Our Legal Team

Rodney Warren LLB, founder and senior partner, was admitted as a solicitor in 1979, and established the firm in 1994. He is well known nationally for his work as a specialist criminal lawyer. Rodney is also Director of the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, a Law Society Council Member and a member of its Legal Affairs & Policy Board. He is also a member of the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and a member of the Council of the University of Sussex.

Rodney has extensive experience negotiating with investigation authorities such as the Serious Fraud Office. He has also successfully dealt with complex mortgage fraud allegations, money laundering investigations and overseas Bribery and Corruption Investigations. Rodney is an experienced and popular lecturer, presenting accredited training courses to qualified solicitors throughout England and Wales on practice management and legal aid topics.

David McIntosh QC (Hon) was included in The Times listing of Britain’s 100 most powerful lawyers. He was the senior partner of Davies Arnold Cooper for 28 years and is now a consultant with this firm, advising and representing solicitors involved in SRA investigations and SDT proceedings, and also conducting the firm’s civil litigation and civil fraud business.

David was President of the Law Society in 2001/2, is a member of the International Bar Association, and the current Chair of the City of London Law Society.

In March 2009, he was made an Honorary QC in recognition of his help in fostering strong relationships between City firms and the Law Society through the City of London Law Society.

Justin Rivett is Head of Criminal Litigation. He qualified as a barrister in 1988 and practised in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 1997. He obtained Higher Rights of Audience to enable him to represent clients as an advocate in the crown court. He has practised almost exclusively in the field of criminal defence for over 20 years and has dealt with many serious and high profile cases, including the paparazzi photographer who was found not guilty on appeal of assaulting Heather Mills. He has also dealt with several murders and two of the largest drug importation cases in recent years.

Paul Summerbell is an experienced family solicitor with over 17 years' experience representing clients from all walks of life. He first trained in central London before moving to Kent and opening his own law firm in which he was the managing partner and head of both the family department and personal injury department. He also acted as LSC liaison manager and LSC supervisor for the family department.

Paul has experience of all courts and levels of representation from the local magistrates' court to the Court of Appeal. He has Advanced Membership of the Family Law Panel with specialist knowledge in children, family, and violence in the home. He is a member of Resolution, (formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association) and Specialist Accredited with Resolution in both children and financial matters.

With knowledge and first-hand experience of dealing with many aspects of the law relating to children, Paul's work has included applications involving the relocation of children, including difficult international relocation cases: TC and JC (Children Relocation) [2013] EWHC 292 (Fam) (21 February 2013).

Paul is experienced in advising high net worth clients with multi million pound assets. He drafts and negotiates prenuptial agreements and deals with financial orders/negotiations in cases involving clients of high net worth. He also deals with cohabitants and actions under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act together with enforcement of such cases.

Anthony Waller qualified as a solicitor in 1992, and is one of this firm's High Court advocates able to provide representation in all criminal courts. A qualified Duty Solicitor for 20 years, he provides advice and assistance to those arrested in respect of criminal allegations at the police station, and represents those charged at both the magistrates and crown courts.

Anthony recently acted in connection with an art fraud case and with one of the largest fraudulent claims for benefit cases to be before the courts. He has also appeared at the Court of Appeal.

In addition to criminal advocacy, Anthony has experience in employment law and landlord & tenant work. As part of the continuing development of the firm, he is always seeking to develop a higher profile for the firm in these areas.

In his spare time, Anthony is a keen skier, runner and cyclist, enjoying an active life outside of the courtroom.

Magdalena Biglou Magdalena was born in Poland, and speaks fluent Polish. She completed her law degree at Hertford University and qualified as a solicitor in January 2006. Since moving to the south coast from London, where she gained vast experience in London police stations, Magdalena has dealt with criminal matters at police stations, and in the Magistrates' and Crown Courts up to and including murder. She is also an High Court Advocate.

Daniel Harrison joined the firm in 2007, having previously worked as a paralegal with a firm in Brighton. He undertook his training contract with Rodney Warren & Co, and was admitted as a solicitor in 2010. He is police station accredited, and has a great deal of experience in the preparation of complex crown court cases.

Yolanda Pons studied Law and Spanish at the University of Sussex before undertaking the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford where she gained a Distinction. She was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 and more recently qualified as a duty solicitor. She has experience in representing clients in a wide range of criminal matters both at the police station and Magistrates Court.

Loretta Bentley is the firm’s police station accredited representative, and has completed Part 1 of the Institute of Legal Executives qualification. Loretta has over 20 years experience of advising clients at the police station and on all criminal matters. She also has vast experience of dealing with the preparation of cases in the Crown Court – from burglary to murder. Loretta is the firm’s franchise representative.

Loretta has an interest in equine law. She has been a horse owner for many years, and is secretary of Hailsham Equestrian Club. She judges at local showing and dressage competitions, and has successfully competed at Riding Club level (area & national), affiliated dressage (to elementary level), County Workers, unaffiliated show jumping, Hunter Trials and One Day Eventing. Loretta is also interested in RSPCA defence, especially offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Emma Macdonald was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in November 2006, and has specialised in family law for many years. Emma joined the firm in March 2009, and deals with all aspects of family law including divorce, children’s matters, domestic violence, and care proceedings.