Advisors

Ryan Bennett

arch.direct member

Ryan has 15+ years within the Canadian insurance industry focusing on claims handling, both for domestic and Lloyd’s markets. In 2021 he transitioned to a role as an auditor for the Canadian and USA Lloyd’s markets and is excited to continue along this career path at arch.law.

Molly Dick

arch.direct member

Molly is a law graduate from Edinburgh University who has joined arch.law as an arch.direct member to support our arch.portfolio and arch.resource members deliver legal solutions differently. Molly has a particular interest in legal solutions for individuals as well as supporting on major litigation matters.

Katherine Dobson

arch.resource member

Katherine is a commercial property lawyer with over 12 years’ experience gained in leading City firms. Katherine advises on a wide range of non-contentious transactions including the acquisition and disposal of multi-let office, retail and industrial premises and sites for commercial and mixed-use development, landlord and tenant matters and secured lending. She is experienced in acting for investors, developers, funds, institutional and other landlords, office and retail tenants, high street lenders and private banks as well as housing associations and public sector bodies. She has also acted for HNWIs in connection with the acquisition of prime residential property.

Lana Daurie

arch.portfolio member

Lana has 18 years of experience in the insurance market, 12 years of this within the London market and 9 of those years in audit.
Having led teams at major audit firms in Canada and the USA, Lana has built a market leading audit firm and developed a strong relationship of trust with a client base which includes all major London Market Insurers.
Passionate about her career and subject matter, Lana has been invited to present to both clients and at market events. Believing strongly in a compassionate and inclusive workplace, Lana is excited by the endless opportunities at arch.law.

John Davidson

arch.portfolio member

John has 26 years’ experience in the insurance market, 18 years in audit and 8 years in claims management roles. He has extensive experience of all major insurance and reinsurance classes, with audits, claims reviews and inspections of records performed in Africa, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Iceland, Middle East, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Switzerland and USA.

Max Ekstein

arch.portfolio member

For the last 15 years Max has specialised in regulatory work, particularly related to the talking therapies. He has acted for psychologists at the HCPC and for counsellors, psychotherapists, and psychoanalysts before the BACP, UKCP, the BPC and other regulators in this area. Max also deals with civil claims for compensation that may arise.

Legal 500 has said: Max Ekstein continues to be the leading expert on the regulation of mental health and talking therapists. He goes far beyond the minimum for his clients and is unfailingly caring and sympathetic even with the most challenging of clients.

Derek Ellery

arch.portfolio member

Derek is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer. His work includes acquisitions, disposals, investment and financing arrangements and joint ventures,
In his previous capacity of chief Counsel, Derek worked with Andrew on the acquisition of a large number of legal services businesses in the UK, Europe and Australia. As a result, he has particular experience and expertise in the establishment, acquisition and merger of professional services businesses. Derek also advises clients on strategic, regulatory and governance issues and is the General Counsel to Arch Law Limited. 

Laura Ellis

arch.resource member

Laura is a solicitor with 7 years post qualification experience in defendant personal injury litigation. As an assistant solicitor on catastrophic injury claims, she has worked for several national insurer clients and their insureds. She has also handled her own fast and multi-track claims. Laura is able to assist arch.portfolio members by providing litigation support and through the use of her associated skills including analysis of liability and quantum, carrying out investigations and drafting witness evidence, and the instruction of counsel and expert witnesses. She has a keen eye for detail.

Andrew Farrugia

arch.resource member

Andrew has over ten years’ experience in dispute resolution acting for clients in an array of different sectors such as property, hospitality, insurance, shipping, travel, sports and media. Andrew qualified in England and Wales and has worked at a national firm and a highly rated West End boutique firm.
He is his clients’ trusted adviser and has worked on a wide variety of property disputes, commercial disputes and complex, high value disputes that involved more than one jurisdiction.
Andrew is personable and gives commercial, pragmatic and tailored advice. He works hard to achieve the best result for his clients.

Alison Gaddes

arch.resource member

Alison has specialised in Family Law for over 20 years, having worked in both Leeds and Sheffield for well-respected Legal 500 firms.

Alison specialises in all areas of family disputes, including Divorce and Financial resolution, often advising on complex financial settlements involving company assets and property portfolios. Alison also enjoys representing her client’s dealing with complex children disputes. Providing support to her client’s through what is often one of the hardest times of their lives.

Lee Gaddes

arch.portfolio member

Lee is an experienced commercial property solicitor and has been advising landlords, tenants and developers for over 17 years. Lee particularly enjoys advising on development land purchases and the acquisition of commercial property for redevelopment, then setting up the documentation ready for plot or apartment sales. His Landlord and Tenant work involves drafting or advising on new leases for retail, manufacturing and service sectors. He is a Trustee for a local CVS, supporting over 100 local charities. He offers commercial property expertise to the board regarding the charity’s substantial property portfolio.

Mark Foy

arch.portfolio member

Mark Foy has more than 20 years’ experience advising on all aspects of complex real estate projects and transactions. He has extensive experience advising on community title and land subdivisions, the sale and purchase of developed commercial real estate, retail centres, industrial properties and related due diligence. Mr Foy has a special in interest in real estate projects and retail centres. He has also completed significant work advising clients on industrial, retail and commercial leasing transactions. His experience working in-house for Australia’s leading retailers has provided him with a commercial approach to advising his clients.

Kevin Hanson

arch.resource member

Kevin is a dual qualified UK Solicitor Advocate and California Attorney as well as a Chartered UK and European patent attorney. With direct practice rights spanning the UK, Europe and United States, Kevin provides a joined up approach to international intellectual property protection, enforcement and monetisation. He also has substantial experience of drafting and negotiating commercial contracts across both public and private sectors. Kevin’s recent highlights include managing a European patent portfolio for a NASDAQ listed corporation and securing a six-figure settlement in favour of a client accused of trade mark infringement and passing off.

Warrick Hawkins

arch.portfolio member

Warrick practices exclusive in the area of Family Law. He has extensive experience in all facets of family law including but not limited to the following: property and parenting matters, recovery of children, international Hague matters, domestic relocation, contravention and recovery of children applications, serious matters involving family violence, property adjustment, financial agreements, child support, spousal maintenance and divorce applications.

Michael Holmes

arch.portfolio member

Michael is a highly experienced commercial lawyer having spent 10 years in private practice and 10 years as a barrister (8th Floor Wentworth Chambers/7th Floor Windeyer Chambers). Michael has extensive experience in contracts, corporations, equity, trade practices/consumer law, intellectual property, property, torts, insurance, insolvency and debt recovery. Michael works closely with sophisticated start-ups providing close advice and assistance with the development of innovative products and services through stages of growth towards IPOs.

Alex Irwin

arch.resource member

Alex specialises in Commercial Debt Recovery, with a proven track record in recovering funds for businesses who require quick and decisive action. With over 10 years of experience in the sector acting for a wide range of clients including Debt Collection Agencies, SME’s and large businesses on undisputed and disputed matters. Alex specialises in cases which involve Winding Up and Bankruptcy Petitions. Alex also provides ongoing advice and support to clients on credit control procedures to ensure best possible practice and improve cashflow for clients.

Natasha Istanbul

arch.direct member

Natasha has over 14 years’ experience in the legal world having varied roles across a number of practice areas. She has extensive experience in legal personal assistant duties and paralegal support.  She also provides support with general office tasks and has strong organisational skills to give lawyers a helping hand.

Leigh Jones

arch.portfolio member

Leigh has nine years’ experience in the insurance industry, including seven years in insurance audit. In her role as head of client relations Leigh ensures that the clients individual and specific audit requirements are met by the global team of auditors. Leigh is responsible for the pricing and scheduling of global audits and ensuring the timeliness of the reports issued to the clients.

Kelvin Keane

arch.portfolio member

Kelvin has significant experience acting for clients on building and construction related legal matters. The practical and effective advice Kelvin delivers is informed by more than 30 years operating in residential building as both a builder and a lawyer.

Barbara Kranjcec

arch.direct member

Barbara Kranjcec is a paralegal with Mayfair Rise Solicitors. She started in November 2022, after completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Law. Prior to that, Barbara obtained bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked in Private Care for 6 years.

Nancy Lamb

arch.resource member

Construction solicitor specialising in the data centre sector, with both private practice and in-house experience. I have undertaken joint legal/commercial roles within global organisations and owner managed businesses which have included board advisory positions. Recently I have worked with a Client’s project team on the construction of the largest data centre in Europe, dealing with the legal and commercial aspects of the project. My strength is the ability to cut straight to the core of an issue and find a resolution. My passion is good contract management, dispute avoidance and mediation.

Andrew Leaitherland

arch.portfolio member

Although Andrew is an employment lawyer by training, over the last fifteen years he has built up extensive experience in leading M&A activity with professional services firms including leading the listing of DWF Group plc on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Andrew uses these skills to advise strategically on inorganic growth opportunities for all types of professional services businesses, in conjunction with other members of arch who support on the necessary legal work. Andrew is also the Chair of The Legal Director and a NED of Summize which gives him great insight into how the respective businesses can collaborate to further the interests of our clients. 

Rebekah Leech

arch.direct member

Rebekah Leech is a Trainee Solicitor with Mayfair Rise Solicitors. She started her Training Contract in November 2021 but has worked with Sally & Robyn on a part time basis as a Litigation Assistant for over a year. During that time, she has worked on various commercial litigation, employment, matrimonial and contract drafting matters.  Prior to joining MRS, Rebekah worked for 5 years at a Barristers’ chambers based in Temple, London.

John Mackenzie

arch.portfolio member

John qualified in 2003. John works for Defendants defending claims for disease alleged to be caused by occupational exposure.
These claims include ‘long tail’ and ‘short tail’ disease. Long tail disease is caused by exposure to a noxious substance or harmful agent over many years. This includes asbestos, work related stress, vibration and noise. Short tail diseases such as asthma, RSI, Dermatitis are typically caused by shorter and more recent exposure.
John has defended many complex claims of this nature and has won all of his cases which went to trial.
John has a young family.

William Mackenzie

arch.portfolio member

William is a qualified Costs Lawyer and has been working in costs litigation for 14 years.  He undertakes both paying and receiving party work and conducts matters from cradle to grave, to include advocacy. William has an interest in complex costs litigation, undertaking the costs budgeting on the British Airways data breach claims where costs exceeded £50m. He was previously the Head of the London Costs team at a leading international law firm and has spoken at the Association of Costs Lawyers conference alongside eminent speakers such as Lord Justice Briggs.

Alex Mahary

arch.direct member

Alex has 18 years of experience in the insurance market. Prior to joining arch.law, he has worked in many roles in the industry including roles in claims handling, underwriting, product development, risk management and audit. Alex has primarily worked in the Canadian and the United States markets with a mix of both domestic insurers and the Lloyd’s market.

Sally Marsden

arch.portfolio member

Founder Sally Marsden has 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. A partner at two previous firms, as well as a client and buyer of legal services when running an in-house legal team. Sally has worked at well-regarded firms in Manchester, Hong Kong & London. Her career started with a mix of civil, criminal and family litigation before she went on to specialise in commercial litigation with a professional negligence, construction and engineering bias. The cases have been across a wealth of foreign jurisdictions. Since returning to London in 2000 she has worked on a very wide range of civil, criminal, employment and family matters. Her experience also covers all the usual legal issues in running a business. She also assists clients with their corporate compliance issues. She holds a Diploma in Project Management (RICS), is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and was a visiting lecturer at various institutions including the University of Law.

Paul Marsh

arch.portfolio member

Paul advises secured and unsecured creditors in all aspects of insolvency law, protecting their interests when confronted with customer insolvencies. This includes robust recovery strategies to recover monies before the onset of formal insolvency. Paul also advises on improved credit control procedures to improve working capital for clients. Paul’s clients are insolvency practitioners, multinationals and boutique clients, acting for them in matters including liquidations, bankruptcies and voluntary arrangements. Paul also specialises in high value fraud cases, often cross jurisdictional, as well as advising company directors on their own personal positions when dealing with a company facing insolvency.

Marcus McCarthy

arch.portfolio member

Marcus has acted for significant corporate, government and private clients in all aspects of commercial law & litigation for over 22 years, with a particular focus on the construction/ infrastructure, mining and property development sectors. He is experienced in all forms of complex commercial litigation and transactional work, including mergers & acquisitions, procurement, major property transactions and dispute resolution. With significant business experience beyond the law and broad knowledge of multiple practice areas, Marcus brings a rare level of commercial acumen and practical skill to legal practice and business advisory.

Nick McMahon

arch.resource member

Nick is a specialist litigation solicitor. He has particular expertise in Health & Safety regulation, product liability, catastrophic injury and insurance. As a partner for many years at City practice RPC he was instrumental in developing the firm’s reputation in those areas. Rated in directories as “exceptional”, he is also noted as being ” a reassuring presence” and approachable and knowledgeable, as well as prompt and clear in his advice. He has dealt with numerous H&S investigations and prosecutions, for individuals as well as corporates, often also handling the accompanying civil actions. His product liability experience includes representation of one of the main protagonists in the PIP breast implant group litigation. His insurance work includes coverage advice, policy wording review and portfolio audit.

Lindsey McQueen

arch.portfolio member

Lindsey is the Operations Director at Arch Investment Acquisitions. Arch I.A. is a property investment acquisition solution, where we combine leading edge technology with high quality lawyers and advisors to deliver legal solutions differently for our clients. We recognise that law is not simply a service but a platform to give our clients the solution that allows them to rectify their problem or maximise their opportunity. Having practised law at a senior level for over 18 years, her focus at Arch I.A. is to develop long term operational strategies by providing a different approach to client property transactions from the traditional law firm. Arch I.A. is built to give our clients the service they need, the way they want it.

Martin McQueen

arch.portfolio member

Martin heads Arch Investment Acquisitions, a specialist team of lawyers and legal advisors providing property investment acquisition services to world-wide Buy-to-Let investors in the UK. Martin is dual qualified in Scotland and England, so can provide a one-shop stop for clients who wish to invest in or develop Property on either side (or both sides) of the border.  Relentlessly commercially-focused, Martin and his team will always tailor their approach to your transactional aims. A proud husband and father, Martin’s wider interests include coaching, mentoring and workplace mental health (having become a qualified Mental Health First Aid practitioner in 2018).

Tristan Meears-White

arch.resource member

Tristan is a specialist commercial regulatory, risk management, compliance, and governance lawyer; cited as a Key individual in both Legal 500 and Chambers over many years, commended for his “all-round ability in regulation” and “excelling in regulatory compliance”. He was described in Legal 500 as “[being] a great tactical thinker” with “formidable judgement and fantastic client skills”. His expertise covers three principal areas: Anti-trust/Competition – investigations and enforcement, follow on claims, commercial agreements, compliance, and training. Health, Safety and Environmental – enforcement and investigations; compliance and training, transactional support. General Regulation – complex fraud/bribery, product safety, food safety, healthcare, transport, trading law and advertising standards.

Bilal Mirza

arch.portfolio member

A leading high net litigation and catastrophic Insurance lawyer working within the insurance industry. Experienced across casualty, motor, contentious and non-contentious insurance.  Bilal advises on multi-million pound claims, cradle to grave litigation, case management and  cross boarder experience. He provides strategic holistic solutions as a business consultant.  An industry recognised specialist in niche high profile dispute resolution and sports and entertainment insurance.  

Bilal actively collaborates with clients, Insurers and Brokers across the market both supporting them and their policy holders to achieve the best outcome.  Legal 500 client testimonial “ …an innovative & impressive leader of the team”.

Colin Miller

arch.portfolio member

Colin brings over 30 years Australian and international legal expertise from both private practice and in-house. His two practices areas are Banking & Finance and Risk & Compliance. He is highly experienced in delivering practical and commercial advice to Clients facing increasing complexity in their compliance obligations.
Having spent over a decade in Asia as well as time in London and Oman, Colin brings a breadth of experience and commercial understanding to his practice. He practiced for many years as a transactional lawyer, thereby developing expertise across a broad range of financing transactions, capital markets and funds.

Maria Monastiriotis

arch.portfolio member

Maria is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and has 25 years’ experience working with Australian and Overseas clients in all areas of Family Law. Prior to joining Nexus, Maria was the Practice Leader of a large National Australian law firm.

Zoe Mortimer

arch.resource member

Zoe is a corporate commercial solicitor who has worked predominately in the financial services sector acting for global banks on a number of regulation changes impacting their financial contracts. Mainly working on syndicated loans. Most recently Zoe has been the lead lawyer at her last job on the IBOR transition and has lead a number of deal reviews and transitions for banks and investment companies. In addition, Zoe also works on general corporate and commercial matters in-house, most notably with a CIC turned charity.

Ursula Mulvaney

arch.resource member

Regulatory & Commercial Solicitor qualified in England & Wales, Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland with experience of working in private practice and in – house. Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E) and member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)  After over seven years within the commercial team of a global law firm, Ursula moved into an in-house role with Coca – Cola Hellenic Bottling Company as a Solicitor within the Legal function supporting the business across the island of Ireland providing a range of commercial legal advice and services.

Bianca Nati

arch.resource member

Bianca is a litigation and regulatory investigations lawyer with specialisms in financial services litigation and data protection work. Bianca is Australian qualified with 8 years experience in private practice in Sydney; and in-house, private practice and public sector experience in London. She has particular expertise in technical business and commercial disputes, complex transactional disputes, financial services litigation, bank remediation projects, legal and reputational risk and regulatory investigations and debt recovery.

Thomas Nevin

arch.resource member

Tom has 14 years’ experience in litigation and dispute resolution. Tom commenced work in private practice in a leading Australian national practice in 2007, and qualified in Australia (Queensland) in 2008. Tom moved to the UK in 2011 and worked in private practice at several UK and international firms. Tom has also undertaken in-house roles for the UK Home Office, and a leading international renewable energy company. Tom qualified in England & Wales in 2019. Tom advises a range of clients from small tech start-ups to international funds and corporates on all things contentious and dispute-related.

Jamie Norman

arch.resource member

Jamie is a private client solicitor with over a decade’s experience at leading City law firms and a top tier private bank in Zurich. He specialises in tax and structuring advice for HNW and UHNW individuals and their families, including international asset-holding structures such as offshore trusts, PTCs and FICs, tax-efficient investing, inheritance and succession planning, and philanthropy. Jamie’s work often has an international element, particularly in relation to non-domiciled individuals and UK residents with cross-border requirements, and he regularly advises trustees, private banks and family offices on wealth management issues.

Adam Powell

arch.resource member

Adam has over 20 years’ experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer. He has significant domestic, international, and cross-border experience, advising a broad range of clients from start-up ventures, SMEs, and multinationals, along with government bodies. Adam’s corporate practice includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and equity arrangements, turnaround and corporate recovery, corporate governance and structuring, and shareholder matters. His commercial practice includes advising on agency and distribution agreements, EPC and supply contracts, sponsorship and management arrangements, concessions, franchising, and licensing.

Alan Prasad

arch.portfolio member

Alan is a highly experienced corporate and commercial lawyer bringing almost two decades of experience in private practices, working with clients across Australia, Singapore, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Alan is passionate about providing SMEs, national and international companies practical, commercially viable and legally enforceable solutions to many commercial facets of their businesses ensuring his clients achieve their objectives. Alan takes a commercial approach to assisting clients to resolve their legal and business matters.

Gareth Roberts

arch.resource member

Gareth has 20 years of specialist employment law experience.
He has worked at national and international law firms and also as a Partner and Head of Employment at a boutique law firm.
Gareth is CIPD qualifIed (Level 5) and has experience of handling internal HR issues for businesses.
Gareth’s approach is listen to your situation, discuss the options available to you and give you straight talking expert legal advice delivered in a practical way that helps you achieve your objective.

Ben Robertson

arch.portfolio member

Ben has practised both within in-house environments (working for a project home builder with a footprint in NSW, Queensland and Victoria) and in private practice, acting for developers, builders, subcontractors, and property owners in relation to construction law matters. Ben has acted for clients in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, NSW courts, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Victorian courts, and Federal courts.

Natasha Samuel

arch.direct member

Natasha has 10 + years within the Canadian domestic insurance industry focusing on claims handling and processes. She has held varies insurance roles which has provided her the skills to be well rounded in her field. She has transitioned recently to audit and is able to apply her claims and underwriting background, into auditing practices for the Canadian and USA markets. Her objective is to continue to gain knowledge from her experienced colleague, in order to be well versed audit professional.

Jenny Shanh

arch.direct member

Jenny Shanh is a Senior Auditor and P&C insurance professional, passionate about delegated authorities and the London market. She excels at her role by combining her analytic skills along with her claims and underwriting experience with a strong writing acumen. Believing that helping others during the audit process requires an equal amount of kindness, understanding and a diplomatic approach, Jenny ensures all stakeholders benefit from her time spent.  
Jenny believes in the work she does and enjoys the close knit and inclusive team approach at arch.audit.  
Prior to joining the audit world, Jenny worked for Canadian domestic insurers and is rounding the finish line on her CIP designation. 

Maria Shaw

arch.portfolio member

Maria is admitted as a lawyer in NSW and England and Wales and has 28 years’ experience in England and over 4 years’ experience in NSW in the areas of Wills and estate planning, probate, estate administration, trusts and advising on incapacity issues. Maria simplifies the process of ensuring that her clients’ estate and succession planning are dealt with comprehensively, with empathy and with a focus on wealth preservation. She works with financial advisers and accountants to provide their clients with a holistic solution to their estate planning needs.

Keith Spencer

arch.portfolio member

Keith has broad range of knowledge and over 30 years’ experience acting for individuals, business owners, families and large Institutions. Keith has a particular interest in estate planning and works closely with financial advisors and accountants to provide holistic solutions.

Josh Smith

arch.resource member

Josh is a Corporate Finance/ Funds lawyer with experience in private practice and in-house. Josh has wide-ranging experience of fund finance, corporate due diligence, commodities financing, derivatives and structured products, private equity, debt finance and securitisation. Josh also has corporate M&A experience, with a focus on Private Equity and Investment Funds and some IPO experience. Josh’s transactional experience spans multiple jurisdictions and sectors. Josh also has familiarity with various domestic and international company structures, investor documentation and external client relations. Prior to his time in private practice, Josh worked as a project analyst within Credit Suisse.

David Webster

arch.resource member

Insurance and Reinsurance Coverage Specialist with over thirty five years experience advising on large complex London Market and International insurance disputes. I led insurance teams at Waltons & Morse, Eversheds and RPC and was recognised by the directories as a leading individual for insurance and reinsurance disputes. I advise on D&O, Financial Lines, Professional Indemnity, Property, EL and PL policies and all classes of reinsurance treaties and facultative contracts. I am very  experienced in helping clients resolve insurance and reinsurance disputes quickly and cost effectively. Details of cases and experience can be found on my website