our people

Andrew’s career in law started in 1990 when he became a Trainee Legal Executive with London lawyer Alison Trent.  Alison Trent specialised in civil litigation and Andrew received a solid grounding particularly in professional negligence, contract, contentious probate and costs law, working on cases largely in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

In 1999 Andrew joined Colemans-ctts in Kingston as a litigator and, with his experience in the City, continued a broad work base ranging from professional negligence and contract through to personal injury.  Andrew set up Colemans’ International Travel Law Unit in 2002 for which he was recognised with Associateship.  After the Unit was flourishing and a major contract had been secured, Andrew returned to concentrate on UK law and, indeed, with his contract background undertook pension and misselling of financial products litigation and also continued with his professional negligence, contract and was involved in high value and complicated personal injury litigation.

Andrew joined Howell Jones in September 2008 as a senior civil litigator, acting for both private and commercial clients.  He accepted Partnership in June 2010 and continues with his broad work base as developed with Alison Trent and Colemans, with a particular emphasis on commercial litigation including contentious business dissolutions, corporate civil recovery, commercial lease disputes and contentious probate (recently representing a Claimant at Trial against 26 beneficiaries and recovering property worth £250,000).  He is also one of the Partners responsible for the firm's marketing.

Throughout his time in practice, Andrew has trained many trainees, solicitors and paralegal staff through shadowing and involving them on cases.  Andrew has for some years lectured to both the profession and outside bodies (largely on the subjects of negligence, contract, travel law and risk management).  He has also been commissioned to write lectures and course materials for lawyers and professional bodies on these subjects.  This writing has now extended to him sharing his knowledge of marketing for professional practices.

Andrew has always, wherever possible, undertaken his own advocacy and drafting.  He relishes the challenge of complicated cases and is proficient in litigation strategy and negotiation.  He prides himself on his ability to provide pragmatic and commercial advice in order to resolve disputes on favourable terms and to the satisfaction of his clients.

As well as his busy Surrey and London litigation practice, Andrew works closely with the commercial (non contentious) team to provide both commercial dispute avoidance support together with supporting them in the drafting of commercial documents in which process he identifies and seeks to protect clients from adverse foreseeable risks.

Outside the office Andrew’s time is largely taken up with his twin girls and turning his hand to DIY.  Andrew also enjoys road cycling, ice skating, swimming, horse riding and travelling with the family.   Andrew has been a keen fund raiser for all of his daughters’ Schools and is very much involved in PTA activities.  His key involvement as project co-ordinator at the primary school led to three years' worth of very successful firework displays.  Each display attracted approximately 4500 visitors and raised large net profits for the Charity (PTA).  Howell Jones was very pleased to support and sponsor Andrew in these endeavours and continues to do so in 2011.