Meet the Team
Pictured above (left-right): Louise Beresford, Jack Kelly, Victoria O'Callaghan, Rebecca Ward,
Brendan Fleming, Lucy de Vincent-Humphreys, Michaela Beale, Rachel Porter, Mark Kamlow
Brendan Fleming
PUBLIC LAW AND CHILDREN'S PROCEEDINGS
Owner of the company and head of the Public Law Department, Brendan started practising law in 1966 at just 17 years of age and established his company in 1982.
A criminal lawyer throughout much of his career, Brendan has also practised civil law; but it is family law that has always been his first love. His firm belief is that children are better brought up by their natural parents and family; and his company has a strict policy of not acting for the local authority in care proceedings. The firm represent parents and families all over the country and Brendan is proud of their success rates.
Indy Thind
A solicitor of considerable experience, Indy is on the Children's Panel and is developing a high degree of expertise acting on behalf of children in care proceedings. Indy has recently been awarded the Higher Rights of Audience so he is able to work with the Queen's Counsel. He joined Brendan Fleming in April 2009 and is looking to further develop his specialism.
Michael Green
Another experienced solicitor, Michael has worked in both criminal and family law. He joined Brendan Fleming in 2008 to assist in the public law department, acting on behalf of children and parents, and is a great asset to the company. Michael is also on the Children's Panel.
Pauline Warrington
A very experienced legal executive, Pauline rejoined Brendan Fleming in 2007. She is highly rated by experts at substance abuse agencies, from whom she receives a large number of referrals. A very experienced Legal Executive, Pauline has been in the field of public law for over 15 years.
Contact Pauline directly on 07725 219 013.
Rachel joined the firm in September 2006 having moved to Birmingham from Liverpool. She had completed a degree in Law at Liverpool John Moores University, achieving a 2.1 in June 2004. Rachel then went on to complete a full time Legal Practice Course which she successfully accomplished. The practical learning that the Legal Practice Course offered further confirmed her interest in Family Law. Therefore, Rachel was excited to be afforded the opportunity to work at Brendan Fleming Solicitors, a well-established and renowned family firm in Birmingham.
Rachel commenced her employment as a paralegal and enjoyed having the responsibility of a number of adult care cases from very early on. After 9 months in this position, her training contract was registered and she started life as a Trainee Solicitor. Rachel subsequently qualified as a Solicitor in April 2009 and she has remained at the firm since. Rachel currently has her own case load of adult care cases and conducts hearings on a daily basis on behalf of both adult and child clients of the firm. She thoroughly enjoys this area of the law and she plans to apply for membership of the Children's Panel, which she will be able to do upon completion of 3 years post-qualification experience.
In her spare time, Rachel likes to keep active and enjoys running and taking part in charity races. The Birmingham half-marathon has become a regular event on Rachel's calendar! She also loves to travel and socialise with friends and family. Rachel has a promising career ahead of her at Brendan Fleming Solicitors.
Contact Rachel directly on 07725 218 934.
Mark Kamlow
Mark is a qualified solicitor who is proud to have started his career at Brendan Fleming Solicitors. Mark acts in a wide range of family and child law matters, acting on behalf of parents in both public and private Children Act proceedings as well as helping people to obtain injunctions, whether non-molestation orders or occupation orders.
Contact Mark directly on 07725 218 939.
Vicky O'Callaghan
Vicky O’Callaghan joined Brendan Fleming in June 2009 after completing her Law Degree at Coventry University and then her Legal Practice Course at the Birmingham College of Law. Vicky joined Brendan Fleming as a paralegal and was quickly given the opportunity to be responsible for her own case load and now deals mainly with cases where we represent the children in childcare proceedings.
Vicky particularly enjoys this area of work as it allows her to deal with a varied client base and with other professionals, including solicitors and experts alike. Vicky will be beginning her training contract early next year and is looking forward to qualifying and continuing to work within this area of the law.
In her spare time Vicky enjoys running, kickboxing and socialising with her friends and family.
Contact Vicky directly on 07725 218 921.
Michaela Beale
Michaela started working as a paralegal with Brendan Fleming Solicitors in July 2009. She now has her own case load which mainly consists of children involved in care proceedings. Recently she began taking on some adult care cases along with contact cases.
Michaela is responsible for the day to day running of these cases: dealing with the post daily, seeing and interviewing clients, drafting letters to clients as well as other professionals. She also drafts statements and responses to threshold, whether this is on behalf of a guardian or a parent. Michaela attends any meetings and reviews necessary along with some pre-hearing negotiations.
After attending Liverpool University gaining 2.1 LLB with Honours, Michaela's interest in family law crystallised. She then returned to live at home whilst studying for her LPC at the Birmingham branch of the College of Law.
Michaela enjoys socialising with friends and gets on really well with all the Brendan Fleming staff. She attends the gym regularly and some gym classes. Michaela has also joined several members of Brendan Fleming team in various charity events.
Contact Michaela directly on 07725 218 970.
Jack Kelly
Jack joined the Brendan Fleming team in July 2009, following the completion of the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Birmingham, where he obtained a distinction. Prior to this, Jack went to Warwick University to study Law and achieved a 2.1 honours degree.
Jack specialised within the adult family department; and working under the direct supervision of Mr Fleming, assists with the day-to-day running of adult care cases, acting on behalf of the parents who have become involved with the Local Authority. Jack is thoroughly enjoying his work in this area of the law and is welcoming the responsibility being given to him in performing such an important role.
Outside of work, Jack likes to relax by socialising with friends whenever possible and also enjoys playing and watching a wide variety of sports, having a particular interest in football and supporting his hometown club, Coventry City F.C.
Contact Jack directly on 07725 218 941.
Rebecca first joined Brendan Fleming as a paralegal in 2008 and since that time, driven by her indomitable enthusiasm and commitment to her work, has gone from strength to strength, having now fully qualified, earning her Master's degree in legal practice.
She is a true solicitor in the Brendan Fleming style: a star of the firm with a terrific and effervescent personality. Working in the area of complex cases, Rebecca specializes in the area of non-accidental injury, where she works very hard for her clients.
She is highly thought of by both colleagues and clients alike. As one client put it: “She was so compassionate to us as a family and dealt with us on a very caring basis. She went far and above what a normal solicitor would have done.... She was wonderful with our children.”
Contact Rebecca directly on 07725 218 967.
Anne Tidmarsh
Anne began her career at Brendan Fleming Solicitors in the 90’s and she worked here for 8 years when we were based at the Gazette Buildings. After having a break to start a family, Anne made a welcome return last year.
Anne specialises in cases where supportive parenting is required and the Local Authority have removed children from a parent's care. Anne recently had great success in a long-standing case where our client’s children were returned home following a successful appeal in the Royal Courts of London.
Anne enjoys spending time with her two children and being a child herself. She enjoys cycling, trampoling and long mountain walks. She is also a keen runner and has been in many charity fun runs. Anne is an asset to Brendan Fleming Solicitors. She has a great energy and passion for her work and is always focused on getting the best outcome for her Clients.
Contact Anne directly on 07725 219 001.
Faye Masling
Faye joined the team in July 2010 as Mr Fleming’s PA, having worked as an administrator at a national charity for 10 months. Prior to this, she graduated from Birmingham City University with a Law (LLB Hons) degree in 2008 and successfully completed the Legal Practice Course at the same institution the following year.
When she was 8 years old, Faye had an accident on holiday and spirally fractured her leg. She was inspired by the solicitor who acted for her and decided she too would become a solicitor.
Since then, a legal career has been the only career for Faye. She was therefore delighted when she recently became a paralegal at Brendan Fleming. Faye is relishing having her own caseload: she acts on behalf of adults involved in care proceedings under the direct supervision of Mr Fleming and deals with the daily running of these cases.
Away from work, Faye enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending a wide range of theatre, dance, and ballet productions, and learning to cook.
Contact Faye directly on 07714 956 525
Dawn Sweeney
Dawn first started out in Law in 1988 before specialising in Family Law in 1990. She joined Brendan Fleming in 1993 because she wanted to gain experience in one of the top Family Law firms.
She remained with Brendan until 2000, when she moved to another to broaden her knowledge of Family work. She had a break from the legal world between 2006 and 2010 to have her two younger boys before rejoining Brendan Fleming at the end of last year.
Dawn is a busy mom of three boys – 13 years, 4 years and 2 years old – which has given her a practical understanding of the some of the situations that Clients with children face.
If she does get any spare time (which is a premium) she is into genealogy, reading, music and good films.
FAMILY MATTERS
Annette Woodall
Annette has a wide experience in all matters relating to family breakdown, particularly in respect of financial matters. This includes dealing with high net financial claims, often involving substantial assets and pension issues. She has a firm and practical approach to achieving high levels of settlement and client satisfaction.
Annette has specialised in family law for many years, having joined Brendan Fleming in 1984 before moving to head up a large family department at another firm in Solihull. Her recent return to Brendan Fleming was welcomed throughout the company.
Contact Annette directly on 07725 218 965.
CONVEYANCING AND WILLS
Brian McGeown
Brian McGeown an Associate Legal Executive having more than 35 years experience. An expert in his field, he is considered friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable.
His good advice extends to ensuring clients are fully aware of all the costs and expenses throughout their dealings with Brendan Fleming. He has earned himself a great reputation throughout the Midlands property world and is proud that in all the years he has been in the business he has never had a single negligence claim against him.
Brian's ever-growing band of satisfied clients is a tribute to his professionalism and his convenyancing and will-writing expertise.
Contact Brian direct on 07725 218 960.
PRIVATE LAW
Lucy de Vincent-Humphreys
Lucy is a qualified solicitor who has been working at Brendan Fleming Solicitors since 2007. Lucy acts in range of family and child law matters, predominantly representing clients within private Children Act proceedings and Injunctions.
Lucy is a very experienced practitioner in the field of private law. Her record speaks for itself, as does the praise given to her by numerous satisfied clients.
Contact her directly on 07725 218 972.
CIVIL & COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Michael Sweeney
Michael specialises in Civil & Commercial Litigation cases. He first joined Brendan Fleming in 1992 and was a key member of its original Civil Litigation team.
Michael has a wealth of experience in dealing with complex and high value claims. In February 2010, he rejoined us after several years working for a national law practice.
Contact Mike direct on 07725 218 984.
SECRETARY
Joan Downer
Joan began her career at Brendan Fleming’s in 1982, when the company first opened for business. She is loyal member of the team and is known for keeping spirits up.
She has a multitude of responsibilities. This includes ensuring clients get their correspondence, welcoming new clients to the company and liaising with clients. She is hardworking, enthusiastic and always puts clients first.
She also is known for her fantastic cuppas.
She is the first port of call for people who have started out at Brendan Fleming. Her experience shines through as she guides people who are learning the ropes.
Joan loves to read. She also loves cooking and has been known to make the staff a lovely lunch. She is highly regarded at Brendan Fleming and is an essential member of the team.
She can be contacted directly on 07714 956 526
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