Moving Forward Together

Vikki Ayto

Joined the Firm in 2008.  

Combines the role of receptionist along with secretarial work for Angela Kennedy who deals chiefly with private client work including Court of Protection, Lasting Powers of Attorney and probate.

Chard office

William Bennett - Consultant and Practice Manager

Joined the Firm in 1974 became a partner in 1982 and was senior partner from 2002 to 2017 when he retired from the partnership.

Now a consultant and practice manager William is based in the Chard office but attending all the offices of the Firm regularly, particularly the Hemyock office. A member of both the Law Society’s Probate Section and Management Section. dealing with private client work, including Wills, probate, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection and also Solicitors for the Elderly.

Chard office

Nikki K Blunn - Chartered Legal Executive

Joined the Firm in 2019.

Nikki is a Chartered Legal Executive and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 2008.

Nikki moved to the West Country from London where she studied at Italia Conti in 1988 and now lives locally with her childhood sweetheart and husband of 32 years. 

Having previously worked at two large Somerset Firms, Nikki now deals with conveyancing and property matters at our Chard office and regularly attends our sub office in Hemyock. 

In her spare time she enjoys dog walking, cooking, all sports and is a keen Manchester United fan. 

Chard Office

Colin Burdett - Senior Partner

Joined the Firm in 1980, became a partner in 1982 and senior partner in 2017.

Based in the Axminster office but attending the Chard, Seaton and Ilminster offices regularly. Deals chiefly with civil litigation, personal injury and family work. Involved in the management of the Firm together with his other partners and also the partner in charge of compliance and anti-money laundering regulations.

Colin received his Post Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice, by the University of Cambridge, and is one of the relatively few people (probably less than 400) who have become a Notary Public via this route.

Colin's practice as a Notary Public is based in the Firm's Axminster office. However, appointments can be made for Clients to be seen in the Firm's other offices, at home or elsewhere by arrangement.

Please visit our Notarial Services website for more information.

Axminster office

Nicola Bush

Joined the Firm in 2006.

Legal secretary dealing with conveyancing and private client work also involved in reception.

Seaton Office

Emily Chambers - Apprentice Solicitor

Joined the Firm in 2019

Ilminster office

Alexandra Cunningham-Fraser

Joined the Firm in 2023.

Undertakes private client work as secretary to Nicola Edwards

Axminster office

Nicola Edwards - Partner

Joined the Firm in 2011 and became a partner in 2017.

Nicola completed her 4 year Law & French degree at The University of Wales, Aberystwyth where she spent 1 year studying Belgian Law at the Universite Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve. Nicola now speaks fluent French as a result. 

Nicola specialises in Private Client work and regularly advises Clients on Wills, Challenges to Wills, Probate, Estate Planning and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Nicola is an Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly and having attended school in Lyme Regis, Nicola has a wealth of local knowledge.

Nicola is based in the Axminster office and is involved with the management of the Firm with her partners.

Axminster office

Domenica Fazio - Partner

Joined the Firm in 1996 and became a partner in 2001.

Based in the Chard office but regularly attending the Firm's Seaton office, Domenica is a member of the Law Society’s Probate Section and Property Section and also Solicitors for the Elderly. Dealing with residential conveyancing and private client work including, Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work.

Domenica is involved with the management of the Firm with her partners.

Chard office

Sarah Garland

Joined the Firm in 2021

Combining the role of receptionist with secretarial work.

Axminster office

Juliet Heighway

Joined the Firm in 2008

Undertaking secretarial work for the senior partner Colin Burdett.

Axminster office

Susan Hodson

Joined the Firm in 1983

Private Client and general secretary to William Bennett and deals with the accounts for the Chard office.

Chard office

Gemma Kidson

Joined in 2023 as an assistant.

Chard office

Sally Lowe - Solicitor

Joined the Firm in 2015

Sally qualified as a Legal Executive in 2005 and completed further studies to qualify as a Solicitor in 2011.

Sally is familiar with all aspects of legal practice having held a variety of administrative and accounting roles. She now specialises in Private Client work advising Clients on Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyships. Sally has a particular affinity with elderly clients and is always available for home visits.

A member of the Law Society’s Private Client Section, Sally will join her colleagues as a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and will assist in marketing the Firm’s services.

Ilminster office

Michele Moulding - Accounts Manager

Joined the Firm in 1989

Main role as Accounts Manager but also assists partners with other financial, management and staffing issues.

Axminster office

Peta Melling

Joined the Firm in 1981

Conveyancing and general secretary to William Bennett and longest serving member of the secretarial staff.

Chard office

Sandra Millman

Joined the Firm in 2015

Combining the role of receptionist with secretarial work 

Seaton office

Beth Olumese

Joined Firm in 2023.

Combining the role of receptionist with secretarial work.

Axminster office

Shirley Pitman

Joined the Firm in 2021

Combining the role of receptionist with secretarial work.

Chard office

Michelle Prosser - Solicitor

Joined the Firm in 2016.

Michelle's career began at The Crown Prosecution Service. During her 17 years working there she obtained her LL.B (Hons) and Post Graduate Qualification with Distinction from the University of Wolverhampton.

Michelle has spent the last 10 years working as a solicitor in the Dorset, Devon and Somerset areas gaining a vast amount of local knowledge.

In her spare time Michelle is a keen Cornish Pilot Gig Rower and can often be found on the water.

Michelle will be dealing with conveyancing and property matters for our Axminster and Seaton offices.

Michelle is principally based in our Seaton office.

Seaton and Axminster offices

Kelly de Silva

Joined in 2023 as a Receptionist

Ilminster office

Jane Stapleforth - Accounts Assistant

Joined the Firm in 2022.

Jane assists our Accounts Manager Michele Moulding with the day to day running of the department.

Axminster office

Patrick D Wilding - Solicitor

Joined the firm in 2021.

Patrick qualified as a solicitor in 1975 and has a wealth of knowledge having worked in general practice for many years dealing with many different areas of legal work.

Patrick is currently working in our property department dealing mainly with residential conveyancing.

Away from the office Patrick is a big motor racing fan.

Ilminster office

Laura Wishart - Solicitor

Joined the Firm in 2023.

Laura specialises in Private Client work advising clients on Wills, Lasting Powers or Attorney, Probate, Deputyships and Residential Conveyaning.

Whilst Laura works from the Firm's Chard office she is always happy to see clients in any of our offices or at their homes.

Laura is an experienced solicitor bringing with her a wealth of knowledge in her field. 

Chard Office