Aylesbury: Parrott and Coales appoints head of dispute resolution team
Aylesbury law firm Parrott and Coales has appointed specialist solicitor and business veteran, Fiona Hewitt, to head up and grow its dispute resolution department.
During her 18-year career, Hewitt, who lives in Buckingham and speaks French and Italian, has resolved various legal disputes for companies and individuals, handling the early settlement of matters through to mediation and negotiation to representation at trial, where necessary.
She is particularly skilled in contractual, service and property issues, shareholder and partnership disputes, negligence, intellectual property, defamation, trusts and contentious probate, and her clients have included personalities such as celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
After being awarded a scholarship to study Law with French, which she completed in just two years at the country's only independent university, the University of Buckingham, Hewitt went on to complete her training at a renowned law practice before co-founding a law firm in 2004. She brings with her a proven track record of success in business development after her Milton Keynes based firm was listed in The Legal 500 most recommended law firms in the country for its employment litigation department - headed up by Fiona and described in The Legal 500 as 'commercially aware'.
More recently, Hewitt spent two years as head of practice area - dispute resolution for one of the largest South-East and Midlands based law firms, Brethertons Solicitors.
She said: “I felt that Parrott & Coales was the perfect fit. It’s a well-established local law firm, recognised for a friendly and personal approach which is exactly how I like to work. I take pride in getting to know my clients individually and in really understanding their specific circumstances, so I can best advise with a clear strategy on how we’re going to help resolve their dispute. My approach is very ‘hands on’ and it works well with Parrott & Coales’ ‘we’re here to help’ culture.”
Sarah Plumridge, managing partner, added “We’re seeing an increasing demand for dispute resolution services in the local area, especially in contested probate with modern day estates becoming ever more complex. Fiona is the perfect person to help us to grow our litigation department and continue to increase our service offerings in line with our clients’ needs. She has real pedigree in developing businesses and departments and an impeccable track record in successfully resolving legal disputes across a range of areas. Her personal and straightforward approach with clients also fits perfectly here at Parrott & Coales so we’re delighted to welcome her to the team.”