Partners
Rae Levene LL.B - Managing
Partner
rlevene@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01234 312502
Rae graduated from Cardiff University in 1975, took articles with the firm in 1977 and became a partner in 1982.
Rae is the firm's Managing Partner so much of his time is devoted to the effective running of the firm. He specialises in health and Charity Law and advises many national, regional and local charities particularly in the fields of arts and social care.
He is a Trustee of the Bedford Charity (the Harpur Trust), a Board member of BedfordBID and a member of the Charity Law Association.
In his spare time he runs a local Arts charity which manages a performance venue and promotes community theatre.
Contact Rae for:
- Charity Law (including formation, mergers, restructures, training, skills audits and Third Sector relationships)
Garry Dannan
gdannan@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01234 312501
Garry graduated from Hull University, joined the firm in 1972 and became a Partner in 1975. He specialises in commercial contract including business and company transfer work and has many years' experience in working with clients in both private and public sectors. He advises the firm's major corporate and public sector clients.
Garry's strength lies in his pragmatic approach to his work and believes in offering the client not only sound advice but also, where possible, solutions to their problems. Garry enjoys engaging with his clients at an early stage in their transactions ensuring he is part of the business planning and decision making processes.
In his spare time he relaxes with his family and enjoys his hobbies appropriate for the time and season.
Contact Garry for:
- Company Advice
- Business Advice
- Commercial contracts
Ian Pears
ipears@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01604 615980
Ian joined Park Woodfine Heald Mellows in 2000, becoming a partner in 2002. Ian is a specialist clinical negligence and personal injury solicitor, with over 20 years' experience. He has experience in all aspects, but is particularly noted for his work in fatal cases and he is one of the very few solicitors who undertake inquests in the Coroner's Courts.
Ian's most well known cases are the Haemophilia HIV cases against the Department of Health in the early 1990s and the House of Lords case of Gregg v Scott.
He also provides litigation support for the Probate department, which entails claims arising out of fraudulent wills, contested probates, claims against estates, claims by estates and disputes between personal executors. This litigation is also known as contentious probate.
In his spare time he enjoys walking, canal boating, swimming, DIY and the theatre.
Contact Ian for:
- Personal Injury
- Clinical Negligence
- Inquests
- Contentious Probate
John Thelwall B.A. Hons Law
jthelwall@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01234 321902
John moved to Bedford in 1987 after completing articles with a general practice in St Neots. He subsequently developed specialities in commercial property, capital taxes and corporate finance.
He has advised clients to the successful conclusion of substantial deals, including the disposal of a multi million pound software business, the reverse take over of an AIM listed PLC and the multi million pound disposal of a public sector heating company and the acquisition, development, and sale of large building sites.
With his knowledge and expertise he is able to offer a strategic view of the needs of both sellers and buyers of businesses and property, taking into account the impact of both capital gains and inheritance taxes.
In his spare time he enjoys the theatre, concert going, golf and travel. Always up for a challenge, John raised over £1200 for charity by abseiling down a 400ft tower in 2008.
Contact John for:
- Corporate Finance
- Shareholder agreements
- Contracts (including software development agreements)
- Estate development (including sales and purchases, option
agreements and overage provisions)
- General Commercial Property advice
Claire Trundley
ctrundley@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01234 312303
Claire graduated in 1990 and joined the firm in 1993; she was made a Partner in 1997.
She has always worked in family law dealing with children (private law), divorce, injunctions, financial matters and separation. She is an accredited specialist of Resolution (formerly known as SFLA) and a trained Collaborative lawyer.
In her spare time Claire keeps busy by collecting antiques, gardening and spending time with her young family.
Contact Claire for:
- Divorce
- Injunctions
- Child matters
- Separation
- Family financial matters
- Collaborative law
- Cohabitation agreements
- Public Funding
Steve Williamson
swilliamson@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01234 321926
Steve is well known in Bedford for his property work. He has practised in the town since qualifying in 1977 and was a partner with Mellows from 1980 until the merger with Heald in June 2004 and subsequent merger with Park Woodfine in April 2007.
He deals with a large volume of residential freehold and leasehold transactions for private individuals, investors and property developers. He also helps clients with commercial property matters, including freehold and leasehold shops and offices.
He is a keen sports fan, having played rugby for many years, as well as squash and cricket. He now plays the gentler game of golf. He is a founder member of the Rotary Club of Bedford De Parys and was its President in 2003/04. He is a school governor and a committee member of two local trusts. Steve is married with two children.
Contact Steve for:
- Conveyancing
- Residential property advice
- Property investment
- General commercial property
Michael Wills LL.B
mwills@pwhmllp.com
DDI: 01234 321904
Michael graduated from Southampton University in 1977. After practising in Milton Keynes from qualifying he moved to Bedford in 1990.
He specialises in and has extensive experience of the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold commercial premises and acting for developers in all aspects of acquiring and disposing of development sites.
Michael understands his client's commercial needs and ensures that he understands their position within their particular market sector. Michael has particular experience within the leisure and dentistry sectors.
In his spare time he enjoys travelling, cooking, gardening, squash and rugby. He is married with two children. Michael is also chairman of the Harrold Playing Fields Association.
Contact Michael for:
- Acquisition of freehold and leasehold commercial
property for both owner occupation and investment purposes.
- Complex property developments (residential and commercial)
- Mobile phone mast leases
- Landlord and Tenant advice
- Asset purchases and sales
- Acquisition and disposal of dental practices
- Overage and clawback arrangements
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