About Us
Liz Frank - Solicitor
Background:
Liz qualified with Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in 1993 following articles with a city firm. After undertaking civil litigation, mental health and general family work, Liz then began to specialise in child care law acting for parents in contested contact and residence proceedings and in care proceedings. Liz was made a member of the Law Society’s Children Panel in 1998 and then began to represent children in care proceedings too. Whilst her children were very young, Liz moved to a national children's charity in Colchester, and set up a project to provide legal advice to children. Liz and her team were short listed for the team award in the Jordan’s Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards in 2004. Liz then returned to Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in 2006 to set up Lawyers for Young People, (www.lfyp.org.uk) a Not-For-Profit national pilot service providing advice to vulnerable young people including those in the care system. Liz is a trained mediator and a member of the Law Society’s Children Law Sub Committee. She has experience in providing legal training and has spoken at various events and conferences for organisations such as the Association of Lawyers for Children.
Simone Surgenor - Solicitor
Background:
Simone qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and joined Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in March 2006 to work along side Liz Frank in setting up Lawyers for Young People. From May 2003 to March 2006, Simone practiced and worked alongside Liz at a national children's charity in Colchester specializing in Child Law, gaining extensive experience representing children and young people on a verity of issues including problems within the care system, or those with no housing or emotional support. Prior to this she worked in private practice as a family practitioner representing parents in section 8 proceedings, which included contact and residence disputes. Considerable experience was gained representing vulnerable adults, a number of whom had mental health problems. Simone is particularly interested in promoting and reforming children’s rights and has provided training to a number of organizations on Child Protection Law. She is also looking to further her experience in sign language to promote communication and representation for those with special needs
Deborah Mauger
Background:
Deborah began her legal training at a firm of solicitors in Colchester. After a few years gaining experience and training she moved to a leading corporate law firm in London where she worked for 7½ years. Family life, and an interest in family and children's law, brought her back to Colchester where she met and worked for 18-months with Liz and Simone at a national children's charity in Colchester. In January 2006 Deborah moved to Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP to assist Liz in setting up Lawyers for Young People. Deborah is now training as a Paralegal within the project.
Lawyers for Young People - Deborah Mauger, Liz Frank and Simone Surgenor