Our People 

Paul Butler

Paul was educated at Watford Boys' Grammar School and Cambridge University, where he was awarded Exhibitions in Classics and in Law. He joined Penman Johnson as an assistant solicitor, becoming a partner in 1984 and the Senior Partner in 1989. He became a member of Penman Johnson LLP on its incorporation.  Paul heads the property, company and commercial departments.

Paul is a keen cook and is very knowledgeable about fine wine.  He enjoys playing bridge, walking, bird watching, travelling and watching cricket as a member of MCC.  Paul undertakes voluntary work for the Watford Peace Hospice.

Paul specialises in commercial property, estate development, and company and commercial matters.

Email: pbutler@penmanjohnson.com

Julie Windsor

Julie graduated in Law at Exeter University and attained First Class Honours in the Solicitors' exams. She qualified in 1984 and became a partner in 1987. She became a member of Penman Johnson LLP on its incorporation. Julie heads the Private Client Department. She is a registered Trust & Estate Practitioner, a member of the Charity Law Association and the Law Society's Probate Section.

Julie enjoys gardening and visiting gardens both in the UK and abroad, walking, travelling, reading and playing bridge.

Julie specialises in Wills and Inheritance Tax Planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Estate Administration, Trusts,  Elderly Client Issues and Charities.

Email: jwindsor@penmanjohnson.com

Jacqueline Alderton

Jacqueline studied law at University College London and Wadham College, Oxford where she was awarded the BCL. She practised as a Barrister prior to re-qualifying as a Solicitor in 1991. She became a partner in 1996. She became a member of Penman Johnson LLP on its incorporation. Jacqueline heads the Employment and Litigation Departments. She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, the Association of the Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists, the Ecclesiastical Law Society and the Education Law Association.

Jacqueline enjoys travelling particularly to the Far East, watching Arsenal, the England cricket team and F1 races. Watering (and weeding) her award winning garden and raising money for her local church and various charities.

Jacqueline specialises in Litigation and Disputes for Businesses, Employment Law, Charities, and Education.

Email: jalderton@penmanjohnson.com

Stuart Mercer

Stuart qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and specialises in Family Law. Stuart joined Penman Johnson in 2006 having previously worked in London, Stevenage and Hertford.  Stuart became a member of Penman Johnson LLP on 27th July 2010.   He is an advanced member of the Law Society Family Panel and is a member of Resolution, formerly known as the Solicitor's Family Law Association.

Outside of work Stuart likes to spend time with his family, play sports and watch films.

Contact Stuart for advice on issues regarding Divorce and Children and Accident Claims.

Email: smercer@penmanjohnson.com 

Anthony Browne

Anthony qualified as a solicitor in 1975.  After working in Rickmansworth and Aylesbury he joined Penman Johnson in 1990 and is now an associate of the firm.

In his spare time he enjoys fishing, classic cars and is a member of the Jaguar Owners Club.

Anthony deals with all aspects of Residential Conveyancing and has almost 40 years experience in this area, and also undertakes Commercial Conveyancing.

Email: abrowne@penmanjohnson.com

Michelle Spill

Michelle qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and worked for firms in the West End before joining the Private Client Department of Penman Johnson in 2000.  Outside of work Michelle is busy with various interests including music and travel.

Michelle specialises in Wills and Inheritance Tax Planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Estate Administration, Trusts and Elderly Client Issues.

Email: mspill@penmanjohnson.com

Gary Edel

Gary Edel studied Law at London Guildhall University and graduated with an Honours Degree in Business Law, followed by a Masters in Business Law and a Legal Practice Diploma at BPP Law School. After qualifying as a Solicitor Gary went on to qualify as a Solicitor Advocate (All Higher Courts) in both civil and criminal proceedings. Gary is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, The London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, The Solicitors Association of Higher Courts Advocates, the International Bar Association and the London Solicitors Litigation Association and the European Criminal Bar Association. He specialises in Advocacy, white collar crime, fraud, criminal proceedings, Public Authority prosecutions, Business, Commercial and Family Law.

Gary Edel joined Penman Johnson LLP in October 2008, having practiced in Central London.

Contact Gary for advice on matters concerning Fraud Criminal Defence and Road Traffic Offences

Email: gedel@penmanjohnson.com Telephone: 07796 173840 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              07796 173840      end_of_the_skype_highlighting between 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

Malcolm Muir

Malcolm studied law at University of North London in 1992 and completed the legal practice course at the College of Law in York in 1994.  He also has attained a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice from Brunel University London in 1995. He qualified as a Legal Executive in 2001 and then as a Solicitor in 2005.  He has experience of working with legal 500 firms in the City and Hertfordshire.

Malcolm has been specialising in Wills, Probate and Trusts since 1998 and joined Penman Johnson’s private client department in January 2009.  He is currently undertaking the STEP (Society for Trust Estate and Practitioners) diploma for England and Wales and hopes to complete the course in 2010.

Malcolm is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, a national association of lawyers who specialise in legal services for older people and their carers.

Malcolm is a new father to a baby son and enjoys family life.  He is a lifelong follower and season ticket holder of Watford Football Club.

Malcolm specialises in Wills and Inheritance Tax Planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Estate Administration, Trusts and Elderly Client Issues.

E-mail: mmuir@penmanjohnson.com

Mike Blank

Mike graduated with Honours in Philosophy from Nottingham University in 1984 and went on to pursue a career in commerce as a retail sales director.  He trained as a solicitor at the College of Law in London, completing the Graduate Diploma in Law in 2005 and the Legal Practice Course in 2006.  Mike served articles at a niche commercial litigation firm in the City and joined the Litigation Department of Penman Johnson as an Assistant Solicitor upon qualification in 2008.

Mike is married with a young son and is a keen photographer and amateur cook.

Mike is an Assistant Solicitor and specialises in Litigation and Disputes for individuals and Employment Law for Businesses.

Email: mblank@penmanjohnson.com

Laura Prytherch

Laura commenced her training contract with us in July 2010.  Laura worked as a legal assistant in our criminal department whilst studying for the Legal Practice Course.  She has a Bsc and Msc in Psychology and was a pupil at Watford Girls Grammar School.  Laura will be spending time in each of the Practice’s and has been assisting the Litigation, Probate and Criminal Departments.

In her spare time Laura enjoys painting, watching and playing tennis.

Email: lprytherch@penmanjohnson.com