client's case. Personally, I have worked in the legal field for in excess of 9 years and have completed Level 3 and one Level 6 of the Institute of Legal Executive's examination. I have two children aged 10 and 8. I am also a Justice of the Peace and find this voluntary role has helped developed my personal skills such as communicating and team working which has been of benefit to me both personally and professionally.

Wendy Kitchin, Paralegal

My name is Wendy Kitchin. I have worked with Melinda Nettleton at SEN Legal for 8 years, mostly as a Paralegal. I work on a part-time basis as I am also a mother to three children, aged 13,12 & 8. I have an HND in Business Studies and have previously worked in Customer Services and Admin for various other companies.

My particular role is to arrange the hearing dates for our clients and therefore liaise with the independent experts (and Counsel if instructed) regarding their availability and also contact the Local Authorities to canvass their hearing availability. I also work within a team of Paralegals to diarise all Appeal deadline dates on our database. I am responsible for circulating Tribunal Bundles and hearing venue details to relevant parties, I work closely with the Tribunal Clerks, which often involves chasing requests for changes, hearing dates, venue details etc. I also liaise with Counsel's clerks. As well as this, I serve numerous legal documents on both the Tribunal and Local Authority on a daily basis

Laura Middleditch, Paralegal

My name is Laura Middleditch. I am married to a farmer and we have two children. I am a Paralegal, ILEX qualified, with over 12 years experience in private and public legal practice. I took a break from the legal profession to raise my children. During this period I was also a Parish Councillor, Trustee of a local Charitable Nursery School and became fully qualified as a Teaching Assistant. My youngest child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs. In 2008, Melinda successfully represented us in an Appeal to Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal. The Statement was fully amended and a school placement at a Specialist Speech & Language School in Surrey awarded.

Irene Stephenson, Paralegal

My name is Irene Stephenson and I am part of the paralegal team: I qualified as a teacher and then gained an external Law degree from London University in 1980. I was involved in teaching for several years and then decided on a career change, and worked for a major broking house, Willis Group, in the City, where I became a director.

After the birth of my youngest daughter, I again became involved in Education and worked as a supply teacher. Following this, I was asked to become customer development manager for Cambridge International Examinations for several years. Latterly, I was manager of the Court of Protection Team in a local solicitor's office. The opportunity at SEN legal combines the totality of my previous work experience - education, business skills and extensive client contact.

Karen McAtamney, Solicitor

My name is Karen McAtamney, I qualified as a Solicitor in 2008 after joining SEN Legal in March 2006 as a Trainee. I obtained a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London which I studied part-time between 2003-2005, after achieving a 2.1 in jurisprudence at Merton College, Oxford where I studied between 1999-2002. I am primarily based in Bury St Edmunds and am experienced in all aspects of the practice's work. I tend to be heavily involved in the cases going to the Upper Tribunal, High Court and Court of Appeal. A skilled draftsman who regularly prepares formal submissions to the First-tier Tribunal SEND on behalf of parents; these include documents setting out a parent's case in full as well as applications to appeal against decisions of the First-tier Tribunal. I have a talent for identifying and addressing issues arising in appeals at an early stage. Additionally, I have strong communication skills and am very good at explaining the often complex law in this area in a way that makes sense to individual parents.

Chantal Percival, Paralegal

My name is Chantal Percival and I joined SEN Legal in September 2010 as a Paralegal after completing her EU Law degree at the University of Leicester. I am currently studying the Legal Practice Course (LPC) part-time at BPP Law School, London, as part of my further qualifications to become a solicitor.

Adam Friel

My name is Adam Friel, I am a non-practicing Barrister called to the Bar in July 2009. I am currently transferring my qualification to a Solicitor of England and Wales and currently work as an Executive Paralegal for SEN Legal, this role involves liaising with clients, taking instructions, drafting correspondence, initiating Judicial Review proceedings, Appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal, claims of Disability Discrimination, making Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act searches. The majority of my work for SEN Legal relates to Special Educational Needs Appeals. I am very passionate about this field as I am dyslexic myself.

I have also worked as a Legal Adviser for the Education Rights charity, SOS!SEN, in a number of pro bono cases. I am passionate about helping children with disabilities and their families to get the support they desperately need. My role includes conducting bi-monthly advice centres for parents of children with disabilities. I also undertake cases for the charity where I advise them on how to proceed, and represent parents in Annual Reviews with Local Authorities and/or at the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.

Sarah Hook, Accounts

My name is Sarah Hook (Accounts), I have worked at SEN Legal for 5 years undertaking all financial work for the company. You will be likely to speak to me when you call to pay your invoice by credit or debit card, also, if you have any queries regarding your bill you will need to speak with me.

Debbie Lee, Office Manager

My name is Debbie Lee and I joined SEN Legal in April 2007. I am the Office Manager here and first point of contact for all new enquiries. I will try to answer any questions you have in relation to the process of instructing our Practice to represent you and your family in matters relating to the Special Educational Needs and/or Disability issues you are experiencing

Hana Tregerova, Admin Assistant

My name is Hana Tregerova and I have been working for SEN Legal since October 2008 as a full time Admin Assistant. My duties are to provide administrative support to the Solicitors and the rest of the SEN staff. It is my responsibility to ensure the timely completion of the administrative aspects relating to each client's case, this includes processing the incoming and outgoing post, filing, photocopying, faxing. I am also likely to be the first voice you hear when you call in as I also undertake reception duties.