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Our Legal Team
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Adrian R Berkeley L.L.B. (Hons) |
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Principal |
| I am the Principal of Berkeley Solicitors. I studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University. Having joined the Part-Time course as a 21 year old ex Photo-Journalist I was awarded a full-time position after the first year. I obtained an Upper Second Class LL.B. (Hons.) degree and obtained a place at the Chester School of Law.
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I completed my Articles (Training Contract) with Donn & Co Solicitors (now known as Donns Solicitors) in Manchester City Centre where I specialised in Company/Commercial, Litigation and Personal Injury. I also completed a year in the Droylsden Branch carrying out a general High Street file load where I specialised in Child Law and Family Law.
Having completed my Articles, I stayed on at Donn & Co working in their Middleton Branch Office when I spent almost all my time working on serious crime matters including white collar fraud, rape and murder.
Whilst at Donn & Co. I was involved in the Litigation workload of the Personal Injury Department gaining valuable first hand experience which I transferred to Fentons Solicitors in Failsworth.
I joined Fentons when there were only four solicitors, setting up a Company/Commercial Litigation Department whilst also assisting with the Family Law Department. During my three years at Fentons, a considerable Personal Injury Department was built up so that eventually, Fentons rivalled Donns as a major player in the Personal Injury Law field.
In 1996, Donns decided to close their Droylsden office and I purchased the building and started the Practice in November 1996.
With City Centre skills and personal dedication, Berkeley Solicitors quickly received recognition. We were awarded one of the first Legal Aid Franchises covering multiple legal areas and in 2004 were awarded certification in LEXCEL the law practice management standards.
As well as taking a leading part in the client contact side of the work load at Berkeley Solicitors, I am perhaps best described as the Berkeley Solicitors´ main trouble shooter. For example, where a file is being considered for litigation tactics. I am also responsible for all the administration of Berkeley Solicitors.
I am a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. In my Family Practice I follow the principles of the Solicitors Family Law Association.
My work ethic is to provide quality client based legal services with City Centre skills and rural personal service from dedicated solicitors. |
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Sophie Kaushal LL.B (Hons) |
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I come from a financial background having spent many years working in financial organisations. I began my legal studies on a part time basis at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Whilst studying I undertook the Citizen Advice Bureau course. I also worked part time for law firms on a temporary basis. My last long term job was with AST Hampsons, where I worked mainly in the conveyancing and commercial litigation departments. However, I worked briefly for a criminal law firm but found that this was not an area of law of particular interest to me.
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| Prior to joining the team here at Berkeley Solicitors I worked as a case manager for the Healthcare Commission where my skills obtained on the LPC came into play. I then joined Berkeley Solicitors as a paralegal in their Conveyancing and Employment department. I have recently taken over my own case load of Personal Injury files and Matrimonial files. This is an area of law that I wish to practice in the near future and am hoping to progress as a Trainee Solicitor with the firm in the summer of 2008. |
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Victoria Lonergan LL.B (Hons) |
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After reading Law during my A-Levels and undertaking work experience with some of the North West’s most prominent legal firms I knew that my passion lied with pursuing a legal career. After my studies, I completed various voluntary work experience placements throughout the holiday periods, in order to build on my legal practice knowledge.
In 2007 I began working for Scope North West within the charitable sector. Whilst working at Scope I obtained a foundation in Charitable Law and other legal areas. |
I continued my legal studies at Manchester Metropolitan University where I commenced my Law Degree and obtained an upper 2:1 (Hons). Due to the supportive team at MMU, I decided to take a year out from my studies and return to the University a year later to study for the Legal Practice Course.
During my year away from studying, I worked as a Fee Earner for Amicus Solicitors LLP where I gained valuable experience in fast track claimant Personal Injury work.
In July 2008, looking to progress my career, I joined the friendly, High Street Practice that is Berkeley Solicitors.
I commence the Legal Practice course in September on a part-time basis and hope to obtain a Training Contract at the firm.
I will be working primarily in the Personal Injury Department, running a varied caseload.
I look forward to qualifying as a Solicitor, specialising in Personal Injury, Family and Employment Law with the support of the devoted team at Berkeley Solicitors.
During my spare time, I am a keen fundraiser, regularly organising charitable events and undertaking sponsorships. I am also a keen Spanish linguist with a strong interest in Latin American culture. Otherwise, I enjoy socialising and traveling with friends. |
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Sukhdev Singh Bhaker LL.B. (Hons) |
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I studied for my law degree at the College of Law gaining a 2:1 LL.B. Honours degree. I particularly enjoyed undertaking criminal law and gained a distinction in this area.
Having successfully completed this period of study, I commenced voluntary work with my local Citizen Advice Bureau where I gained valuable practical experience in interviewing and advising a diverse range of clients in a variety of different areas including employment, matrimonial and immigration law.
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Continuing with my voluntary work, I commenced the LPC on a part-time basis at Manchester Metropolitan University. I thoroughly enjoyed studying Property Law and Practice and gained a distinction in the subject. I gained commendations in Commercial Property and Matrimonial Practice which were subjects that I elected to study.
After successfully completing my legal studies, I took time out to travel. In April 2008, I undertook work experience at Berkeley Solicitors and joined the firm as a paralegal in June 2008. I currently work in the Conveyancing and Probate departments and hope to start my training contract with the firm in the near future.
My hobbies include traveling and Art History. I also have a passion for the work of the landscape painter Caspar David Friedrich.
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Ronald O Onyango LL.B (Hons) |
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I came from a commercial and insurance background having worked for The Accident Group after graduating from University in 2001.
I studied law at Lancaster University, and went to complete my Legal Practice Course at Manchester Metropolitan School of Law in 2004. I joined Berkeley Solicitors in 2009 as a Litigation Fee Earner in the Personal injury and Employment Litigation Department.
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Prior to joining Berkeley Solicitors as a Fee Earner and ultimately a Trainee Solicitor, I worked as a Senior Litigation Executive at Clear Law Solicitors in Manchester in their Personal Injury Litigation Department. I have also worked for larger city law firms Shoosmiths and Berrymans Lace Mawers (in their Connexion Partnership branch) both in their Legal Expense Division focusing on insurance related work in Personal injury.
I also have a background in General commercial litigation and Human Rights Law where I have carried out extensive work on Immigration work and police detention.
I previously lived in Manchester for over 4 years before moving to London and Basingstoke. I came back to Manchester in October 2008 and intend to settle up here upon qualification and extend my client base and networks.
I see Berkeley Solicitors as the kind of niche firm were I can grow and develop my skills further. In addition to working in the Litigation department, I also enjoy the additional opportunity to be involved in the strategic and business development of the firm. I’m interested in Litigation which currently covers Employment Law, Personal Injury, Payment Protection Insurance & General Commercial & Litigation.
My past time interests includes playing hockey and football. I play hockey for the Didsbury North Hockey Club in Manchester. I also spend a considerable amount of time doing voluntary work for two charities; which are both focused on education and economic empowerment of young people in the UK and In Kenya. To find out more information about this click here. |
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