MEET THE TEAM 

Rob, along with Jennifer Kelly, launched RJS in December 2011. 

 He has been qualified as a solicitor for over 30 years, having qualified in 1991. Rob worked at a number of national practices before returning to Stoke on Trent, where he is undoubtedly one of the city’s leading commercial lawyers.

 Rob prides himself on knowing our clients, their owners and their businesses and is involved in all aspects of the firm. Rob’s focus is on ensuring all of our services are genuinely client led and that our aim is always to deliver client goals on time.

 Rob has advised on many significant deals in the city and is a trusted advisor to many of the city’s leading business people.

 Rob is passionate about the city of Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire and is a Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce Patron. Any spare time Rob has is spent walking his dogs or playing taxi to one of his four sports-mad boys. 

What our clients say about Rob:

 ‘Knows his stuff.’

 ‘Understands both our legal and commercial needs.’

 ‘Gets the deal done.’

Jennifer is a Director and Head of our Corporate Team. Jennifer co-founded the firm with Robert Bailey in 2011.

Jennifer is an experienced corporate solicitor, having qualified in 2005 and manages the RJS Corporate Team.

Jennifer specialises in corporate, company and commercial law. She advises clients on a wide range of issues, including acquisitions and disposals, mergers and reorganisations, commercial contracts, shareholders ‘and partnership agreements. Her clients include SMEs and owner-managed businesses, public listed companies and private companies with external investors, including private equity and venture capital funds.

Her expertise lies in management buyouts, demergers, financing, sales, acquisitions, and investment. She has worked with some very large businesses helping them to realise their goals; she also has a passion for supporting start-up businesses supporting them from conception through to success.

Jennifer provides in-depth technical knowledge alongside a hands-on personal approach with a problem-solving attitude to get things done.

Away from the office, Jennifer is proud of her Irish roots and can often be found back on the Emerald Isle with her family.

What people say about Jennifer:

‘Wow, how lucky were we to have Jen acting for us!

She has been a crucial part of our team, helping us navigate many challenges and opportunities. As a fast-growing company, we value Jen’s professionalism and ability to provide practical legal advice that has helped our business to flourish. Thank you.’

‘Jen and her team know their craft and walk the extra mile for you. She handled our case with the utmost care, sensitivity, and professionalism; nothing was too much trouble. I can highly recommend RJS.

Simon is an experienced solicitor, having qualified in 2011 and heads up our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team. This incorporates leading the firms debt recovery work. He is a confident litigator who combines real attention to detail with a pragmatic approach to resolving contentious issues.

 Simon has gained a significant reputation for his analytical ability and judgement on commercial disputes, quickly getting to grips with the most complex of issues. Simon is also known for his ability to tackle the most complex of shareholder and ownership issues.

 Major commercial clients have praised him for his tactical advice and commercial approach to dispute resolution. 

 Simon’s ability to grasp complex and technical issues has seen excellent results in several high-value and complex matters. He is one of Midlands’s leading and much sought-after litigation lawyers.

 Away from the office, Simon can usually be found watching various sports and is known to like a dram of fine malt whisky.

What people say about Simon:

 ‘Simon is our man – he punches well above his weight and is certainly not worried about standing his ground and taking on the fight when needed.’

 ‘I am so impressed with how Simon and his team handled my case; they were definitely the right team for my job. I could not recommend them any more highly and have no hesitation in recommending them and RJS.’  

Elliott is an Associate solicitor in our Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team.

Having qualified in 2017, he advises on a wide range of contentious matters including Debt Recovery.

Elliott is supervised by Head of Department Simon Gilbert.

 Elliott joined RJS in January 2015, prior to that he worked as a Paralegal for a renowned international law firm, based in their Liverpool office.

 Elliott has successfully advised a wide range of clients, including PLCs, SMEs, family-owned businesses and private individuals, both in the County Courts of England and Wales and the Business & Property Courts. He often assists Simon Gilbert on the practice’s large and complex disputes.

 His area of expertise in the business sector is dealing with commercial  property disputes including lease renewals, debt claims,  commercial and contracts disputes,  shareholder and partnership disputes,  reputation protection and  insolvency. In the personal sector his expertise lies in residential  property disputes, debt claims and contentious probate.

 Away from the office Elliot is passionate about motorsport and is something of a horseracing analyst. Elliot can often be found organising the office sweepstakes!

What people say about Elliott:

 ‘I cannot thank Elliott enough for his advice and support; he explained everything in an easy and understandable manner and was incredibly knowledgeable on all aspects of my case. Nothing was too much trouble and Elliott was contactable and responded quickly to all my questions. Thank you.’

 ‘Elliott was professional and easy to talk to; very approachable and friendly. I was confident that he always had my best interests at heart.’

Carla is an Associate solicitor in our Property Team, having qualified in 2015.

Carla is supervised by Head of Department Richard Scholes.

She acts on commercial and residential property matters and is known for her commercial and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

 Carla has built a significant reputation in advising pension funds on property transactions. Her expertise includes buying and selling residential and commercial Properties and advising both Landlords and Tenants on Commercial leases. Carla also acts extensively on Auction matters. 

 Carla is well known for her approachable and affable manner, making all her clients feel completely at ease.

What people say about Carla:

‘Carla always greeted us with a smile and was always contactable when we needed her. She guided us through the conveyancing process, which was often complicated. All our questions were answered and explained clearly.’

 ‘Carla was invaluable in helping us with the sale of our business premises to our SSAS. She was extremely knowledgeable and very competent.’

Jenny is Head of our Private Client Department.

 Jenny is a qualified Solicitor (2007), STEP Member (2005), ATT Fellow (2022) and has extensive experience in Probate, Wills Trusts, Tax & Conveyancing.

 Jenny worked at a number of national practises before joining RJS in 2022.

 Jenny served as an RAF Officer from 1977-1988.

 In her spare time Jenny is a competitive bridge player

What people say about Jenny:

‘Excellent quality of service and highly professional. We will certainly use RJS Solicitors again.’

 ‘High calibre, helpful, caring and knowledgeable with the ability to grasp complex cases and achieve results.’

Anna holds a first-class honours law degree and is a newly qualified solicitor, admitted to the role in March 2022.

Anna joins the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team as an assistant solicitor and assists on a wide range of matters including Debt Recovery. Anna  is supervised by the Head of Department, Simon Gilbert.

Anna enjoys literature, reading, running, yoga and pilates, live theatre and the arts in her free time.

Rebecca qualified in 2008 and works within our Private Client team as a Solicitor.

She is supervised by Head of the Department Jenny Walker.

Rebecca supports our clients on their personal matters, advising on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Trust matters as well as Residential Conveyancing. She is experienced in dealing with the elderly and vulnerable.

Doing the best for her clients is of utmost importance to Rebecca.

 Away from the office, Rebecca is a busy mum of two who enjoys embarking on family adventures big and small.

Paul has over 15 years of experience practising law in the UK and Australia and works as a solicitor within our Private Clients team. 

Paul is a very experienced private client lawyer with dual qualifications in STEP as a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). His STEP qualification reflects his extensive knowledge and experience in trusts, estates, and inheritance matters.  

He previously worked in London and the Southeast, advising high-net-worth individuals and families by providing comprehensive legal advice on trusts, inheritance tax, and estate planning. His expertise spans both non-contentious and contentious probate matters, offering a holistic approach to managing and protecting family wealth. 

Away from the office, Paul enjoys all sports including football and tennis and also spends most weekends running after his young children. 

Tom has over 8 years of experience working in the legal sector and was admitted as a solicitor in April 2022. Tom works with our Corporate and Commercial team under the supervision of Jennifer Kelly.

 Tom has primarily been an M&A specialist but also has significant experience in investment work, including acting for family offices and individual investors and advising on the associated risks. He has also worked for several companies advising on investments, including some under the Future Fund convertible loan scheme. His CV also lists his impressive banking and finance experience.

 Outside of work, Tom’s main interests revolve around sports, particularly squash, which he plays at a very high level. He also enjoys playing golf and running. If not playing sport, Tom enjoys a good pub quiz.

Rhiannon works with our property team as a Paralegal and is supervised by Associate Solicitor Carla Dawn.

Rhiannon graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Law (LLB) and is currently pursuing an LPC LLM.

With over two years of experience as a property paralegal in both Commercial and Residential transactions, Rhiannon enjoys meeting strict deadlines and handling high-pressure situations, such as multiple completions and last-minute client instructions.

Away from the office Rhiannon enjoys ice skating, running and gym workouts.