Our People

Sufe Miah

Senior Partner

Sufe Miah is the Senior Partner at Samuel Phillips Law.  He has a wealth of knowledge in law after training and working within a 100 year old law firm in North Yorkshire for a number of years.

Sufe aims to provide accessible, high quality legal services to businesses and the general public through a no nonsense approach, whilst offering the most cost effective solution.

Sharon Boyd

CEO

Sharon joined the firm in 2017 having enjoyed a successful career in the Business Support, Engineering and Education sectors.

Prior to joining Samuel Phillips Law, Sharon had supported the firm in 2009 as part of her regional role as a Specialist Business Advisor for the Law and Professional Services sectors.  From 2008 until 2011, she worked with most of the high profile law firms in the North East, to support them with business strategy, turnaround and workforce development following the financial crash.  She built a great relationship with the firm and was delighted when the opportunity to join the firm arose.

Her background also includes the project management of a number of Government and EU funds for North East SME’s and OMB’s to support international trade, workforce development and research and development, as well as her work as an adviser to a large utility company and regional airport.  She is very customer-focused, people orientated and commercially astute and this in turn brings a balance to the firm.

Latterly, just before joining the firm, Sharon held a position as an Innovation Specialist working on a number of very exciting, disruptive and high profile projects with businesses across the North East.  These skills are integral to the transformation of our firm as digital services start to encroach into the law sector.

Sharon oversees the running of the business and is responsible for building key relationships and collaborative partnerships.  If you would welcome the opportunity to discuss business to business opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact her.

Robert Gibson

Senior Consultant - Employment Law

Robert is a Senior Consultant at Samuel Phillips and specialises in employment and business matters. He advises in relation to employment and shareholder disputes, including pensions and related issues. He deals with contracts and discrimination claims, as well as advising businesses on methods of avoiding disputes. He also provides training on employment and business-related matters. Having considerable experience in running a business, he understands how businesses operate. He is experienced in Shareholder Agreements, LLP and Company Disputes and business transfers., whether as going concerns or insolvencies.

He works within the Health and Education Sector. He has represented Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Police in employment-related matters for a number of years. He has conducted a number of high profile discrimination claims.

Robert grew up in the North East, attending Durham Choristers School, and the Newcastle Royal Grammar School. He graduated from Newcastle University with a 2:1 in law in 1981 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1984. He is a Deputy District Judge and a Past President of Newcastle Law Society. He is also an ACAS approved arbitrator. He is also a keen rugby supporter having been involved in the sport for many years.

Qualifications and Memberships
LLB hons[2.1] Newcastle University
Past President Newcastle Law Society
Deputy District Judge
Employment Lawyers Association

Jennifer Goldstein

Senior Consultant – Private and Public Family Law

Jennifer has established herself as highly respected family law practitioner in the North-East of England. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1992 and has specialised in family law ever since.

She advises on all areas of private family law including divorce and separation, cohabitation disputes, probate disputes, nuptial agreements, freezing injunctions, jurisdictional disputes, enforcements and appeals. Her experience in financial cases includes those involving substantial assets, including agricultural land, pension assets, overseas assets, as well as business and trust assets. Jennifer works alongside experts from other fields including forensic accountants, pension actuaries and wealth managers to ensure the best outcome for all of her clients.

Jennifer also specialises in public family law, where a local authority has raised concerns about the welfare of a child. She advises and represents Guardians, children, parents and other family members in public law proceedings. Jennifer has held the Law Society Children Law Accreditation, for over 25 years, which is a recognised quality standard for practitioners representing children in public law proceedings.

Jennifer prides herself on delivering a bespoke service to each of her clients. Her approach is to understand and focus on her clients’ needs and priorities. As a business owner herself for over 20 years, she has a commercial approach to financial issues.  Jennifer has significant court experience and will often conduct her own cases in court.  Jenny is known for her thorough preparation.  Tenacious when needed, she is praised by her clients for her down to earth and sensitive approach. Her reviews speak for themselves

As a member of Resolution, a leading organisation for family justice professionals, she adopts a non-confrontational yet firm approach and strives to achieve out of court settlements in a conciliatory, commercial and cost-effective way.

Also, Jennifer is a Family Mediation Council and National Family Mediation accredited registered Mediator.  Jennifer offers to mediate disputes as an alternative dispute resolution.  Mediation can enable people in dispute to resolve all issues quickly and in cost efficient way.  The final agreement is usually made into a final court order.

Jennifer was the first Solicitor in the North East to be accredited and licensed as a Family Law Arbitrator as an alternative to going through the court process. The Arbitration hearing takes place in the office of Samuel Phillips Law with or without representation and the Arbritrator issues a considered award which automatically is made into the final court order.

Jennifer is supported by her personal assistant Alex Buck.

Sarah Ward

Partner – Divorce and Family

“Best divorce lawyer in the North” and “Wonder Woman of the Divorce World.”

Sarah joined Samuel Phillips Law in 2019.  Prior to joining, Sarah was a Director at one of the UK’s leading family law firms, who specialised in complex and high value cases and had been involved in some of the highest profile cases of recent years.

Sarah advises on all legal issues resulting from the breakdown of a relationship and also advises on pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. She has significant experience in dealing with complex and high-value financial disputes, often involving trusts, off-shore assets, pre-acquired assets, inherited wealth and hidden assets.

Sarah also advises on private children law matters. This includes residence and contact disputes, relocation, parental alienation and financial claims on behalf of unmarried parents.

Her clients range from diverse backgrounds, including stay at home parents, business owners, financiers, legal and medical professionals, sports professionals and media personalities. With a reputation for being a tough negotiator where required, Sarah is committed to achieving the best outcome for all of her clients.

Having been divorced and with a young family herself, Sarah understands the difficulties faced by clients during a relationship breakdown. She quickly builds a rapport with clients, offering robust legal and practical advice in a cost-effective, constructive and compassionate way. She is highly praised by her clients and the majority of her work is through recommendations from her former clients “a solicitor like I have never experienced before and a superstar!”

Her reviews speak for themselves https://www.reviewsolicitors.co.uk/22208320/sarah-josephine-ward

Sarah is supported by Hannah Ralphs and the duo are described as “a two-woman army worth their weight in gold”, “the best” and “the team you want on your side”.

Education and Training

After reading Business and Economics, Sarah completed the GDL and LPC (with Distinction) at Northumbria University. She undertook her training contract with a Legal 100 firm based in Mayfair, London. Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2004.

Sara Stockdale

Partner - Private and Public Family Law

Sara has established herself as highly respected family law practitioner in the North East of England. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and has specialised in family law ever since.

She advises on all areas of private family law including divorce and separation, child arrangements, cohabitation disputes, nuptial agreements, jurisdictional disputes, enforcements and appeals. Her experience in financial cases includes those involving substantial assets, including overseas assets, as well as business and trust assets. Sara works alongside experts from other fields including forensic accountants, pension actuaries and wealth managers to ensure the best outcome for all of her clients. She holds the Law Society Family Law accreditation.

Sara also specialises in public family law, where a local authority has raised concerns about the welfare of a child. She advises and represents Guardians, children, parents and other family members in public law proceedings. Sara holds the Law Society Children Law accreditation which is a recognised quality standard for practitioners representing children in public law proceedings.

Sara prides herself on delivering a bespoke service to each of her clients. Her approach is to understand and focus on her clients’ needs and priorities. As a member of Resolution, a leading organisation for family justice professionals, she adopts a non-confrontational approach and strives to achieve out of court settlements in a conciliatory, commercial and cost-effective way.

Tenacious when needed, she is praised by her clients for her down to earth and sensitive approach. Her reviews speak for themselves.

Sara is supported by her personal assistant Hannah Ralphs.

Asam Khan

Legal Director & Solicitor - Commercial Property, Corporate, Restructuring & Insolvency

Asam Khan is a Legal Director at Samuel Phillips Law.

Helen Griffiths

Senior Associate and Head of Residential Property

Helen is a Chartered Legal Executive and residential conveyancing specialist. She joined Samuel Phillips Law on 1^st February 2021.

Prior to joining Samuel Phillips Law, Helen was an Associate at one of Durham’s leading law firms.

Having started her career as a legal secretary Helen undertook her Level 3 and Level 6 Diploma in Law & Practice with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives while working full time and with a young family. After many years of hard work and dedication Helen achieved Fellowship status in 2016.

Helen advises on all aspects of residential conveyancing including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases for both registered and unregistered properties. She also advises on Help to Buy and Shared Ownership Schemes as well as Help to Buy, Lifetime and Forces Help to Buy Isa’s. Helen is also able to provide advice in relation to leasehold extensions following both Statutory and private lease extension procedures.

Helen has a keen interest in residential development and in particular, small scale bespoke developments. She is able to advise on site acquisition, site set up and infrastructure, and ultimately the sale of individual plots whether built, self-build or serviced plots.

Outside of work Helen enjoys spending time with her family walking in the Lake District. She has recently discovered a flare for cooking, enjoying many new recipes, most of which have been successful.

Thomas Cumming

Senior Associate and Head of Litigation and Employment

Thomas acts for businesses, entrepreneurs and charities ranging from multinationals to SMEs. He provides strategic and pragmatic advice in relation to broad span of commercial disputes with particular experience in contract and shareholder disputes, professional negligence actions and contentious property.

Having trained at a regional firm in Northumberland, Thomas joined Samuel Phillips Law in November 2019 quickly developing a reputation for his sharp and pragmatic approach to disputes paired with meticulous preparation and effective negotiation skills.

Thomas has considerable experience of mediation in the context of commercial litigation, and is a keen proponent of its use, where appropriate, as a means of resolving disputes cost-effectively and creatively.

Recent Cases:

• Lead solicitor acting on behalf of landowners in a complex dispute with receivers and multiple interested parties following the breach of both a Joint Venture Agreement and Option Agreement by a third party. The dispute involved multiple parties, intermediaries and lawyers in addition to tight deadlines. Thomas led a team to ensure an amicable resolution involving refinancing to avoid the landowners losing both their home and a significant investment opportunity.
• Represented a professional Deputy in a without notice application for a freezing injunction following a gift from a mother who allegedly lacked capacity to her sons. Obtained a freezing injunction against one son and a proprietary injunction against the other.
• Advised the UK arm of a multinational company on a multimillion-pound settlement agreement following the decommissioning of one of their sites.
• Acting on behalf of a property broker to recover commission following a £5.2m acquisition of a site.
• Represented a prominent local charity with an annual turnover of £15m. Thomas negotiated and advised the charity on a complex decarbonisation project with a local authority.
• Represented an individual in a dispute with local developer following significant structural damage to their property. Thomas successfully negotiated a settlement north of £325,000.

Qualifications:

LLB (Hons) (Teesside); Legal Practice Course (Northumbria).

Hobbies & Interests:

Outside of the office, Thomas will likely be found exploring the Northumberland coastline with the help of his Labrador, Henry, or following Formula 1. Thomas has aspirations of visiting a new circuit each season following a trip to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 2022. Next up is Silverstone in July 2023!

Thomas is also a Trustee of Dragonfly Cancer Trust, a local charity who work with specialist cancer treatment centres, hospitals, hospices and families across the UK to provide support for young patients with terminal cancer, receiving palliative treatment. More information on Dragonfly Cancer Trust can be found here: https://dragonflycancertrust.org/

Felicity Nelson

Senior Associate and Head of Wills, Probate & Trusts

Felicity graduated from Northumbria University with a First Class Masters Degree in Law in 2017 and was admitted as a Solicitor in January 2020. Felicity completed her training contract at a local firm where she gained experience in Private Client and Residential Conveyancing. Felicity joined Samuel Phillips in 2020 to specialise in Wills, Probate and Trusts. Having a background in Conveyancing, Felicity is keen to continue to educate home buyers on the importance of making Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and works closely with the Residential Property team in order to assist clients with these matters alongside their property transaction.

Felicity also has experience in administering estates and assisting elderly clients with their private client matters and is an accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).  Find out more about the benefits of using a SFE accredited lawyer here.

Outside of work, Felicity enjoys spending time with family and friends and can often be found sipping prosecco on a weekend. Felicity is also a keen dancer, having achieved grade 6 ballet alongside other disciplines. Felicity also competed in dance at University and remains close to her team mates to date.

Paul Lott

Associate - Employment Law

Paul is an Associate Solicitor in the Employment Law Department at Samuel Phillips Law, and has been qualified and specialised in Employment Law for over 10 years, working within both the private and charitable sector.

Within the roles Paul has occupied, he has advised and represented both employers and employees, and currently has longstanding relationships with a number of businesses and organisations based primarily in the north-east but also present elsewhere in the country, including national organisations.

Paul deals with contentious issues including advice on dismissals and associated internal disciplinary and grievance procedures, plus Employment Tribunal litigation, and has successfully represented clients in the Employment Tribunal in various claims, including unfair/wrongful dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, unlawful deductions, contractual disputes, and TUPE transfers.

Paul also deals with non-contentious issues, including the drafting and advising on employment contracts, staff handbooks, policies and procedures, and other documentation, plus guidance on TUPE transfers, flexible working, redundancy processes, and restructuring exercises.

In addition, he also advises both employers and employees in relation to Settlement Agreements.

Through the Biz-Care Employment Scheme offered by Samuel Phillips Law and engaged by many of the businesses Paul has built relationships with, he is able to provide day-to-day advice on the range of issues that affect businesses of all sizes.

Outside of Work

In addition to his role with Samuel Phillips Law, Paul is also a Deputy Chair of the Trustees of South Tyneside Citizens Advice, an organisation he has worked closely with for over 10 years.

A native of the north-east, Paul is a season ticket holder for Newcastle United and has been so for many years, and feels that he must stress that the majority were prior to the recent takeover. A young family has limited social activities recently, but when other commitments permit, Paul enjoys playing different sports with varying levels of success, and attending sporting and other events, and is hopeful that a return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival will soon be on the cards.

Qualifications and Memberships

LLB (Hons) Exempting Degree (2:1) – Northumbria University

Employment Lawyers Association

Peter Durham

Associate - Wills, Probate & Trusts

Peter graduated from the University of Derby in 2013 and was admitted as a solicitor in 2017.

Peter joined the team at Samuel Phillips to follow a passion to work within the field of wills, probate and trusts having had experience during his training contract. Peter has had experience with will drafting, administration of estates, powers of attorney and court of protection matters. He is keen to work alongside clients to assist and guide them with these delicate and emotive matters.

Prior to joining Samuel Phillips, Peter worked as a solicitor in the residential conveyancing team for several years at another North East firm. He received multiple commendations from clients for professionalism, knowledge, approachability, and manner. He is keen to use this experience to work alongside the conveyancing team at Samuel Phillips to assist in transactions which require the input of a Wills, Probate and Trusts Solicitor.

Outside of work Peter enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling around the country to meet them. Peter is also a keen (amateur) CrossFit enthusiast and is often found at the gym on weekends.

Beth Courtney-Walker

Associate - Family Law

Beth Courtney-Walker is an Associate Solicitor in the Family Law team at Samuel Phillips Law.

Olivia Hutchinson

Solicitor - Family Law

Olivia worked as a family law paralegal soon after graduating from University with a Masters in 2021. She began her Training Contract at a regional firm gaining experience in family law and wills and probate.

Olivia joined Samuel Phillips in April 2023 as part of the family team, working closely with Partners Sara Stockdale and Sarah Ward.

With Olivia’s background and experience in family law, she has a keen interest in divorce and separation matters and private law children matters.

Gurjeet Kaur Singh

Trainee Solicitor - Residential Conveyancing

Gurjeet joined Samuel Phillips Law in October 2022 and commenced a training contract with the firm in June 2023.

Zeshaan Mahmood

Trainee Solicitor - Residential Conveyancing

Aaron Chaddha

Trainee Solicitor - Commercial Property, Corporate, Restructuring and Insolvency

Brooke March

Trainee Solicitor - Wills, Probate and Trusts

Millie Eason

Paralegal - Employment and Litigation Department

Kerry Walker

Conveyancing Assistant

Kerry Walker is a PA and Conveyancing Assistant in the Residential Property team at Samuel Phillips Law, joining in ….

Caitlin Armstrong

Conveyancer

Caitlin is an experienced conveyancer working on all aspects of residential conveyancing including sales and purchases of unregistered land, leasehold, and shared ownership matters.

Prior to joining Samuel Phillips Law, Caitlin has worked at local firms whilst she undertook her Conveyancing training.

Outside of work Caitlin enjoys watching and playing football and spending time with her family and dog.  Caitlin is keen to see the world and often travels throughout the year.

Rebecca Cooper

Conveyancing Assistant

Rebecca Cooper is a Conveyancing Assistant at Samuel Phillips Law Firm.

Claire Fenwick

Group Marketing Manager

Claire has over 20 years of extensive experience in legal marketing and joined Samuel Phillips Law in October 2022 as Group Marketing Manager.  She works with the Owner, Chief Executive and Partners to design and deliver successful marketing campaigns and business development strategy. She also leads the marketing of our sister firms Hathaways the Law Firm in Gateshead and Low Fell and The Miah Solicitors in Leeds.

Prior to joining Samuel Phillips, she was Marketing and Business Development Manager at another commercial law firm in Newcastle where she spent 9 years and before that was Marketing Manager at Northumbria University Law School for 12 years.

She is a member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM) and sits on the advisory board of Northumbria University Law School.

Catherine Browne

Receptionist and Administration Assistant

Dana Bland

Receptionist and Administration Assistant

Hannah Ralphs

Legal Assistant (Divorce and Family Law) and PA to Sarah Ward and Beth Courtney-Walker

Hannah joined Samuel Phillips Law in 2016. Prior to this she was employed by HM Courts and Tribunal Service for many years. She is highly regarded by her clients who say she is  “simply the best”, “efficient, knowledgeable, gutsy, tenacious and caring” and “nothing short of exceptional”.

Her reviews speak for themselves https://www.reviewsolicitors.co.uk/53506444/hannah-ralphs

Hannah supports Partner, Sarah Ward, and the duo are described as “a two-woman army worth their weight in gold”,  “the best” and “the team you want on your side”.

Alex Buck

Legal Assistant (Divorce and Family Law) and PA to Jennifer Goldstein

Laura Gibson

Legal Secretary - Wills Probate and Trusts (Maternity Leave)

Laura began working in law firms in 2004. Laura chose to join Samuel Phillips Law in 2011 to follow her ambition to work for a well-established city centre law firm where the work would be fast-paced and varied.

Laura is our Practice Support Coordinator and is responsible for a wide range of functions within the firm including HR, IT support and the overall management of the practice, she also assists and/or organises events for the firm. Laura has played a key role in a number of strategic projects for the firm such as the move to our Grey Street offices and the implementation of an IT upgrade and associated case management system.

Laura works closely with our CEO, Sharon Boyd and is integral to ensuring that the firm runs in a smooth and effective manner.  Laura also has extensive secretarial experience and before becoming our Practice Support Coordinator, she was the PA to one of our Partners  in the Employment Department.

Hazel Chapman

Legal Secretary - Wills, Probate and Trusts

Catherine Wilcox

Legal Assistant (Divorce and Family Law) and PA to Sara Stockdale

Annabel Hatch

Legal Secretary - Wills, Probate and Trusts