Our People
Simon qualified in 1985, having completed his training with the original firm, Talbot Davies and Copner Solicitors.
He was an integral part of the successful transfer to the Practice becoming a Limited Liability Partnership in 2005.
While he now carries out a variety of work involving probate issues and inheritance claims, he started his career in Personal Injury and Medical Negligence.
Simon enjoys a diverse role, having both an extensive commercial practice and also occupying the position of Notary Public, which allows him to work for a variety of foreign jurisdictions.
Outside work he combines being a bad golfer and a keen follower of the rugby!
Sonia rose rapidly through Talbot Walker’s ranks to partner in 2005 and Member in 2008.
Her career, however, started in the insurance industry handling road traffic claims and auditing panel firms of solicitors.
As a solicitor she gained expertise in all manner of accident claims and now heads our Personal Injury Department.
Outside her professional life she has worked as a voluntary medical accidents helpline advisor for the charity Action against Medical Accidents (AVMA).
Tom has a wealth of experience when it comes to the law and property. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2002, he has focused wholeheartedly on developing a specialism in this complex are of the law.
Having completed an LLB in French Law and Language at the University of Leicester, he then undertook the Legal Practice course at the College of Law, Guildford.
Tom went on to study French at Southampton University and gained a Masters in Research in Law at Birkbeck, University of London.
Not content with spending his life outside work running marathons in the UK, Tom has participated in marathons in San Francisco and Hamburg! He has also competed in the London to Brighton run.
Emma graduated from Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University) in 2002 with an Honours degree in Criminology. She worked for the Criminal Justice Unit before joining Talbot Walker LLP in 2003 as a Legal Secretary.
Having found her niche Emma re trained and on 30 January 2012 she was admitted as fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
In her leisure time she enjoys her voluntary work for the charity, the Dogs Trust, and has a keen interest in horticulture.
Lesley qualified as a solicitor in 1987, joining Talbot Walker in 1993.
In 2004 she was invited to head up the Private Client Department and became a Member of Talbot Walker LLP in 2008.
Her focus lies within the area of law committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for the elderly and vulnerable, their families and carers.
Emma qualified as a solicitor in 2005 after completing her Law Degree at Lincoln University and then her Legal Practice Course at Sheffield University.
Emma has a wealth of experience in the field of residential conveyancing, specialising in freeholds, leaseholds, shared equity matters, new builds, remortgages and transfers.
She realises what an exciting but sometimes stressful time moving house can be and is dedicated to ensuring that her clients experience as smooth and hassle free a move as possible. Her aim is to provide an expert, quality service to her clients and ensure that they are kept abreast of developments at every stage of the conveyancing process.
Emma also specialises in other property related matters such as claims against the Land Registry, grants of easements and claims for adverse possession.
In her spare time, Emma is a keen horse rider who enjoys competing in local show jumping events with her two horses.
Having qualified as a solicitor in 1992, Gavin went on to spend over 17 years in the Bedfordshire and Hampshire Magistrates Courts where he was responsible for advising lay justices in court and training magistrates and staff.
This invaluable insight in to the Criminal Justice System has given Gavin the edge. He has developed his expertise in private practice working in both Hampshire and Wiltshire representing clients charged with serious and complex offences.
Gavin enjoys a strong reputation in criminal law and runs a tight and highly skilled Criminal Litigation Department.
He winds down from such cerebral activities by running marathons and skiing!
Samantha qualified as a solicitor in criminal law in 2008, having been with the firm for 3 years. She went on to qualify as a Duty Solicitor and regularly represents clients at the Police Station.
Her experience is wide and varied. At one end of the legal spectrum she is well versed in court hearings in the Magistrates Court. At the other end of the scale, she has been instructed in a wide range of criminal cases at the Crown Court and Court of Appeal level.
She is committed to ensuring that clients’ legal rights are protected and that everyone has the opportunity to have their say.
Empathetic to her clients’ position, she makes certain that they fully understand the legal process with which they are engaging.
As someone who has represented clients arrested for murder and manslaughter, this aspect of the law is never more important.
Nicola’s diverse areas of expertise hail from an earlier career before the law!
She qualified as a solicitor in 2007 but prior to that had worked for ‘Kids Be Frienders’, a charity for children with autism.
She has enjoyed her specialism in both family and criminal law to such a degree that she is currently hoping to develop family law as another service to clients. Ultimately this will include mediation.
Outside work she has completed a course in British Sign Language.
Philip McCann joined the criminal team in 2009 and qualified as a solicitor in 2011.
He is police station accredited and has represented clients at the police station for serious matters including grievous bodily harm and attempted murder.
Philip has been instructed on a wide range of cases from minor traffic matters to serious allegations such as fraud and conspiracy to rape.
Before joining Talbot Walker Philip volunteered with the National Centre for Domestic Violence helping victims of domestic abuse. He is a life long member of Amnesty International and enjoys hiking and hill walking.
Lee had been working with the Crown Prosecution Service when we approached him to join our Criminal Litigation Department. Not long after he gained Senior police station accreditation.
Lee is primarily based in Basingstoke, a much respected figure in police station representation. His reputation precedes him, having such an expert knowledge of the local area and the system.
His track record in achieving good results for clients speaks for itself.
Out of work his sense of community is no less important to him. He combines a career with charity work and has volunteered for the Samaritans and Naomi House
Lee also enjoys most sports and is the Chairman of the local boys and girls youth football. He is therefore by nature fiercely competitive.