Donovan Newton Mental Health Solicitor Profiles
Solicitor – Mental Health/Mental Capacity Department
Mobile: 07977 114148
Simon qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and is a long-standing member of the Law Society Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. Simon is a director at Donovan Newton Solicitors, which together with Malcolm Donovan he set up in 2003. He has worked tirelessly to establish Donovan Newton Solicitors as one of the leading mental health firms in the Midlands and has overseen the continued growth of the mental health department. He has also supported the establishment of the mental capacity department. Simon continues to manage the firm’s mental health law department.
Simon represents client at Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers' Reviews. He advises his clients about all aspects of mental health law, including "nearest relative" displacement proceedings.
Away from work Simon enjoys spending time with his family. He has a keen interest in playing and coaching football, as well as listening to rock and heavy metal music.
Senior Solicitor – Head of Mental Capacity Law
Mobile: 07985 295954
Leanne qualified as a solicitor in 2006, having worked in private practice, Leanne joined Donovan Newton Solicitors in 2015 to specialise in mental health and mental capacity law, having achieved accreditation in the Law Society’s mental health and mental capacity (welfare) schemes. Leanne has experience in these sensitive and complex areas of law, taking time to ensure each individual is supported.
As Head of the Court of Protection Department Leanne leads a specialist team dedicated to representing and safeguarding the rights of individuals who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves. As an Accredited Legal Representative, Leanne has extensive experience representing vulnerable clients in S21a and S16 proceedings within the Court of Protection. Her ALR status reflects her advanced understanding of capacity law and her ability to support those who are vulnerable.
Leanne’s areas of expertise include:
Consultant Solicitor
Email: karen.charles@donovannewton.co.uk
Karen qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and specialised in family and child protection work for many years but also undertook some Mental Health Act work and was first accredited to the Law Society's Mental Health panel in 1996. Karen worked for some charitable and public organisations during the noughties, returning to Mental Health Law in 2010 and becoming a member of the Law Society's Mental Health Accreditation Scheme again in 2013. She has worked with Donovan Newton Solicitors since 2016, initially as an agent solicitor and more recently as a consultant solicitor.
Karen specialises in representing clients at Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers' Reviews. She very much enjoys the advocacy involved in this work and the opportunity to ensure that the views and wishes of her clients are clearly heard.
In her leisure time Karen enjoys playing golf and walking her dog, but not necessarily at the same time.
Solicitor
Email: Emily.Patterson@donovannewton.co.uk
Emily qualified as a solicitor in 2010 with a dual specialism in Mental Health Law and Criminal Law. In 2017 Emily made the decision to focus exclusively on mental health work however regularly draws upon her criminal defence background when dealing with forensic mental health cases. Emily is a longstanding member of the Law Society Mental Health Accreditation Scheme. Emily joined Donovan Newton Solicitors in 2022 and covers the West Midlands and Worcestershire region.
Emily’s area of specialism is representing patients, whether under the care of mental health services via the criminal justice system or not, at First-tier Tribunal Hearings and other important meetings concerning their detention or compulsion under the Mental Health Act. Emily has a wealth of experience dealing with all different sections of the Act acting for clients either as their instructed solicitor or being appointed to act where patients lack capacity to instruct a lawyer but it is deemed in their best interests by the court that they be represented. Emily is also very experienced in representing Nearest Relatives of patients.
Emily was immediately attracted to Mental Health law due to the varied and integral nature of the work with an individual’s liberty and freedoms being at stake in each and every case.
In her spare time Emily enjoys spending time with her family, socialising and travelling across the Highlands of Scotland.
Solicitor
Mobile: 07951 795384
Julian qualified as a solicitor in 2004 having previously served in the Royal Air Force for 16 years, with a dual specialism in Mental Health Law and Criminal Law. In 2016 Julian decided to focus himself on mental health work but uses his longstanding criminal law knowledge in assisting patients on forensic cases. Julian is a longstanding member of the Law Society Mental Health Accreditation Scheme and joined Donovan Newton Solicitors in 2022 and covers the West Midlands area.
Julian represents patients in both Mental Health Tribunals and Hospital Managers Hearings and is able to assist and advice on many aspects of Mental Health Law.
In his spare time Julian enjoys spending time with his family, enjoying walking, watching Rugby League and spending time in Cornwall and Norfolk
Consultant Solicitor
Mobile: 07702 546767
Jill qualified as a solicitor in 1983, originally specialising in criminal law where she was recognised as band 1 for crime in the Midlands. She mainly dealt with serious crime with a particular emphasis on youth court work. From this she has developed a desire to work with all those detained under the MHA but particularly young people. Jill is now a specialist in these cases. Jill has now decided to only deal with this area of law and no longer accepts criminal cases although her extensive knowledge of the criminal law helps enormously when dealing with IPP or restricted patients.
In her spare time Jill enjoys family time, letting her dog take her for a walk and travelling. Jill is a reluctant runner and swimmer when time allows (any excuse not to!) Jill loves her job and is determined that her desire to help people will continue.
Consultant Solicitor
Mobile: 07734 716051
Deborah trained and qualified with a national law firm where she developed her passion for mental health law. She has been a specialist in mental health law since 2016, qualifying as a solicitor in 2017 and has been a member of the Law Society’s Mental Health Accreditation Scheme since 2018. In 2024 she passed her Higher Courts (Civil Advocacy) Qualification becoming a Solicitor-Advocate.
She was highlighted in the UK Legal 500 2018/19 for her previous regulatory law work as an ‘amazingly efficient’ solicitor and part of a ‘very assured and reliable team.’ For three years Deborah also practiced in education law expanding her knowledge and experience.
Exclusively practicing in mental health law since 2021 Deborah is dedicated to achieving positive outcomes for her clients. She represents patients both in the community and in hospital who are detained or restricted under both Parts II and III of The Mental Health Act. She challenges doctors and Responsible Authorities in respect of their decision making and compliance with primary legislation and the Mental Health Act Code of Practice.
Deborah is committed to ensuring those deprived of their liberty are fairly treated and have their rights protected. These patients are often vulnerable and unable to advocate for themselves. Deborah is determined to ensure that their detention and treatment is lawful while supporting them to exercise their legal rights.
Additionally, Deborah is a Fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and a lecturer at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University.
Since September 2024 she has been a member of The Law Society’s Mental Health and Disability Committee.
Paralegal
Jill is a paralegal in the Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law Departments. Jill has been with Donovan Newton since it was established in 2003, initially in an administrative role before progressing to her current role.
Jill provides advice regarding mental health matters, nearest relative rights, taking initial instructions and further instructions as clients prepare for tribunals or other meetings. Jill also works alongisde Leanne Glover in supporting the rights of individuals who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves within the Court of Protection.
Outside of work, Jill enjoys painting, photography, walking her dog and holidays with her family.
Paralegal
Tel: 07741 910524
Deane is a paralegal working within the Mental Health department. Previously, he worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate and has extensive experience supporting clients detained under the Mental Health Act.
Deane provides advice regarding mental health matters, nearest relative rights, taking initial instructions and further instructions as clients prepare for tribunals or other meetings. Deane also represents clients at managers hearings to ensure that clients’ detentions are properly reviewed and challenged in line with their instructions.
Deane hopes to complete the Mental Health Law Accreditation Scheme in 2024 so that he can take the next step of becoming a panel member. This will enable him to represent clients at Mental health Tribunal’s and further expand his ability to fight for clients’ rights while detained.
In his free time Deane enjoys playing football and tennis, as well as spending time in the gym and socialising with friends.
Paralegal
Tel: 07711 950184
Joanne is a paralegal working within the Mental Health department. Previously, she worked as an Independent Mental Health Advocate and has extensive experience supporting clients detained under the Mental Health Act. Prior to becoming an Advocate, Joanne had many years of experience working for a different firm in their Mental Health department gaining lots of experience benefiting her current role with us. Joanne has also worked as an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate and again has extensive experience supporting clients deprived of their liberty in care home/hospital settings.
Joanne provides advice regarding mental health matters, nearest relative rights, taking initial instructions and further instructions as clients prepare for tribunals or other meetings. Joanne also represents clients at managers hearings to ensure that clients’ detentions are properly reviewed and challenged in line with their instructions.
In her free time Joanne enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, shopping, eating out, reading, arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles and going to the cinema.
Accredited Legal Representative
Ellie has been an accredited Law Society Panel Member for just over 3 years. She has represented clients detained under the Mental Health Act under both civil and forensic sections. She has experience representing clients detained in the community, low, medium and high secure hospitals as well as those on acute wards and PICU at Mental Health Tribunals, Hospital Managers Hearings and CPA meetings.
Ellie graduated with a degree in Psychology before starting her career in Mental Health Law at one of the three high secure hospitals in England and Wales back in 2019 where her passion for Mental Health Law really grew. Prior to joining Donovan Newton Solicitors, she was based at firm covering the Leeds area.
Ellie is dedicated to obtaining the best outcome for her client’s and ensures that client’s views are always listened to and advocated for.
In her spare time Ellie enjoys Pilates and socialising with friends.
Mental Health Law Coordinator
Jenny has recently joined Donovan Newton as the Mental Health Law Coordinator, which is a newly created role within the firm. Jenny understands the sensitive and emotional nature of mental health law matters and, as the first point of contact for many new and prospective clients, she will ensure all are treated with compassion and understanding, helping all clients to feel supported and well-cared for during that initial call to Donovan Newton.
In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family and her (extremely needy) dog. Throw in a few gigs throughout the year and she’s happy.