Property Team
Alice Brett
Solicitor and Managing Partner, Property Department
Alice qualified as a Solicitor into the Civil Litigation Department in September 2012. She joined the Partnership in April 2015 and is our managing partner. Alice now specialises in residential property. Alongside the law, Alice is also a trustee for Grassroots, a charity which helps small groups in Colchester and Tendring.
Email: [email protected]
Cate Cussell
Solicitor and Partner, Head of Property Department Colchester
Cate covers all aspects of Property including a wide range of commercial matters, leases and residential sales and purchases. Cate approaches every client issue with a clear sense of commercial awareness. Before law, Cate had a successful career in sales. She then studied law part time with BPP in London finishing her studies in 2012.
Email: [email protected]
Robert Macaulay
Consultant, Property Department Colchester
After being educated at Felsted and London University, Robert farmed on the family farm for 30 years. He was involved both at local and national level in farming policy matters. Robert changed career in 2000 and joined GoodyBurrett LLP. Robert is now a Consultant, working as a part of the conveyancing team with a special interest in commercial property and agriculture.
Email: [email protected]
Elise Leeder
Trainee Licensed Conveyancer
Elise joined GoodyBurrett in February 2022 and works as a Trainee Licensed Conveyancer. Elise has a strong interest in history and in her free time enjoys visiting castles, museums and other historic sites.
Email: [email protected]
Simona Cuibus
Trainee Solicitor
Simona joined GoodyBurrett in August 2021 as a Paralegal and started her Training Contract with the firm in January 2022. Prior to joining GoodyBurrett Simona studied her LLB Law with Human Rights Degree at The University of Essex achieving a First-Class degree with Honours. In 2021, while working for the firm, Simona obtained a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course with integrated Master of Laws at BPP Law School. In her free time, Simona enjoys reading, painting, exploring and trying new recipes for her cooking blog.
Email: [email protected]
Claire Lane
Secretary to Property Department
Claire joined GoodyBurrett in April 2017 in the Private Client department, Claire now works in our Conveyancing Department. Outside of work Claire enjoys sending time with her husband and two children. Claire also enjoys running and socialising with friends.
Email: [email protected]
Katelin
Secretary, Conveyancing and Private Client
Katelin joined GoodyBurrett in May 2021 and is currently working as a Legal Secretary to Cate Cussell and Georgina Leighton. Before joining GoodyBurrett Katelin completed her A-levels in Business achieving an overall final grade of AB. Outside of work, Katelin loves spending time with her very energetic Beagle, Beau, travelling and visiting new places.
Email: [email protected]
Family Team
Sue Devereaux
Solicitor, Family Department Colchester
Susan qualified in 1990. Since then, she has specialised in private Family Law, including all aspects of pre- and post-nuptial settlements, divorce and separation. Sue carries out most of the work herself, including advocacy. Each relationship is unique and therefore requires a sensible and creative, tailored approach. As a member of Resolution and trained Mediator, Susan is well-qualified to help.
Email: [email protected]
Cavelle Leigh
Paralegal, Colchester
Cavelle supports the firm in her role as a paralegal, with a particular focus on family and commercial matters. She is studying the LPC and looking to qualify as a solicitor thereafter. A move into law came after an optical career and she is looking to use the skills she has developed to provide clients with an empathetic and practical approach. Cavelle also enjoys coastal walks, life drawing and her cat Pebbles.
Email: [email protected]
Nicola Gooding
Secretary, Family Department Colchester
Nicola joined GoodyBurrett LLP in April 2014, and works in the Family Department. Outside of work, Nicola enjoys running and spending time with her husband and two children.
Email: [email protected]
Private Client Team
Sue Mullis
Legal Executive, Colchester
Sue Mullis originally started working with Goody Bentley & Son in 1974 as secretary to the late Bernard Bentley. Sue subsequently came back to the firm after having children and went on to qualify as a Legal Executive specialising in Wills, Trusts and Probate in 1994.
Email: [email protected]
Helen Firth
Partner & Solicitor, Head of Private Client Department, Colchester
Helen joined GoodyBurrett in 2017, and in July 2021, joined GoodBurrett’s Partnership. Helen is also the Head of our Private Client Team. She specialises in a wide variety of private client work including drafting Wills, from very simple Wills to complex Wills including a wide variety of trusts, advising clients on Lasting Powers of Attorney, setting up trusts, and administration of estates, regularly advising executors and administrators of both simple and intricate estates. Helen is also very experienced and can advise on Court of Protection and capacity matters. Her objective is to always offer the highest standard of both legal and practical advice to support her clients and their families. Helen is a qualified Dementia Friend and therefore has the expertise to assist families supporting a loved one with Dementia.
Email: [email protected]
Jane Maher
Secretary to Private Client Department Colchester
Jane works as a secretary in the Private Client Department providing support to Sue Mullis, Louise Repper and Helen Firth. Jane previously worked for GoodyBurrett for over 8 years but after a brief interlude with other Solicitors firms, Jane has now returned ‘home’. When not at work Jane enjoys sunny holidays, cycling for leisure, socialising with friends and walking her dog, Sophie.
Email: [email protected]
Victoria Bibby
Senior Associate Solicitor, Private Client Department Colchester
Victoria Bibby joined the firm in 2006, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2001. She assists and advises the Private Client Team on all matters, especially focussing on the financial, tax and accounting aspects of these. Victoria successfully administers several of our Trust and Attorney matters and regularly liaises with all parties involved including the Trustees, family members, Financial Advisors and Accountants.
Outside of work Victoria enjoys walking her dogs, pilates and spending time with her family on their boat on the River Blackwater.
Email: [email protected]
Louise Repper
Solicitor, Private Client Department Colchester
Louise qualified as a Solicitor 2016. Since qualifying, Louise moved to the charity sector working in the Legacy Department for one of the top 5 UK charities and has now returned to private practice in 2019. Louise is able to assist and advise on all matters surrounding Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection. She is also a qualified Dementia Friend and has the ability to support those living with dementia and their loved ones. Outside of work, Louise is kept very busy with her daughter.
Email: [email protected]
Georgina Leighton
Partner & Solicitor, Private Client Department
Georgina qualified as a solicitor in 2010. She joined the Private Client Team in September 2019. Georgina can assist with all aspects of Private Client work including Wills, Probate, Estate Planning, Powers of Attorney, Deputyship Applications and work related to Care Fees and NHS Continuing Care Applications. Georgina is also a Trustee of MIND West Essex. Outside of work she enjoys running, watching football, reading and spending time with her family.
Email: [email protected]
Katelin
Secretary, Conveyancing and Private Client
Katelin joined GoodyBurrett in May 2021 and is currently working as a Legal Secretary to Cate Cussell and Georgina Leighton. Before joining GoodyBurrett Katelin completed her A-levels in Business achieving an overall final grade of AB. Outside of work, Katelin loves spending time with her very energetic Beagle, Beau, travelling and visiting new places.
Email: [email protected]
Commercial Team
Stephen Avila
Solicitor, Head of Commercial Department Colchester
Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and prior to joining us to lead our commercial team in June 2018 was an Associate Solicitor with a well known regional firm. Stephen is recognised by the Legal 500 and advises on a wide range of commercial and corporate matters with a strong focus on working with technology and digital focused businesses, business sales, investment rounds and joint ventures.
Email: [email protected]
David Cammack
Solicitor and Notary Public, Commercial Department Colchester
David is a qualified solicitor and notary public. David qualified as a solicitor in 1995, as a notary in 2004 and was a partner in Birkett Long until 2015 when he left to found the Internet legal business, Legalo.
David now divides his time between managing Legalo and advising clients of GoodyBurrett as a solicitor-consultant.
Email: [email protected]
Cavelle Leigh
Paralegal, Colchester
Cavelle supports the firm in her role as a paralegal, with a particular focus on family and commercial matters. She is studying the LPC and looking to qualify as a solicitor thereafter. A move into law came after an optical career and she is looking to use the skills she has developed to provide clients with an empathetic and practical approach. Cavelle also enjoys coastal walks, life drawing and her cat Pebbles.
Email: [email protected]
Office Support Team
Heather Barnard
Receptionist, Colchester
Heather is the receptionist in the Colchester office and joined GoodyBurrett LLP in 2007. In her role as receptionist Heather enjoys meeting and welcoming clients and visitors to the firm, both face to face and on the telephone. Heather enjoys walking and cycling and is a keen advocate of the Cycle to Work challenge.
Email: [email protected]
Lizzie Cayford
Legal Secretary and Receptionist
Lizzie had over 8 years’ experience working within the legal sector when she started working at GoodyBurrett in 2014.
Lizzie works as a Legal Secretary and Receptionist here at GoodyBurrett.
Lizzie’s interests outside of work include enjoying food and drink with family and friends, reading and travelling.
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Bantick
Receptionist
Hannah has worked in Administration for 14 years and joined GoodyBurrett in 2021. Outside work Hannah enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys walking her dog by the sea.
Email: [email protected]
Accounts Department
Sue Hawes
Practice Manager, Colchester
Sue joined Goody Burrett in December 2018 as Assistant Practice Manager, moving away from retail banking after 35 years. Sur is now GoodyBurrett’s Practice Manager. Sue has a keen interest in the local voluntary sector having been heavily involved whilst raising her 3 children. Sue also works as the Director of Grassroots charity, a local grant-making organisation.
Email: [email protected]
Sophie Robinson
Accounts Manager
Sophie joined GoodyBurrett in January 2020 as a Practice Administrator and has now worked her way up to become our Accounts Manager. She is currently working towards her AAT qualification. Outside of work Sophie enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family, friends and puppy Milo.
Email: [email protected]