Meet the Lawyer - Matthew Brewer

MATTHEW BREWER OVER TO YOU…

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I am a Property Solicitor based in our Marlborough office having joined Awdry Bailey & Douglas in 2014. I am originally from Chippenham but now live in Wanborough with my partner and our dog, Bertie.

WHAT AREA OF LAW DO YOU WORK IN?

I am based in the firm’s Residential Property Department and I have particular experience in complex and high value Residential Property matters. I regularly deal with the purchase of new build properties, retirement developments and I also act for many local investors looking to expand their property portfolios. As well as working locally, I also have a strong following of London based clients. 

 TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO THE LAW?

After obtaining a Law Degree from Portsmouth University, I initially undertook a work experience placement in the summer of 2014 with ABD in order to obtain hands on experience into the workings of a busy legal practice. I was then offered a role in the firm’s busy Accounts department as well as working with the firm’s Private Client department. Having always been interested in Property and wanting to be a Solicitor, it was not long before I started studying my Legal Practice Course part-time whilst working full-time in the firm’s Devizes Conveyancing Team. I shortly  thereafter relocated to the Marlborough Office and continued my part-time studies at the same time of undertaking a Training Contract to qualify as a Solicitor. In August 2017, I qualified as a Solicitor and I am now looking forward to progressing further with my career.

WHAT ARE 5 WORDS A CLIENT WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOU?

Diligent, Proactive, Approachable, Positive and Efficient.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?

Qualifying as a Solicitor has to be the stand out highlight in my career so far. After studying and working hard for over 7 years, the achievement of qualification makes this all worth the effort. I also receive a great deal of satisfaction from seeing individual property transactions complete and being a part of my clients journey, whether this is purchasing their first home or downsizing into retirement accommodation.

WHAT/WHO INSPIRES YOU?

Many of my senior colleagues inspire me on a daily basis. Watching and learning from those who have been in my shoes already is a huge benefit and inspires me to be successful.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?

I am a huge sports fan and a keen follower of Newcastle United, although this can be painful at the best of times!! When possible, I also try to lower my golf handicap to mixed success and I am keen skier. My weekends are usually enjoyed going on long walks with my partner and our dog and I can often be found sampling an alcoholic beverage in a local pub.

Influence And Empower Your Team - SEMINAR

There is a worldwide employee disengagement crisis

A good employee can be your businesses greatest asset, but a poor performing one will cost you time and money. This seemingly silent profit killer is growing amongst disenfranchised employees and it could be happening right under your nose.

Your employees might be showing up for work, but if they are checked-out and unenthusiastic then their loss of passion and commitment is costing you money. They might be putting in time but if they are sleepwalking, their lack of productivity will be undermining the good work that your engaged employees are putting in and lowering morale.

As a business owner we know your time is precious. That’s why the experts have been called in.  Join Awdry Bailey & Douglas’ expert Employment Lawyer Rachel Fereday alongside ActionCOACH Peter Rolliston on Tuesday 25th September from 9.30 - 1.00pm at Guyers House in Corsham where they will take business owners and managers through the right steps to influence and empower their teams to get the most out of them.

Click here to register to join the seminar.

During this insightful event our qualified expert speakers will be covering:

• How to protect your business against rising tribunal claims

• HR documentation and how often should I be updating it

• How to reduce sickness and absence

• Top tips for managing disciplinary and grievance situations

• Why employee engagement is vital for every successful business

• Creating a highly engaged working culture.

• Engage your team and grow

Following the event you can enjoy a complimentary lunch with other regional business leaders and our team will be on hand to answer any questions you have.

Find out more about Rachel Fereday and her team at ABD here.

Meet the Lawyer - Tim Hotchkiss

TIM HOTCHKISS OVER TO YOU… 

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I am an Equity Partner of ABD based at and managing the firm’s Marlborough office.  I live in a village just outside of Marlborough with my wife and our baby son, who at the time of writing is 4 months old. 

WHAT AREA OF LAW DO YOU WORK IN?

I am based in the firm’s Commercial Department and have particular expertise in Development, Commercial Property and Agricultural Property as well as specialising in complex and high value Residential Property matters and Company Law.  I act for a wide range of clients locally and further afield, with a particularly strong portfolio of London property work. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO THE LAW?

I started my career at ABD in September 2004 having deferred my place at the University of Nottingham where I was intending to study English.  Having always been interested in the legal profession, I felt that one year of work experience in a law firm would give me a solid foundation for potentially entering into a career in the legal profession once I had completed my academic studies.  

It was not long before I started researching other routes to qualification as a lawyer and I took the decision to enrol with the ILEX Tutorial College with a view to becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (FILEX).  After completing academic studies stretching over a 5 year period, I qualified as one of the youngest legal executives in the country during my mid-20s.  I was particularly proud of this achievement having undertaken a programme of part-time studies whilst running a full caseload in ABD’s Litigation Department.

I quickly decided to investigate the route to progressing to qualify as a solicitor.  I was advised that I had to undertake the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) in order to sit the Legal Practice Course (LPC).  I enrolled on the part-time GDL at the Leicester Institute of Legal Practice and completed the course with a Distinction. This enabled me to then enrol on the two year part-time LPC, again at the Leicester Institute of Legal Practice.  Having undertaken academic studies in law over a period of approximately 8 years, I was relieved to conclude the LPC and was delighted to be awarded a Distinction.  I qualified as a solicitor shortly after completion of the LPC. 

I became a Salaried Partner of ABD in 2016 and an Equity Partner in 2017.  

WHAT ARE 5 WORDS A CLIENT WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE YOU?

Logical – I am a firm believer in seeking to keep issues as simple as possible and always strive to provide clear advice to clients combined with sound reasoning. 

Efficient – I pride myself on providing an efficient service to all of my clients and have a strong team around me to ensure that such standards of service are always maintained. 

Diligent – ABD always seeks to recruit lawyers that are attentive, offer an excellent client service and have a constant drive to achieve our clients’ aims.  I am no different and firmly believe in this objective. 

Professional – There is no doubt that the law has changed over the years and that many of my clients prefer a more relaxed approach from their solicitor than perhaps once was the case.  That said, one must never forget the overriding duty of professionalism which is displayed by me and every other lawyer at ABD.

Tenacious – The transactions that I work on are often complex and there is always a danger of negotiations becoming protracted.  There is a certain tenacity in my approach to such transactions that clients would recognise, and which I believe is an important asset in getting a deal done. 

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?

As my colleagues will testify, I love my job and have had many career highlights to date.  Attending the Court of Appeal with Counsel on a case concerning the fiduciary duty of directors to avoid conflicts of interest is certainly up there in terms of my early experience. In recent times, I have derived particular satisfaction in dealing with a significant number of multi-million pound acquisitions of properties and development sites for well known developers and property investors both locally and further afield.  I am also particularly proud of the strong connection that I have forged with a number of property finance brokers based in and around London giving me access to a wide range of clients and contacts nationwide. 

WHAT/WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I thoroughly enjoy being involved in deal-making and achieving the best possible result from my clients.  It is particularly satisfying to be involved in complex transactions from their infancy and seeing them through to a successful conclusion.  This is certainly where I derive my inspiration from. 

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?

I am a keen golfer and am always striving to lower my handicap (often unsuccessfully).  I also enjoy walking, particularly along some of the glorious South West Coast Path routes, cycling, and travelling to far flung destinations, although such adventures may have to be curtailed for the time being with a baby son now on board.  I enjoy watching most sports and am an avid Liverpool Football Club fan as well as a follower of Bath Rugby.