Call us now:
Meet the Team
Steven Clews
Director – Solicitor – Head of Family
Steven joined Franklins as an Assistant Solicitor in 1985, was made a Partner in 1987 and Senior Partner in 2002. He holds an Honours Degree in Law from University College London and qualified as a Solicitor in 1981.
He is an accredited specialist family lawyer with particular specialisation in financial provision and domestic abuse cases. He is also a long-standing member of the Resolution Organisation which promotes a non-adversarial approach to resolving problems arising from family and relationship breakdowns. Apart from specialising in family and criminal/motoring law he also deals with Wills and Probate.
Steven is a member of Duty Solicitor schemes and was on the first ever rota after the introduction of the schemes under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in the 1980s.
Rugby has at long last given him up as a player but he remains an enthusiastic committee member at his local club where his main task is to remind the current players that it is not like it was in his day. They are enthralled. Otherwise, he is a dedicated explorer of the pubs of the Yorkshire Dales – sorry, intrepid long distance walker.
Jeremy Moore
Director – Head of Serious Crime & Appeals
Jeremy is a senior solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience representing clients in some of the most complex and high profile cases, in serious criminal cases and sports law matters. As well as many other renown cases, Jeremy represented Barry George in his successful appeal against his conviction for the murder of Jill Dando, and defended him in his retrial where he was acquitted and has developed a reputation in assisting clients who are the victim of a miscarriage of justice.
Jeremy has also assisted many clubs and athletes in regulatory and sports law matters and provided seminars to Premier League and EFL clubs in relation to the justice system. Jeremy has been awarded a Master of Sports Directorship by Manchester Metropolitan University and a Master of International Sports Law by the ISDE Law Business School in Madrid.
Rupert Hawke
Finance Director
A qualified management accountant, Rupert spent the first 10 years of his career working in multi-national business. In 2007 Rupert was appointed Finance Director of a regional law firm. Firstly as FD and then as Managing Director, Rupert oversaw the firm’s journey to becoming a national law firm with 18 offices nationwide offering a wide range of legal services and renowned for a great culture, quality staff, and cutting edge IT systems.
Through his wide-ranging experience, Rupert is a leading authority on financial and strategic management in the legal sector and has contributed to numerous publication and spoken widely including for The Law Society.
Janice Gabbott
Director – Solicitor – Head of Conveyancing
Janice qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and was previously a director of a national residential conveyancing firm. She is our Head of Conveyancing. She lives near Leighton Buzzard and has taken up a role that gives her the chance to combine her experience with a more individual approach to clients.
Janice enjoys spending her spare time being taken for long walks in the countryside by her Jack Russell terrier. She also enjoys Salsa dancing and keeps her enviable sense of calm with the occasional assistance of yoga.
Parminder Matura
Solicitor – Criminal Defense
Parminder is our Head of Criminal Law. He is an accredited duty solicitor and has extensive experience in a wide range of cases including murder, terrorism, and rape. kidnap, robbery, conspiracy to supply class A, GBH amongst many others. Parminder is a regular at Luton Magistrates Court and the local police stations in Bedfordshire. No matter how big or small the problem you may face, Parminder will always fight your corner and achieve the best possible result.
Outside of his professional duties, Parminder is a keen sports fan although these days it is mainly watching rather than playing.
Jennifer Garner
Solicitor – Head of Private Client
Jennifer qualified as a solicitor in 2014, joining Franklins in 2022. She is our Head of Private Client, handling Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Probate, Court of Protection matters and conveyancing. Jennifer is a Full Accredited Member of the Solicitors for the Elderly and is an Associate Member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners.
You can often find Jennifer running and cycling along the streets of Leighton Buzzard.
Jas Khelea
Solicitor – Commercial Property
Jas qualified as a solicitor in April 2016 and has a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB Hons). Jas has spent 7 years in private practice and specialises in Landlord and Tenant matters, acquisition and disposal of commercial and mixed-use property and land, dealing with commercial leases, option agreements, overage agreements and title splitting projects. Jas also has experience in working on secured lending and refinance.
Michael Stapleton
Finance Manager
Michael joined Franklins in 2024 as part of a wider project to expand the Finance Department and the business overall. An AAT qualified accountant, he enjoys spending time with his family and watching rugby.
His dream job would be as Formula One Driver but for now he says that the world of Legal Finance provides the equivalent adrenalin rush.
Rachel West
Solicitor
Rachel joined Franklins in 2018 as an assistant, completing her training contract with the firm and qualifying as a solicitor in 2021.
Rachel handles all aspects of family law with a particular speciality in private children law and domestic abuse cases. Rachel also deals with transfers of property and remortgages.
She has a dog called Ruby who keeps her on her toes!
Jasmine Page
Solicitor – Head of Care
Jasmine previously worked for Franklins in 2021 as the receptionist and rejoined in August 2022 as a Trainee Solicitor. She has recently quanlified in 2024. Jasmine completed her Law Degree in 2020 and has gone on to obtain a Masters and complete her Legal Practice Course.
Jasmine has a strong love for Rhinos and dreams of volunteering in Africa one day. She enjoys going for woodland walks, spending time with family and friends and a glass of wine or two every so often.
Kaylee Alexander
Assistant to Family Law
Kaylee is the assistant to the Family Team, joining Franklins in 2021.
Kaylee enjoys hunkering down with a good book, eating pasta and spending time with her family.
Sarah Barrett
Assistant to Appeals & Serious Crime Department
Sarah assists our Crime Department and has been with Franklins for four years.
Sarah works for us from the Lake District where she enjoys kayaking and mountain climbing in her spare time.
Unfailingly polite and helpful Sarah has quickly established herself as a talented all-rounder rather like Ben Stokes but less ginger and never arrested for brawling outside a nightclub – so to that extent not all that much like Ben Stokes.
What we mean is she is really good at anything she turns her hand to and combines this with an inherent talent for dealing with clients.
Her time in South Africa has given her a mastery of languages. She can say “Cabernet Sauvignon” in Bantu Xhosa and Swahili.
Angela Clements
Assistant
Angela has been with Franklins for five years assisting Steven in all his areas of work.
A friendly outgoing individual who enjoys dancing, a good walk in the Peak District (can’t beat the views) and swimming somewhere tropical!!
She also writes her own website profiles.
Angela’s dedication to the cause extends to commuting to the office farther than most people go on holiday.
Angela sorts out problems and gets things done. If she cannot help you then you are beyond help.
Lisa George
Assistant
Lisa started working with us in 2022 assisting the conveyancing and crime teams.
Lisa’s hobbies include running, socialising with her friends and looking after her two children.
Kim Welford
Assistant
Kim has worked in conveyancing since she left school in a year which it would be far too indiscreet to specify. Kim joined Franklins in 2000 and since then has added a knowledge of Wills and probate to her conveyancing skills.
Whenever the chance arises Kim likes to spend time on her country estate in Turkey. She is also a keen supporter of the Wasps Rugby Club (even though they’ve now folded), unofficial wine expert and multiple – but glamorous – granny.
Cheryl
Receptionist
Cheryl joined Franklins in 2022 as our charismatic receptionist. She is the first contact for all clients and helps the firm with it’s many administrative duties.
She used to work in the wedding industry and owned her own Bridesmaid Boutique.
