Ian Hunt is our Managing Partner and is an award winning and respected private client specialist with over 35 years’ experience as a qualified Private Client Lawyer. Ian is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, having been admitted as in 1992, and then has since gained his higher level practice rights in 2023 to become a CILEX Lawyer. He is a longstanding full member of both The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (since 1995) and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly) (since 2001) and holds the Older Care in Practice Award. He specialises in Trust and Estate planning work and also Motorsports Law. Ian is a member of the National Mental Capacity Forum, a panel advisor for Mencap and the National Autistic Society and a Commissioner for Oaths. Ian won the CILEX Legal Expert-Private Client Lawyer award in 2018 and the Devon & Somerset Law Society Chartered Legal Executive of the Year award in 2019. Ian is also a member of the CILEX Professional Board and a Trustee of the CILEX Foundation and Ireland Motorsports CIC.
Steven Carman is a partner and the head of our company commercial section. Steven spent the early part of his career with large regional commercial firms and later was a partner at two multi-office firms.
He is a solicitor specialising in the sale and acquisition of companies and businesses. He also advises clients on matters of corporate governance, shareholders’ agreements, management buyouts, group reorganisations and partnerships and LLPs.
He has built lasting relationships with clients as a trusted adviser some of whom have been with him for over 15 years. He has acted in numerous transactions in several sectors including the engineering and manufacturing sector and healthcare practitioners including the medical, dental, veterinary, and pharmaceutical professions.
Steven also has a particular focus on business start-ups.
Adele Hunt is our Practice Manager and COFA and was instrumental in helping Ian set up the Firm in 2012. Adele has a teaching degree and had undertaken her CILEX exams to become a CILEX paralegal in 2019 which enables her to advise and act on elder client matters. Adele has great organisational skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills which help her in managing the Firm. Adele is a member of the Institute of Legal Finance Management and is currently studying for her exams with LFM in compliance and bookkeeping.
Anna Garland is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEX) specialising in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection matters and Probate practice. She is passionate about good client care and clear communication with her clients. Formerly with Hedges Law and Slade Legal, Anna now works as a consultant for East Devon Law in Oxfordshire and runs our Oxfordshire office. Anna brings a wealth of experience to her role. She was previously a primary school teacher and a volunteer at Citizens Advice.
Gloria Ryden is a consultant Notary who initially studied Law at London University before qualifying as a solicitor and then subsequently becoming a Notary Public in 1994. Gloria spent many years teaching law at local colleges. Her specialism is in Private Client matters and she worked at Beviss and Beckingsale at Chard for many years before moving to become a Partner and Head of Department at Sisman Nicholls Solicitors in Bristol. Subsequently she retired as a practicing solicitor to concentrate on providing her expertise as a Notary Public across Devon & Somerset.
Kellie Welch has been a legal secretary for over 20 years working locally in the East Devon Area. Her main experience has been in conveyancing and private client and formerly worked for Ian as his PA at a previous firm. Kellie has now returned to work having had a break for maternity and is now studying for her CILEX examinations as an apprentice Lawyer with East Devon Law. Kellie is also the PA to Ian Hunt the Managing Partner
Chris Seal has worked for law firms for nearly 40 years, principally in Private Client. She has always had an interest in IT and has developed that interest to be involved in the implantation of systems in various firms over the years. Chris looks after our form designs and precedents as well as assisting in maintaining our IT systems.
Pat Cogger has been a legal secretary for over 30 years working locally in Honiton, Axminster and now Ottery St Mary. Her main experience was in conveyancing but has now adapted her skills to Private Client matters and is thoroughly enjoying her return to work following her retirement.
Sue Hulley has lived in East Devon for over 25 years and is an experienced Office Manager and Executive PA . She has now come ‘full circle’ having previously been a legal secretary with experience in Private Client Matters, Conveyancing, Family Department and Litigation. Sue is the PA to Adele Hunt, Practice Manager and will assist her with compliance management within the firm.
