Our Experts

Abigail Case

Admin and Legal Assistant

Over the past four years the firm has offered a legal placement to University students. Abigail is a Law Student from Bournemouth University and she joined the Firm in June 2011 as this year's Placement Student. Abigail took the role of Admin and Legal Assistant and assists all the departments where ever needed.
 
Working alongside Daniel Richards, the Office Manager, Abigail learns firsthand the internal running of the firm, developing a number of business skills and, of course, BUSINESS ACUMEN. Fortunately this year she has been able to take the role further by becoming involved with large scale lease projects, attending an employment disciplinary alongside the Employment Solicitors as well as assisting with documents drafting.
 
"My peers envy my hands on involvement and the substantial role I have in the Firm. Many of them spend their year filing an photo copying, so it is great to be given this opportunity to be part of the ACUMEN Family"

Alastair Scragg

Corporate Commercial Solicitor

Alastair is a Corporate Commercial Solicitor who advises on company and commercial contracts Alastair enjoys getting to know his clients and fostering long term working relationships. As a department, we take pride in seeking to understand how our clients work in order to ensure that where possible, the legals fit the client rather than the client fitting the legals. Adapting the "commercial lawyers with business acumen" approach of the Firm, Alastair looks at the business needs of the client as well as the legal requirements.

Chris Boakes

Director & Head of Company Commercial Department

Chris is an experienced Company Commercial solicitor and specialises in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder's agreements, commercial contracts and business negotiations.
 
Prior to becoming a solicitor he worked in businesses that retained solicitors and so has experienced both sides of the 'desk' and has used that experience to guide the way he interacts with people (or how not to!).
 
After qualifying in a well known multi disciplinary firm Chris took a position at a firm that specialised in commercial transactions and then joined the ACUMEN team in 2008. The company commercial department has grown and gone from strength to strength with their personable approach and fixed fees charging system.

Daniel Richards

Office Manager

Daniel was a placement student with ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW for one year. It was such a perfect match that we wanted him back after graduating and Daniel is now our fantastic Office Manager.
 
Daniel's main duty is to ensure the office runs in an appropriate manner so that the solicitors can carry out their work to the highest standard. His role involves the continuing development of the computer systems, planning and overseeing all administrative support for the company, coordinating and communicating office activities, reception duties, supplies and stationery and general troubleshooting. As a past student, Daniel is also responsible for the development and the employment of the new intake of placement students.

Josh Little

Commercial Law - Media Advisor

Josh joined ACUMEN in 2010 and heads up the IP & Media department. Named 'Josh the legal Guy' by Mr Frank Skinner,  Josh works with a wide range of clients within the creative industries. Josh provides clients with specialist media advice in areas such as Copyright, Intellectual Property Rights, Trade Marks, Licensing, Distribution and Libel and Slander. Prior to joining ACUMEN, Josh worked for Music Glue, a direct to consumer marketing solution for artists and event promoters. He therefore has knowledge of the industry from both an artist and consumer point of view.

Nicole Humphreys

Employment Solicitor

Nicole is an Employment Solicitor specialising in all areas of employment law and working with both employers and employees.  Her approach is tactical and methodical providing practical solutions and best advice within the boundaries of employment law legislation.  Maximise the potential of your employees and create an effective working environment - the rest will follow!
 
Nicole works with all sizes of businesses at all levels and has expertise and knowledge of a variety of sector industries enabling her to provide relevant advice and guidance specifically tailored to your business. 
 
Nicole trained with ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW following her degree at Sussex University and professional studies at the College of Law in Guildford.  She previously worked for a major financial institution.

Oliver Asha

Commercial Property and Environmental Solicitor - Director

Oliver is based in the Brighton & Hove Office and heads the Commercial Property and Environmental Law Department at ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW.  His role can be split into 3 main headings:
 
Business Relocation - helping businesses move properties, expand into new premises or exit failing sites.  Oliver is an expert at negotiating commercial leases and boasts excellent turn-around times and completion rates for both landlords and tenants. 
 
Environmental and Energy - working with green businesses nationwide seeking to expand the use of green energy.  He has assisted various nationally active businesses install Photovoltaic Energy (solar power) and Solar Thermal units, and advised on other sustainability-related issues.
 
Development and Property Management - working with freeholders, landlords and tenants in site acquisition, development and management of freehold and leasehold properties including contentious and non-contentious property work.
 
Outside of the office, Oliver is involved with voluntary organisations (Honorary Solicitor at the Brighton Youth Centre), sports (Hove Rugby Club, Brighton Water sports, and Skiing), and photography.

Penina Shepherd

MD & Commercial Solicitor

Penina has over 15 years experience both as a solicitor in England and as a barrister abroad. She worked for top 100 UK Law Firms both as Partner & Head of Department and she regularly advises clients on Company, Commercial and Business Law matters. Penina is also an expert in the region on Shares, Incentives & Benefits Schemes advising regularly on HMRC Approved Schemes as well as Unapproved.

Penina was nominated for Gatwick Diamond Business Person of the Year 2011, Sussex Business Person of the Year 2010 and for the Director of London & South East Award 2010 by the Institute of Directors. She is also the honorary solicitor and sits on the board of the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce (BHCC), the Burgess Hill Business Park Association (BHBPA) and the Charity Sussex Clubs for Young People (SCYP).

Phil Thompson

Operations and Planning Consultant

Phil's successful career spans over 25 years in the IT sector,  selling and marketing  strategic software solutions to large blue chip organisations. He has held a number of senior sales and director positions in major corporates, such as McDonnell Douglas Information Systems and,  Managing Director of a successful CRM company.
 
Phil is our operations and planning consultant and is responsible for internal processes and communications on all matters relating to strategy and sales.  His current focus is on developing future strategies that will further expand our business and, help establish ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW as a national brand.

Ruby Dinsmore

Employment Solicitor

Ruby specialises in Employment law, including strategy and commercial best practice, and provides a unique blend of consultancy and advice to a broad variety of clients.  Ruby deals with a range of contentious and non contentious cases, including the defence of tribunal claims, rationalisation programmes, director disputes and drafting of employment documents.
               
Ruby's client base ranges from SME's to international companies in a variety of industry sectors including, leisure and tourism, media, recruitment, education, health sector, consultancy, financial providers and high value individuals.

Before joining the practice Ruby obtained a Masters in Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin and then studied law at the University of Sussex and the College of Law in Guildford. Ruby has worked for IBM Ireland and BT in their Dublin and Gatwick offices as an International Project Manager, and subsequently as a Business Improvement Consultant. Ruby is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Sophia Lee-Spencer

Marketing Assistant

After graduating from university with an honours degree in European Studies and French, Sophia embarked on a career working for some of the world's biggest corporations as well as for small, family owned enterprises in a variety of industries from biotechnology, security and defence to landscaping, leisure and tourism and corporate hospitality.
 
Sophia joined Acumen in 2011 to provide support for the firm's marketing activities. She works closely with the management team on a variety of exciting projects including the prestigious ACUMEN BUSINESS CONVENTION, an annual non-profit event to support and educate local business leaders, and the launch of the new ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW ENTERPRISE scheme which will see the Acumen brand extending across the UK over the coming years. Her role covers all aspects of marketing including events management, PR, copywriting and research.

Tom Creed

Financial Controller

Tom is a chartered accountant, and runs the finance department of ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW. In addition to the looking after and the firm's financing and the day-to-day accounting, Tom is also responsible for compliance with the rules on finance management as laid down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
 
Tom qualified with Deloitte before going on to spend three years working in the city with Pearson, but is now happily escaped from the smoke and based in Brighton. After working in corporate world of FTSE 100 London, Tom finds the culture and ethos of ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW refreshingly different and the role far more strategic and creative than simply crunching numbers.

Sally Mouhim

Commercial Solicitor Dispute Resolution

Sally specialises in Commercial Dispute Resolution and has over 8 years' strong litigation experience gained both in a well reputed Law Firm in England and one of the largest international Law Firms in Bangkok, Thailand. She has represented clients at both ends of the spectrum, from acting for local SMEs to handling high value, cross-border litigation and arbitration cases for multi-national corporations.

Sally deals with all types of Commercial Disputes.  She sees litigation as a last resort and focuses on resolving disputes in the quickest and most cost effective way possible, using alternatives to litigation, such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration, as appropriate. But when necessary, she is a tough and effective litigator and clients are glad she is ontheirside!

Sally received her two degrees from Exeter University and her Legal Practice Course from BPP Law School. Outside of work she enjoys horse riding, swimming and hot yoga, as well as scuba diving in warmer climes. 

Linden Talbot

Commercial Solicitor Dispute Resolution

Linden joined ACUMEN BUSINESS LAW in April 2012 having worked at a niche commercial law firm previously.  Linden specialises in Dispute Resolution and has advised and acted for small and medium size businesses as well as national finance organisations.

Linden's approach is to identify and advise clients of the most cost effective way to resolve disputes and has experience in mediation and other alternative dispute resolution.  Where settlement is not possible Linden works closely with specialist counsel to ensure that clients receive the best possible representation.

Linden studied Law at the University of Sussex and obtained a pass with distinction on the Legal Practice Course.  Outside of work Linden enjoys cycling, travelling and the occasional marathon.