The Team

Alan Markham

Partner – Family Law
Alan has practised in the area of Family Law since his qualification in 1983 and is a highly experienced family lawyer advising on a wide range of family issues, including divorce, financial matters on separation, cohabitee disputes, pre-nuptial agreements, and problems relating to the arrangements for children.

He is conscious of, and understands, that clients face emotional issues in such situations. He works with clients to help them to find practical solutions to what are often difficult and complex legal problems – doing so in a caring and yet cost-effective manner. Alan is committed to using a conciliatory approach to resolving family disputes and will always strive to achieve the best possible result for clients in the least confrontational way. However, where this involves court proceedings, Alan has considerable experience in resolving complex cases.

Areas of Practice

  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • Cohabitation
  • Civil partnership
  • Child arrangements
  • Pre-nuptial agreements

Email: [email protected]      

    David Ratcliffe

    Partner – Wills, Probate & Trusts

    David Ratcliffe was admitted as a solicitor in 1986 and has been in private practice since. He has dealt with many areas of law since qualification but now specialises in Wills, estate planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the administration of estates. He also deals with commercial matters.

    David is experienced in advising clients on a wide range of issues concerning their personal affairs, including drafting or amending a Will, and can provide advice on wider inheritance planning issues. David also provides clients with advice on the creation and management of trusts and on issues for the elderly including the general administration of affairs, the appropriate use of Lasting Powers of Attorney and issues relating to nursing home fees.

    Areas of Practice

    • Wills
    • Administration of estates and grants of probate
    • Trusts
    • Lasting powers of attorney
    • Estate planning
    Email: [email protected]       

      Jodi Pritchett

      Licensed Conveyancer and Head of Conveyancing

      Jodi joined the firm in June 2018 and is head of the Residential Conveyancing department.  She began her legal career in 1999 and qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2004. After qualifying, Jodi worked for a leading national law firm in residential conveyancing for the next 13 years before joining JGF.

      Jodi has extensive experience in all areas of residential conveyancing, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-mortgages, transfers of equity, shared ownership and new build property transactions. Combining her legal knowledge and experiences in the industry, together with her management experience and approachable nature, Jodi prides herself in providing an excellent customer experience by tailoring each individual transaction to her client’s needs, through her technical knowledge, pro-activity and flexibility in communication along with providing a personal service to each individual.

      Areas of Practice

      • Sales and purchases
      • Leasehold property
      • Re-mortgages
      • Transfers of equity
      • Shared ownerships
      Email: [email protected]      

        Fiona Gray

        Conveyancer

        Fiona is a highly experienced residential conveyancer with more than ten years’ experience in this area.

        Her expertise includes surrender and regrant of leases, assents, transfers of equity, newbuild purchases and auction work.

        Areas of Practice

        • Sales and purchases
        • Leasehold property
        • Assents
        • Transfers of equity
        • Newbuild purchases
        • Auctions
        Sophie Mack
        Solicitor

        Sophie Mack was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 and has been in private practice since. Her area of particular specialisation is in Private Client matters, including Will drafting, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the administration of estates. She also has experience in applications to the Court of Protection.

        Sophie advises on issues for the elderly (she is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly).

        Areas of Practice

        • Wills
        • Administration of estates and Grants of Probate
        • Lasting powers of attorney
        • Court of Protection matters
        Helen Ellis
        Conveyancer

        Helen joined the firm as a part-time Conveyancer in October 2022 having worked at a leading national law firm for over 20 years. Helen has considerable experience of residential conveyancing including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-mortgages and new build property transactions and has a particular interest in dealing with un-registered property sales and purchases. Helen works alongside Jodi Pritchett and Fiona Gray, assisting with their cases and prides herself in providing excellent levels of client care and providing a personal service to each client.

        Areas of Practice

        • Sales and Purchases
        • Leasehold Property
        • Re-Mortgages
        • Unregistered property