OUR PEOPLE
Kerry Underwood
Senior Partner and SolicitorKerry is an acknowledged expert on funding, costs, regulatory matters
relating to fee arrangements between solicitors and clients, and the legal
system generally.
He is the author of several books on these matters.
He is a former Judge, current author, lecturer, broadcaster and a former Councillor and Parliamentary Candidate.
He is Vice-Chairman of Hemel Hempstead Town Football Club.
Kerry has extensive experience in virtually all types of litigation and has appeared as an advocate in many high profile and reported cases.
Kerry is mentioned in the Dictionary of International Biography, Debrett’s People of Today and American Biography Institute – Great Minds of the 21st Century. Kerry is a Regional Committee Member of the Lord’s Taverners Charity for disadvantaged children and is Knight Commander of the Order of St John (for charity work).
Kerry travels extensively and home is his beloved adopted town of Hemel Hempstead.
In his spare time Kerry enjoys watching cricket and
football and can be found during the football season cheering on QPR and Hemel
Hempstead Town FC. Underwoods Solicitors is a Hemel Hempstead Business
Ambassador. He also enjoys gardening and reading. Nelson Mandela, TS Eliot and
Elvis are amongst his heroes.

Robert Males
Managing Partner and SolicitorRobert has over 25 years’ experience in a wide range of litigation matters including personal injury, clinical negligence and building and contract disputes. He also has considerable experience on advising companies both small and large on a range of business issues. He has a particular specialism in stress at work claims having been successful in the leading case of Dickins v O2 in the Court of Appeal.
Robert has contributed to Butterworths Personal Injury Law service and other legal journals. Robert also appears on local radio and national radio as an expert on a variety of legal issues.
Robert is a member of the Lord's Taverners Charity for disadvantaged children.
Robert is also a board member of Hemel Hempstead Business Ambassadors and legal adviser to Hemel Hempstead Town Football Club.
In his spare time Robert can be found umpiring hockey games or aiming for a hole in one on the golf course.

Caitlin Burger
Conveyancing ManagerCaitlin has re-joined Underwoods Solicitors as Conveyancing Manager
having previously worked for Underwoods in their South African Office as Office
Manager.
Caitlin has spent the last 6 years in busy residential and
commercial real estate departments of law firms and specialises in residential
conveyancing, having worked with both individual clients and developers.
Caitlin has a passion for conveyancing and understands that
moving home can be a stressful time for her clients and is committed to
providing a service second to none, and making sure her clients are informed
and updated every step of the way.
Caitlin's life away from work is dedicated to her family and
her rescue animals. She loves horse riding, cooking, reading and anything to do
with Harry Potter.

Claire Long
Advertising and Marketing ManagerClaire is responsible for all marketing and business development activities within the firm including direct marketing, digital marketing, advertising, seminar and event planning, sponsorship and PR.
Claire has over twelve years’ marketing experience within the professional services industry.
With a height of only 4ft 10.5in Claire is smaller than petite Australian singer Kylie Minogue.
In her spare time Claire enjoys keeping fit, trips to the theatre and spending quality family time with her husband and daughter.

Julie Squires
Client Services ManagerJulie is responsible for answering and dealing with incoming telephone and email queries and welcoming
clients into the office, opening and closing client files, scanning, and supporting the Solicitors and Partners with any administration
work that needs doing.
Julie has three
grown up children and ran her own beauty business for over 20 years and also
worked extensively within the NHS.
No matter in what capacity, Julie prides herself in her
ability to build relationships and a good rapport with people.
In her spare time Julie enjoys keeping fit, golf, reading
and visiting the theatre and spending time with her Partner and family.

Tracy Ontong
Office ManagerTracy Ontong, born in Paarl the heart of the Boland Cape, joined the company in 2015 as a legal typist and is based in the South African office. Tracy took over general management of the company and works closely with the Senior Partner of the firm.
Her role involves administration in the office as well as Human Resources and financial duties.
In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, reading and being close to the beach. She has a son and absolutely loves spending time with him.

JP La Grange
Legal SecretaryJP La Grange works as a Legal Secretary, contributing to the typing of legal documents etc.
JP enjoys writing articles, some of which have appeared in school newspapers. He is also a brilliant artist and enjoys drawing and has done illustrations for books and other forms of media.
He also loves music and in his spare time plays the guitar. He is a quiet person and so a fitting saying that describes him would be “Still waters run deep”.

Charney Lategan
Legal SecretaryCharney Lategan, born in Paarl, works for Underwoods Solicitors as a Legal Secretary based at the South African office.
She is a Human Resource Management Graduate and has four years of experience in various roles such as Receptionist, Admin Assistant, Data Capturer and HR In-service Trainee.
Charney has a passion for working
with people, being client orientated as well as working with fellow employees.
She believes being professional and consistent all the time is a very important
aspect.
In her spare time Charney enjoys music, reading and the company of her beautiful funny daughter.

Michelle Germishuys
Legal SecretaryMichelle
Germishuys – Born in Paarl, is a legal secretary and is based at the South
African office.
Michelle
has been in the retail industry for 10 years. She is well organised and
considers prioritising of importance. Michelle is a team player and aims to
satisfy organisational goals as well as her own. When there is an opportunity
to learn new things and gain more experience, Michelle takes it as a challenge
and makes the best of it.
Michelle
enjoys listening to music, reading and spending every possible minute she can
with her precious daughter.

Dominique Simpson
Legal SecretaryDominique was born in Cape Town and raised in Paarl and is an undergraduate in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. She has worked in different fields of administration as well as retail groups.
Dominique has a love for working with disabled children, since her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three and she believes in seeing the good in any human being.
She comes from a musical background, although cannot sing or play an instrument and loves spending her free time reading or going to historical buildings.

Jordan Parkes
Underwoods Solicitors AmbassadorJordan is an Underwoods Solicitors Ambassador and Captain of
Hemel Hempstead Town Football Club.
Jordan runs and owns JP Pro Football, which provides a wide range of football coaching sessions and courses for all abilities and a variety of ages.
If you would like Jordan to appear at one of your events
such as a business reception or a charity event, please contact Claire Long on
01442 430900 or email claire.long@lawabroad.co.uk.
