THE TEAM

HELEN KIRKHAM

Director

Helen is an experienced family law solicitor who is able to provide advice on many areas of family law. She is a member of Resolution, the country’s leading organisation of family lawyers, and she prides herself in her ability to empathise with her clients. Helen also provides assistance to the Great Dunmow CAB and is involved in providing advice to their clients at their offices on a volunteer basis.

Helen is also an accredited Resolution Family Mediator.

KEELEY HANMER

Director

Keeley is a Chartered Legal Executive and has worked with the firm since 2000.

She specialises in conveyancing.

HELEN KIRKHAM

Director

Helen is an experienced family law solicitor who is able to provide advice on many areas of family law. She is a member of Resolution, the country’s leading organisation of family lawyers, and she prides herself in her ability to empathise with her clients. Helen also provides assistance to the Great Dunmow CAB and is involved in providing advice to their clients at their offices on a volunteer basis.

Helen is also an accredited Resolution Family Mediator.

CHRISTINE KETTLEY

Solicitor and Head of Family Team

Christine joined Foort Tayler Solicitors in February 2013 as a Matrimonial Solicitor, joining Helen Kirkham in the Family Department. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2011. Prior to joining us, alongside practising in family law, Christine specialised for 4 years in Mental Health Law, representing vulnerable Client’s who had been detained under provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Due to her expertise in this area, Christine was accepted as member of the Mental Health Accreditation Panel.

SARAH HORSEMAN

FILEX, and Accredited Family and Child-Inclusive Consultant Mediator

Sarah is an experienced Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives who was a member of the Family Law team from November 2014 to May 2026 when she took the decision to branch out and become a Consultant Mediator working alongside Foort Tayler. Sarah is a highly experienced mediator who is also qualified to undertake Child Inclusive Mediation.

Please enquire through Foort Tayler if you wish to explore how Sarah can assist you with mediation.

NATASHA BRADLEY

Family Lawyer

Natasha joined Foort Tayler in 2024, specialising in Family Law.

KELLY GILLON

Family Department Co-ordinator

Kelly joined the firm in October 2014, and provides secretarial and administrative support to the Family Department.

JESSICA SMITH

Solicitor

Jessica is a Family Law solicitor specialising in a broad range of family law matters including divorce and matrimonial finance, children disputes, and domestic abuse. Jessica completed her law degree in 2020 and went on to achieve a master’s degree in Legal Practice alongside the Legal Practice Course in 2021. Jessica qualified as a solicitor in 2023 and joined Foort Tayler in January 2026.

KEELEY HANMER

Director

Keeley is a Chartered Legal Executive and has worked with the firm since 2000.

She specialises in conveyancing.

LEANNE SMITH

Licensed Conveyancer and Head of Conveyancing 

Leanne qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2004, and joined our team in 2018.

She specialises in conveyancing.

KATIE LANE

CILEx Property Lawyer 

Katie joined the firm in September 2019 to provide administrative support. She has been training in the conveyancing department over the past few years and qualified as a CILEx Property Lawyer in March 2026.

CLAIRE BUTTRESS

Solicitor and Head of Wills and Probate

Claire is an experienced Private Client solicitor who qualified in 2003. Claire joined our Wills & Probate team in 2021. Claire is able to offer advice in Wills (including the use of Will trusts to protect assets or to provide for a vulnerable beneficiary), Probate, Intestacy, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection Matters, Trusts and Tax planning.

Claire is a full member of both STEP and Solicitors for Elderly and prides herself on her approachable manner and empathy.

BETHANY OVEN (formerly Carter)

Currently on maternity leave

Private Client Solicitor

Bethany joined Foort Tayler in January 2022, to work with Claire Buttress in the Private Client Department.

Bethany achieved fantastic grades throughout her SQE training with us, and qualified as a solicitor in September 2022. Bethany is able to offer advice in Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and prides herself on her ability to offer friendly and empathetic advice.

SUNNY MIAH

Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney & Probate 

Sunny is a Private Client Solicitor specialising in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Probate, with a broad range of experience across other areas of law.
Sunny has over 10 years’ experience in the legal sector. He completed his law degree in 2015 and subsequently the Legal Practice Course in 2016.
He began his career volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau, where he supported individuals in need and developed valuable client-facing skills.
Sunny qualified as a solicitor in October 2024. He joined Foort Tayler in April 2026, where he is committed to delivering clear, practical, and compassionate advice tailored to each client’s circumstances.

ALISON LAVER

Private Client Executive

Alison joined Foort Tayler in August 2024 to work with Claire Buttress and Bethany Oven in the Private Client Department. Alison has 20 years’ experience in dealing with private client matters and offers advice in Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Alison prides herself in being able to offer friendly and empathic advice.

LEENA BLOXHAM

Legal Secretary

Leena has many years of legal experience having been employed by solicitors all her working life and joined the firm as a Legal Secretary in 2014.

JOANNE SUMMERS

Receptionist

Jo joined Foort Tayler as our Receptionist in 2017 after being in a retail office position for 37 years. She provides front line telephone & receptionist support to clients & potential clients to the firm, which enables us to operate efficiently.