Ruth Mills
Ruth Mills has been a Partner in the Firm since 2004 and is the Managing and Finance Partner.
Ruth is the Head of the Wills and Probate department specialising in Wills, Probate, Intestacy, Contentious Probate and the provision of Powers of Attorney.
Having been born in Pembrokeshire, where she started her legal career, Ruth worked for a number of firms in Bournemouth, before joining Mustoe Shorter Solicitors & Advocates in 2003. She is married with a young family.
Ruth is happy to be contacted by phone on 01305 250900 or you can e-mail her at ruth.mills@mustoeshorter.co.uk
Lee Christmas
Lee Christmas is a criminal law specialist with over 20 years of experience. He qualified as a solicitor in 1993. He became a Partner in 2013 and is head of the Criminal Law Department.
He has represented clients facing a wide variety of allegations including rape, robbery and murder.
He is well-regarded by his colleagues and clients. He is known for being approachable and able to explain complex legal issues in simple language. His preparation is extensive and his strategies are second to none. This has helped him to achieve an excellent record in acquittals.
He is a police station and court duty solicitor and has higher rights of audience in the Crown Court.
He has a particular interest in representing clients accused of motoring offences. He has considerable expertise and experience in this area of law. His reputation is such that other lawyers regularly ask him to act for their clients when they face the prospect of being disqualified from driving.
Lee is happy to be contacted by phone on 01305 752700 or you can e-mail him at lee.christmas@mustoeshorter.co.uk
Simon Brimacombe
Simon Brimacombe qualified as a Solicitor in 1995 and has been with the firm since 2006. He became a Partner in 2009. He specialises in Childcare Law.
Simon appears frequently in front of all relevant tiers of the family court to include magistrates, district judges and High Court judges
Simon is head of the Matrimonial Department
Simon is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Panel. This means that Simon is considered to have sufficient expertise to represent children in Court proceedings through the children’s Guardian or to take instructions directly from the child. Simon also represents parents in respect of proceedings concerning Children’s Services, and in private disputes between parents, such as disputes over residence and contact.
Simon also undertakes Deputyship work in respect of applications to the Court of Protection to deal with financial affairs and personal welfare issues, for people who have lost the ability to do so themselves, whether that be through accident, injury or simple old age.
Simon is happy to be contacted by phone on 01305 752700 or you can e-mail him at simon.brimacombe@mustoeshorter.co.uk
Elaine Walker
Elaine Walker is a solicitor who specialises in employment law. She provides advice to both employers and employees.
If you are an employer, Elaine can guide you through the difficult processes of disciplinary and performance procedures, redundancy, and dismissal. She can ensure that you follow procedures that are in accordance with the law, and that you protect yourself as far as possible from a claim in the Employment Tribunal, such as a claim in unfair dismissal or in discrimination.
If you are an employee, Elaine can advise you on your employment rights and assist you with resolving a dispute with your employer.
Elaine has significant experience in negotiating agreements between employer and employee when employment comes to an end, and can help you to reach an amicable settlement and to avoid litigation. She regularly advises on settlement agreements, and can draft these agreements to suit the requirements of the employer, and can advise employees on the terms of an agreement, and whether the sum offered is a fair one
Elaine is an experienced advocate at Employment Tribunals and where litigation cannot be avoided, Elaine is happy to represent both employers and employees in a claim to the Employment Tribunal.
The Covid pandemic has raised many challenges for employers and employees, and it has been difficult to keep up with the changing government guidance. Elaine can assist you with understanding this guidance and can advise on all aspects of the current guidance, including furlough leave, redundancy during furlough, flexible furlough, sick leave, and holiday leave.
You can contact Elaine by e-mail at : Elaine.Walker@mustoeshorter.co.uk, or you can call her on her direct line, which is 01305 752747, or you can leave a message for her with the switchboard, on 01305 752700.
Ben Blacknall
Working in the Private Client Team on Probate matters and Lasting Power of Attorney.
I have 20 years’ experience in Property Management. I studied at Nottingham University but also have qualifications in Health and Safety Law. Outside of work I’m a passionate artist and enjoy hiking with my partner Aimee and two dogs Brian and Beatrix.
Sandra Lee
Sandra previously worked in conveyancing in St Albans where she qualified as a Residential Conveyancing Paralegal in 2009 before moving to Dorset in 2014. Sandra is Fellow of the Institute of Paralegals and deals with all aspects of residential sales and purchases, including transfers and re-mortgages.
Away from work Sandra enjoys walking, camping and exploring Dorset. She also enjoys watching local bands and is a keen amateur musician and piano player.
Adele Brothwell
I have previously worked in Finance in the Dorset area since 2007, both for myself as a book-keeper and for many local firms in the Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester area. I joined the firm in 2021 in the Accounts Department and in 2023 was promoted to Business Manager.
Away from work I enjoy Cross-stitching, Disney movies and socialising with friends.