Jonathon formerly practised employment and litigation law. It was whilst doing this that he began to realise that there was more he could do to help firms in ensuring that they were compliant and ready for the changing legal landscape. It is from here that he went on to set-up JBL Compliance.

Jonathon is a recognised ABS expert and COLP/COFA adviser. He works with law firms on a variety of risk management projects and ABS applications.

Jonathon always provides his clients with a friendly and commercial service. Many comment on his ‘practical’ approach to challenges faced and his wealth of knowledge regarding all things regulatory.

A qualified secondary school teacher with 15 years of experience, Sam is the one who organises the team at JBL and gets things happening.

Sam is responsible for developing and maintaining our internal systems and processes. She also takes responsibility for liaising with legal publications, gets us all writing and oversees our marketing.

Sam enjoys helping our clients through applying her management, education and presentation skills in all aspects of her work.

Sophie is a qualified solicitor (now non-practising). She originally practised in the Tax and Succession department of a national firm before taking on the compliance roles in a newly-formed ABS. From there, she continued to specialise in internal law firm risk and compliance, being appointed as director of risk and compliance to a multi-office firm based in the Home Counties. She has held roles including COLP, MLCO, MLRO, DPO and Training Principal. She has also undertaken management roles, both at department level and at Board level.

Sophie is experienced in all matters of legal risk and compliance, including AML and data protection. She has a particular interest in legal ethics and sits on the Law Society Committee for Professional Ethics and Standards. She has contributed to Practice Notes and working papers, and authored the new Practice Note on what employees should do when the law firm they work for is closing down. She has also recently been appointed to sit on a disciplinary committee for a non-law regulatory body.

Sophie recognises that managing compliance in a law firm can be stressful and regards herself as a calm voice of support. She is always happy to talk through thorny issues to ensure that you can come to a reasoned decision, with a practical way forward.

Ed is our Senior Risk and Compliance Specialist who has worked in the regulatory sector for over ten years. With a background in management, training and investigations, Ed has regulated the police and solicitors during his career. He was an Investigation Officer at the SRA, giving him a unique angle on legal regulation.

Ed is experienced in legal regulatory matters and uses his knowledge gained from his time at the SRA and elsewhere to help our clients on a day to day basis. Using his previous experiences as a trainer Ed enjoys both virtual or face to face training sessions, and strives to make them as interactive as possible.

Very approachable in his manner, Ed is particularly keen on helping our clients through their risk and regulatory concerns and thrives in getting to know his clients and tailor his approach to how they work.

Liz has over 30 years` experience in enforcement, risk and regulation management, beginning her career as a Police Officer before moving into various Regulation roles, and then to the SRA for 23 years where she worked as a Practice Standards Adviser, a Forensic Investigation Officer, and a Forensic Investigation Manager.

In addition to conducting risk audits and advising on the implementation of robust strategies, Liz has conducted and overseen numerous SRA investigations into various areas of non-compliance, including AML, Solicitors Accounts Rules breaches and thematic investigations. This has given her a wealth of experience in all aspects of legal risk and compliance management. She has an excellent knowledge and understanding of SRA investigative processes and disciplinary proceedings.

In her most recent role as a senior leader in the General Counsel & Risk function of a global law firm, Liz was able to apply her regulatory knowledge to become a trusted adviser to the COLP and COFA. Being `game keeper turned poacher`, Liz is in a fairly unique position of understanding the challenges of legal compliance from both a regulatory and commercial view.

As an established leader, Liz is also able to offer mentoring, support and guidance on general aspects of management to help maximise team performance and retention.

A Chartered Accountant by training, Sean brings over 29 years of experience with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Law Society. He concluded his career at the SRA as Head of Forensic Investigation and Intelligence, following previous roles as an Investigation Manager and Forensic Investigation Officer.

Sean possesses a wealth of expertise in legal risk, compliance management, and regulatory enforcement. His foundational knowledge is underscored by his co-authorship of the current SRA Accounts Rules, warning notices, and guidance documents. Furthermore, he directly managed the regulatory decision-making process for all qualified accountants’ reports.

A frequent speaker, Sean has shared his insights at major industry events, including SRA Compliance Conferences, ICAEW Solicitors Network events, and ILFM Conferences. Before his time in regulation, he worked for accountancy firms EY and PKF.

Lydia is a knowledgeable compliance professional with significant experience advising legal and financial firms on risk and compliance management.

Lydia has investigated and handled complaints, created and delivered training to firms’ solicitors, senior management and support teams, conducted firm-wide audits and updated firms’ policies, controls and procedures in line with regulatory and legal updates. Most recently, Lydia has advised a firm’s COLP and COFA in relation to the new SRA Standards and Regulations and implemented new file opening procedures to strengthen the firm’s anti-money laundering and due diligence checks.

Lydia has previously worked with major commercial and retail banks on their anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing procedures, quality assuring their due diligence and know your client files and advising on the risk assessments of their clients.

Lydia’s ability to carry out thorough and detailed investigations to provide effective and proportionate recommendations has been commended by firms she has worked with. She understands that effective compliance management should enhance a business, rather than hinder it.

Tony is a qualified solicitor (non-practising) and has over 10 years’ experience in
professional regulation and risk management. Tony previously worked with the SRA where he engaged with law firms in authorising and approving over 500 firm based and individual applications.

Tony has worked with firms in the recognition of new business models, innovation of existing entities and ongoing risk management support. He has provided clients with practical, workable solutions and consistently exceeded expectations.

Tony’s knowledge of regulatory matters, ability to grasp issues and provide practical, workable solutions has often been commended by his clients.

Tony is also a Law Society accredited Lexcel consultant.

In general practice Deborah has been a litigator, worked at partnership level, headed teams, undertaken business development, and been responsible for compliance, risk management, and complaints handling.

Deborah is an expert in relation to ABS applications and provides COLP-help risk management services via JBL Compliance.

Deborah is also an experienced and highly regarded Lexcel assessor with Recognising Excellence and Centre for Assessment, and a Lexcel/compliance consultant with DJF Consultancy,

With her in-depth knowledge Deborah regularly provides practical bespoke solutions to develop strategic plans; improve compliance, client care, and transfer or mitigate risks; and maximise efficiencies and profitability. She also provides tailored training, and regularly speaks at conferences/events.

Deborah is extremely approachable, enthusiastic, and very committed to the firms she works with.

Christine is a qualified solicitor and former partner having worked in private practice for over 20 years. During this time, she was involved in supervising a team, undertaking file reviews and sat on the risk and compliance committee which included drafting and reviewing policies, plans and procedures and active involvement in an application for Lexcel accreditation and subsequent Lexcel annual reassessments.

Christine is also a Lexcel accredited consultant and a qualified Lexcel assessor.

Christine has an in-depth knowledge of the practical issues which arise in law firms on a day to day basis and offers a practical approach and solutions.

Stephen is a qualified solicitor admitted in 1984. He trained in London before moving to Norfolk in 1991 where he continued to practice as a Family and Disputes lawyer until 2007 when he became Managing Partner/Director. As Managing Partner Stephen was responsible for his firm’s Insurance, Compliance and Regulatory obligations whilst overseeing the Incorporation of the LLP and subsequent licensing as an ABS. Stephen thus has first-hand experience of the challenges and difficulties facing todays law firms in the world of regulation and compliance.

Stephen is a member of the Law Society Accreditation Appeals Panel, Chair of Governors for his local Academy and trustee of his local Citizens Advice Bureau and Age UK Norfolk.

He is also a Lexcel-accredited consultant.

Stuart joined the legal profession in 1985 and qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1993 (now non-practising). In private practice he gained experience of both contentious and non-contentious work before becoming more focused on management and compliance. He was Practice and Compliance Manager for a medium sized firm in the Midlands from 2000 to 2011.

In 2011 Stuart took the decision to become a consultant for the profession in the areas of compliance and risk management, specialising in advising on and assisting with the Law Society’s Lexcel Legal Practice Quality Mark. In 2012, he qualified as a Lexcel assessor and conducts a large number of assessments each year on behalf of the three approved assessment bodies, Recognising Excellence, Inspiring Business Practice, and Centre for Assessment. He also audits firms for the Legal Aid Agency’s Specialist Quality Mark.

Stuart’s extensive knowledge and experience enables him to provide practical solutions for firms of different sizes and types and their varying needs.

Paul has a solid breadth and depth of experience helping legal practices to maximise income whilst reducing risk. Former UK Head of Professional Practices at Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Bank, for the past 16 years, Paul has worked with law firms of various sizes and complexity across the UK and Northern Ireland. Having seen banks shift away from legal sector specialism Paul established his consultancy services offering a trusted, independent approach to finance and risk management.

As a qualified Lexcel Assessor and accredited Lexcel Consultant, on behalf of Recognising Excellence, Paul is highly commended by law firm clients for helping them to develop processes and procedures which maximise efficiencies and help to evidence financial stability and viability.

Paul also speaks and writes regularly on financial factors impacting the legal sector.