CILEX SRG (Specialist Reference Group) Adviser

What is a CILEX SRG Adviser?

A CILEX SRG Adviser is a voluntary role open to members of the relevant CILEX Specialist Reference Group (SRG). Our Advisers play a critical role in providing advice, guidance and views on specific matters relating to their specialist area of legal practice to help inform CILEX’S wider policy work and practice advice.

CILEX Advisers attend meetings or events on behalf of us and ensure that important topics discussed consider the impacts or benefits towards our members. Our Advisers also contribute insightful articles to CILEX’s monthly SRG newsletters. These articles can cover a recent meeting they attended or a topic of passion to them that is of benefit to members of their SRG and beyond.

CILEX is proud of the hard work and dedication that our Advisers volunteer to us to help ensure that our members voice is heard and that our direction is steered by expert knowledge. If you are a CILEX member and haven’t joined one of our 15 SRG’s please visit the links below to find out more. If you are interested in the role of an SRG Adviser and would like to be considered at a later date, please check back from time to time to see when vacancies are launched.

You can read more about our Professional Panel & SRG Adviser role policy here.

Civil Practitioners SRG

Liz Kendall – Litigation Executive/Business Development Manager

Liz is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is a Mediator Fellow (CMC) with Devon & Somerset Law Society Mediation Panel where she is Vice Chair and one of the founding members.  She also undertakes voluntary community mediation.

Liz is a Litigation Executive/Business Development Manager with Everys Solicitors LLP where she splits her time between civil litigation and helping to expand the business.  She has a background in personal injury law and monetary claims, with a special interest in liability disputes.

Liz also has a vast experience working in the Health & Wellbeing industry, liaising with both employers and employees to promote the benefits of providing a healthy environment in which to work.

Fun fact:  Liz likes to write poetry, predominantly for her children’s amusement.

Maria O’Connell – Partner

Maria O’Connell is an Equity Partner in the Civil Liberties department at Hodge Jones Allen LLP. She specialises in public and private law litigation and statutory complaints primarily focussing on claims against the police, prison and probation authorities to include expertise in protest and prisoner right litigation.

When not bringing associated public law challenges in a criminal justice context, Maria also acts for families in inquest proceedings, again predominantly those involving deaths in either police or prison detention or, increasingly following suicides of domestic violence victims.

She has strong expertise in public funding matters having previously advised within their Special Cases/Exceptional Cases Unit who oversee high value and high-profile litigation in receipt of public funds.

Maria is a member of the INQUEST, Centre for Women’s Justice and AAFDA legal referral panels and a member of the Police Actions Lawyer Group advocating for access to justice.

Gemma Spratt – Chartered Legal Executive

Gemma is a Chartered Legal Executive specialising in Defendant Professional Indemnity work. Gemma defends claims against all kinds of professionals (Solicitors, Accountants, Design & Build Professionals, Property Managing Agents etc) and investigate how (or if!) a professional indemnity insurance policy will respond to a claim. Gemma also assists with regulatory matters linked to claims (LeO, ICAEW). Generally, Gemma’s work is for Insurers who indemnify their policy holders in the event of a claim, but Gemma does undertake limited private work too.

Gemma has worked in this area for 6 years now, having begun her CILEX Level 6 specialising in family law. Prior to the Law, Gemma was a teaching assistant, retail manager (including for the Disney Store) and a nail technician. Fun fact about Gemma is she is also qualified in spray tanning and says that might just have been the most fun overall. Something about a spray tan makes people feel brand new!

Commercial SRG

Edward Moon – In-House Legal Counsel

Edward is a qualified Legal Executive (FILEX) with a background in Intellectual Property, Commercial, and Public Procurement law. Currently serving as In-House Legal Counsel at Boxxe Limited, Edward specialises in contract negotiation and risk mitigation, ensuring the business navigates complex legal landscapes with confidence.

With over three years of post-qualification experience across both private practice and in-house roles, Edward takes a strategic and solutions-focused approach to legal challenges. Edward is committed to supporting initiatives that shape the future of the legal.

Outside of work, Edward enjoys exploring new vegetarian recipes and learning Spanish —siempre ansioso por aprender en la vida (always eager to learn and grow in every aspect of life).

Crime SRG

Janine Cowie – Legal Adviser (Crime)

Janine changed careers in 2015 and went back to University to complete the Graduate Diploma in Law before qualifying via CILEX in August 2021, whilst working as a paralegal. Between 2021 and 2024 Janine worked in criminal defence and regulatory law before moving to the civil service in January 2025. Janine is now a Legal Advisor in Training (Crime) at HMCTS in Newport, South Wales. Janine joined the Crime SRG in 2024 and this led to her appointment to represent CILEX on Legal Board Wales.

Outside of work Janine volunteers for my local Hospital Radio Station and was a drummer in the London 2012 opening and closing ceremonies!

Jonathan Mellody – Senior Caseworker and Police Station Representative

Jonathan is a qualified Legal Executive and Advocate. He and has been with MK Law as a senior caseworker and police station representative since 2014. Passionate in his pursuit of justice, Jonathan leaves no stone unturned in the care of his clients and the defence of their case. He is meticulous in case preparation ensuring all avenues are explored to secure the best possible outcomes.

Jonathan guides clients through the complex and often distressing process which begins at the police station and ends in the court system. He studied under CILEX and has a keen eye for defence work and a knowledgeable overview of the workings of the criminal justice system.

As well as an impressive track record litigating serious crime cases, Jonathan is regularly at the Magistrates Court providing the strongest advocacy possible for his clients.

Employment SRG

Michael Coe

Michael Coe ACILEX is an independent Award winning ‘Best Employment Law / HR Paralegal ‘National Paralegal Awards, 2019, 2022 and an Award winning trainer,2009.

In 2021 Michael opened the Paralegal Dept ( under Dimension 88® ) as an employment law /HR consultancy offering outsourced Employment Law and HR services, to small medium enterprises requiring Employment law support.

Michael is a qualified Paralegal and holds CIPD Level 7 Human Resources and Employment Law, QCF qualifications. He also holds the level 3 Award in Education and Training working in the Lifelong learning sector.

Michael is passionate about Employment Law and working in the legal sector. He became a CILEX member in 2024 and as a part of CILEX is an SRG Adviser for Employment.

In Michael’s spare time he is a volunteer with ‘Inspiring the Future for Schools’ and has visited Suffolk schools since 2012 giving careers talks to students.

Family SRG

Linsey McDonald FCLIX – Family Court Users

Linsey is a highly experienced Family Law specialist focused on helping clients achieve favourable outcomes, even in complex divorces and disputes. In 2019, Linsey was named ‘Chartered Legal Executive of the Year’ at the Family Law Awards.

Linsey joined Switalskis in 2007, following the acquisition of her previous employers’ Legal Aid Family Law practice. She then became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2008. In 2018, Linsey became an Associate of Switalskis, following her successful completion of their in-house Associate Development Programme. Linsey joined King Street Solicitors at the end of 2021, which specialise in family and childcare law.

Linsey has specialised in family law for a number of years and has a wide range of experience in dealing with divorce, matrimonial finances, same sex marriages, children and of obtaining emergency injunctions in domestic violence cases. Linsey brings expert knowledge to her SRG Adviser role, focusing on all aspects associated with family courts and tribunals in England and Wales.

Fun fact: Linsey has assisted in raising over £125,000 for charity, which included taking part in a 15,000 ft sky dive and recommends it to anyone who can experience it.

Kirsty McKenzie – Trainee Legal Executive

Kirsty is a Trainee Legal Executive at Hall Brown Family Law based in Manchester. Kirsty successfully completed her CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice and is now working towards her application for fellowship of the institution to become a Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx). Kirsty has further ambitions of completing Litigation and Advocacy rights courses to enable her to become a CILEX Litigator and Advocate.

Linsey joined Switalskis in 2007, following the acquisition of her previous employers’ Legal Aid Family Law practice. She then became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2008. In 2018, Linsey became an Associate of Switalskis, following her successful completion of their in-house Associate Development Programme. Linsey joined King Street Solicitors at the end of 2021, which specialise in family and childcare law.

Kirsty is currently developing her expertise across all areas of family law, including divorce, finances and children matters and brings her experience and passion working on high-net-worth cases and complex financial remedy disputes.

Personal Injury SRG

Siobhan Thomas – Partner

Ronan is a CILEX lawyer, with civil litigation practice rights. Ronan specialises in industrial disease, helping vulnerable people who have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening. Ronan supports claims for justice and compensation to help individuals secure financial support at a time when they need it most.

Siobhan specialises in serious injuries, specifically acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury and serious complex orthopaedic injuries, acting for both adults and children. Siobhan’s experience includes dealing with many multi-million pound cases, civil trials and hearings in both the High Court in London and the Court of Appeal. Siobhan has particular expertise in paediatric brain injuries. Siobhan is also a member of APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), as a Senior Litigator.

In her spare time, Siobhan is part of the London fundraising group for the Child Brain Injury Trust. Siobhan organises and takes part in charity fundraising events to raise money and awareness for the charity, to support those who have suffered catastrophic injury through negligence.

Ronan Kennedy – CILEX Lawyer

Ronan is a CILEX lawyer, with civil litigation practice rights. Ronan specialises in industrial disease, helping vulnerable people who have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening. Ronan supports claims for justice and compensation to help individuals secure financial support at a time when they need it most.

Ronan’s ambition has always been to be a lawyer and make a positive difference to people facing injustice. Ronan chose to specialise in Industrial Disease and asbestos compensation claims for this reason. Ronan helps people who have worked all their lives only to have their retirement tragically limited or cut short by an avoidable disease. They have been let down by their employers and successive governments. Ronan seeks justice and support on their behalf.

Fact: As part of a misspent youth, Ronan was the lead singer in a local rock band.

Property SRG

Anna Davey – Senior Associate

Anna is a CILEX Conveyancing Practitioner and has been working in Property Law since 2007. For the last decade Anna has worked in Bournemouth on the South Coast in residential conveyancing, having started her career in London.

Anna is a strong advocate of passing on tips and information to other conveyancers in the team. Anna believes that any experience, good or bad, should be passed on to more junior members of the team in order that they learn from her experiences in order to help make them more rounded in their experience too. Since enrolling with CILEX as a student in 2010, Anna has made it her mission to champion the CILEX brand and to do everything possible “to prove that my fellow CILEX professionals and I are more than deserving of a seat at the same table as other legal professionals, regardless of the method or route of qualification”.

Anna also sits as a representative for CILEX on the Home Buying and Selling Council and on the Stamp Duty Land Tax Working Together Group.

Fun fact: Anna has a miniature dachshund called Dave who acts as her Paralegal when working from home.

Victoria Williams

Victoria sits as a representative for CILEX on the Digital Property Marketing Steering Group.

Private Client SRG

Ashleigh Bryant Fower – Head of Vulnerable Client Services

Ashleigh is a Chartered Legal Executive, currently working with Kiteleys Solicitors in her role as Head of Vulnerable Client Services.  Ashleigh’s legal background is Private Client although she specialises in Court of Protection, Mental Capacity and Vulnerable Clients.  Ashleigh’s specialism exposes her to areas of our social care system which are unknown to most, and it provides me with a great sense of job satisfaction to help those who are vulnerable within our society.

Ashleigh started her legal career as a receptionist straight out of college. Ashleigh’s CILEX journey began at eighteen, allowing her to qualify young and gain extensive experience over the last ten years. Whilst it was a struggle to work full-time and study, it has given her insight to all areas of law practice from support to fee-earning which only improves the services that we provide.

Ashleigh is also passionate about Pro Bono work, and giving her time to those who don’t know where to turn.  “Whilst I cannot always help, being able to listen and direct is invaluable to those who are struggling”.