Staff
Please find below a list of our current members of staff. Click on their name to see more information about them.
- Andrew Brumhill – Partner/Road Traffic Expert
One of the three founding partners of First Defence Solicitors in 2005 along with Derek Johashen and Simon Campbell.
Andy became a solicitor in 1996. He has specialised exclusively in criminal defence work in Bedford and has developed a huge client base in this area. Andy has dealt with a number of high profile murder, fraud and human trafficking cases with notable success.
Andy is well known for working with the disenfranchised and has become increasingly concerned for those suffering from Drug and Alcohol dependency. In 2006 he was appointed as a Trustee for the James Kingham Project which is a community rehabilitation project for people with alcohol problems.
Andy is a Duty Solicitor and is a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Andy is the Partner responsible for the Bedford Office.
- Simon Campbell – Partner
One of the three founding partners of First Defence Solicitors in 2005 along with Derek Johashen and Andrew Brumhill
Simon has been a solicitor since 1998, he has developed an extensive criminal defence practice since that time, save for a short time with the Crown Prosecution Service where he gained an invaluable insight into the working of the police and prosecution.
Simon is a Duty Solicitor and has become a Regional Duty Solicitor Committee member as a representative for Bedford since 2006. He is a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
In 2007 Simon was elected as President of the Bedfordshire Law Society. He is a member of the Criminal Law Solicitors' Association.
Simon is responsible for the firm's executive and business operations
- Derek Johashen – Managing Partner/Solicitor Advocate
One of the three founding partners of First Defence Solicitors in 2005 along with Andrew Brumhill and Simon Campbell
Derek was formerly an equity partner with Pictons solicitors, where he was Head of Criminal practice and a member of the Board of management.
He has been a practising solicitor since 1988. He is a duty solicitor. He was Chairman of Bedford Duty Scheme and a member of the Regional Duty Solicitor Committee from 2001–2006.
Derek is a Higher Court Advocate and is therefore permitted to appear in all criminal courts. He is a member of the Solicitors' Association of Higher Court Advocates.
From 2002–2006 Derek was the Chairman of the Bedford Citizen's Advice Bureau.
He is a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and has been one of the three initial Quality Assessors to the Scheme since 2001. Derek has been appointed as a Peer Reviewer from 2006. Derek has delivered training to lawyers and associated professions, he has written a number of articles which have been published in legal periodicals. He is a member of the Criminal Law Solicitors' Association
Derek is responsible for the firm's strategic and business planning operations.
- Matt Aldwinkle – Solicitor/Prison Law Specialist
Matt was previously a criminal defence solicitor at Borneo Linnells (Solicitors) Bedford and Pictons (Solicitors) Bedford. He has been qualified since 2000. He is a duty solicitor, and a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Matt is a specialist in Prison Law and has obtained the Institute of Prison Law Accreditation in Prison Law. He is the Head of our Prison Law Team.
Matt has been a lifeguard, he has been a member of GB under 20's Athletics Squad and has attended international meetings. He has been an East Midlands Rugby team player and a Bedford Athletic Rugby Club XV player. Matt is also been a Kimbolton Cricket Club 1st XI player.
- Jane Anderson – Solicitor/Youth Court Specialist
Jane was previously a partner at Woodfine Batcheldor Solicitors, Bedford. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and is a Duty Solicitor. She is also a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme. Jane is a committee member of the local Bedford Law Society and has been its social secretary for the since 2002.
Jane is a Governor of Bedford High School and a member of the Harpur Trust Rowing Committee.
- Victoria Barke – Trainee Solicitor
Victoria has undertaken a number of placements during her time in university including legal research posts, and various Solicitors' Offices and Barristers' Chambers. She was previously a Reparation Supervisor for Oxfordshire Youth Offending Team.
Victoria has achieved a 1st Class Honours degree in law from Keele University.
- Shauna Broadbent – Senior Secretary
Shauna is the Senior Secretary assisting the Northampton team. Shauna has many years experience in this work having previously worked for Franklins Solicitors in their Criminal Department.
- Sheila Brown – Senior Secretary
Senior Secretary assisting the Northampton Branch.
Sheila is the very cheerful and welcoming secretary at the Northampton office who puts our clients and other visitors at ease. Sheila has many years of experience in solicitors practices and knows just about everything there is to know about how to provide an excellent service.
- Fiona Brown – Receptionist / Archivist
Fiona is the Receptionist / Archivist at the Bedford Office.
- Victoria Clent – Partnership Manager
Victoria has over 8 years experience as a barristers clerk in both London and Provincial Chambers. She joined First Defence in 2006 and has since moved in to a management role assisting with accounts and human resources matters.
- Simon Cocksedge – Solicitor
As a former equity partner at Sharman Law (previously Sharman & Trethewy solicitors), Simon has been a leading criminal defence solicitor since 1974. Simon is a Duty Solicitor. He is a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme. Simon is a committee member of the local Bedford Law Society, and is a former President.
He was elected to Bedford Borough Council and is an Alderman of Bedford Borough. He is a member of the Criminal Law Solicitors' Association. Simon is a member of the Bedford Magistrates' Court User Committee.
Simon is a member of Lords Cricket Club.
- Lisa Collins – Solicitor Advocate
Lisa was previously a solicitor with Pictons (Solicitors) Milton Keynes. She achieved a 1st Class Honours degree in 1994 whereupon she travelled the world extensively from 1994 – 1997. She qualified as a solicitor in 2002. She has been involved in all types of criminal defence work including Serious Fraud Panel work in the past.
Lisa is a Higher Court Advocate and is therefore permitted to appear in all Criminal Courts.
Lisa believes passionately that individuals have the right to the best possible defence which she always strives to deliver. Lisa is a Duty Solicitor. She is also a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
- Sharon Cooper – Secretary
Sharon is a Senior Secretary to Amanda Francis and prides herself on work of the highest quality.
- Zoe Ferguson-Lees – Secretary
Zoe is a Senior Secretary to Jane Anderson and Niamh Gillen. She has a vast experience of the work of a criminal defence lawyer having worked for Pictons solicitors and Park Woodfine in Bedford previously.
- Bernie Francis – Police Station Adviser and Paralegal
Bernie has been appearing for a number of years in police stations for persons who are detained and investigated. He has been involved in criminal defence work since 1993 having worked for Hilliers Solicitors (Bedford) and from 2003 for Sharman Law Solicitors (Bedford). He is accredited by the Law Society to give police station advice and is a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Bernie is part of the First Defence Arrest Response Team which advises people who are investigated for criminal offences.
- Amanda Francis – Crown Court Litigator
Amanda has a wealth of experience having worked for a number of years in criminal defence work for various practices, latterly RJ Osborne and Co in Northamptonshire. She is hugely respected in the local Crown Courts and with other professionals and among our clients for the quality of her work.
Amanda is passionate about her work, she strenuously defends the rights of the individual.
- Niamh Gillen – Solicitor
Niamh joined First Defence from Woodfine Batcheldor Solicitors in Bedford early in 2006. She is a Duty Solicitor and appears daily in Magistrates' Courts and police stations.
- Paula Guest – Crown Court Litigator
A very experienced lawyer conducting work in the Crown Court Team. Paula is currently a fully accredited police station representative seeking qualification as a Legal Executive. Paula previously worked for many years at a Luton Criminal Defence firm before moving to First Defence.
- Colin Hobbs – Police Station Adviser and Paralegal
Colin has a vast knowledge of Criminal Defence work having served a total of 14 years in various firms of solicitors. Colin was previously at RJ Osborne & Co before joining First Defence solicitors. He has advised in the full range of cases up to and including the most serious murders, rapes and fraud cases.
Colin is very highly recommended and is well thought of by professionals and clients alike.
- Andy Hopkinson – Solicitor
Andy joined First Defence in the summer of 2006 having formerly worked with Franklins Solicitors in Northampton. Andy is the Head of the Northampton Office and is a fully qualified duty solicitor.
- Zoe Hull – Archivist
Zoe is the Archivist at the Bedford Office.
- Peter Johashen – Head of Arrest Response Team
Peter has been involved in criminal defence work since 1996. Initially he ran his own business providing legal services to various firms of solicitors in Thames Valley and Bedfordshire. In 2001 Peter joined Pictons Solicitors (Bedford) where he became a specialist police station adviser. He is accredited by the Law Society to give police station advice and is a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Peter is Head of the First Defence Arrest Response Team which advises people who are investigated for criminal offences. He is responsible for coordinating our operations in the various police stations in the areas in which we have offices, and further a field.
- Harwinder Kaur – Secretary
Harwinder is a Senior Secretary to Derek Johashen. She has many years of excellent experience and is always on hand to assist with your enquiries.
- Hardeep Lall – Police Station Adviser and Paralegal
Hardeep has had considerable experience in legal practices; she has assisted in Housing, Immigration, Asylum Mental Health, Human Rights and Criminal Defence matters.
Hardeep is a member of the Society of Asian Lawyers, the Mencap team. She speaks reads and writes fluently in Punjabi.
- Clare Langley – Crown Court Litigator
Clare has been involved in legal work since 2000. Her last employers were Park Woodfine Solicitors. She has already achieved a Merit award in the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) Paralegal studies and is currently completing the ILEX Professional Higher Diploma in Law.
Clare is dedicated to the work that we do, she believes in protecting and advancing the rights of the individual charged with criminal offences.
Clare is part of the First Defence Magistrates' Court Case Management Team and is responsible for preparing these cases for trial or sentence.
- Gemma Latty – Partnership Secretary
Gemma joined First Defence having previously been with Hawkins Russell Jones Solicitors and Pictons Solicitors and she is the Partnership Secretary.
- Gill Legg – Secretary
Gill is a Senior Secretary to Simon Cocksedge.
- Parminder Matharu – Solicitor
Parminder joined First Defence from Pictons Solicitors and is a solicitor operating out of the Wellingborough Office.
- Sheila Maughan – Senior Secretary
Sheila is the Senior Secretary assisting the Wellingborough Team. Sheila has had considerable experience in solicitors firms and is therefore able to provide an excellent service to our clients at times when a sensible common sense approach is vital.
- Clair McCarthy – Solicitor
Clair has been a criminal defence solicitor since 2001, but prior to that has been involved in legal advice work from 1992. Her previous employment was at Franklins Solicitors (Milton Keynes). Clair is a Duty Solicitor. She is also a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Clair ensures that that the Human Rights of all to those that have dealings with the police and courts are advanced and that the rights of the individual are protected at all times.
- Michael McDona – Solicitor
- Dover Nicola – Crown Court Litigator
Nicola previously worked for a local criminal defence firm and obtained tears of valuable experience. She undertakes work in the Crown Court litigation team and supports the prison law team where she has considerable previous success.
- Margaret Paxton – Paralegal
Margaret joined us having worked for many years in a firm of solicitors in Bedford. She is a paralegal in the Crown Court Team.
Margaret is often seen in the local Crown Courts in Luton and Northampton assisting people in circumstances which will be very difficult for them personally. She provides considerable support to them.
Having witnessed many trials from the serious murder allegations to the more commonplace offences Margaret is well qualified to lend her support to Barristers, Advocates and clients.
- Kym Priestly – Secretary
Kym is a Senoir Secretary in the Crown Court Team and is responsible for the billing functions of that team.
- Rachael Purvey – Office Junior
Rachael is the Office Junior at our Northampton Office and has been with First Defence since March 2008.
- Stephanie Robinson – Secretary
Stephanie is a Senior Secretary to Andy Brumhill.
- Rachael Seaman – Human Resources Assistant
Rachael is the Human Resources Assistant and has been with First Defence since January 2006.
- Donna Sheehy – Secretary
Donna is a Senior Secretary in the Crown Court Team. She has previously worked at local solicitor firms and brings with her a very focussed approach to the work that we do.
- Tony Sherwood – Solicitor
Tony was a partner in the Wellingborough firm of Sherwood Dunham. He has a huge reputation as a leading defence lawyer in that town. Tony is a duty solicitor and is also a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Tony is a consultant to First Defence.
- Dan Simister – Solicitor
Dan qualified as a solicitor in 1997. He was previously a partner at Park Woodfine Solicitors where he headed the Criminal Department. Prior to his time at Park Woodfine he was a partner and head of Criminal Department for Hilliers Solicitors (Kempston). Dan is a Duty Solicitor. He is also a member of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.
Dan believes passionately that individuals have the right to the best possible defence which he always strives to deliver.
Dan is a committee member of the local Bedford Law Society and a Governor of Riseley Lower School, Bedford.
- Joanne Simons – Paralegal
Joanne is a paralegal in the Crown Court Team. She is often seen in the Crown courts assisting clients and Counsel alike. She will often take statements and prepare cases for hearing.
- Sally Smith – Senior Secretary
Sally is the Senior Secretary assisting the Wellingborough Team. Sally has worked for many years in Criminal Defence firms and brings humour and compassion to a difficult and demanding role.
- Margaret Smith – Admin Assistant
Margaret is the administration assistant in the Wellingborough office.
- Paul Tweddle – Solicitor Advocate
Paul is a Solicitor Advocate based in our Northampton Office. He appears dailiy in Magistrates' and Crown Courts and at the police station where he brings a number of years experience to the benefit of our clients in the sound advice that he gives to them.