Profiles

Frank set up the firm in 2016 after working full time in law since 2000. Creating the firm fulfilled his ambition to run his own business.

Frank was born in Herefordshire and studied law with Italian at Cardiff University and Parma University in Italy. He has worked in Florence and Milan and is a fluent Italian speaker. Frank started his legal career at Wragge & Co (now international law firm Gowling WLG) before moving to Cheltenham in 2006. He was previously a partner and head of department at Harrison Clark Rickerbys and Willans LLP.

Frank is a nationally recognised legal expert. Chambers UK recommends him as "an expert in his field, representing landowners on conveyancing, easements and maintenance issues". Legal 500 recommends him as someone who "provides prompt, professional and trustworthy advice" a "deal maker'' and someone who is "knowledgeable, practical and pragmatic''.

The firm is now a well-established and thriving part of the Gloucestershire business community and Frank continues to provide hands on management of the firm.

Email: frank@franksmithandco.com
Direct Dial: 01242 358170

Originally obtaining his law degree at Aberystwyth University in 1997, before going on to study for a Master's Degree in International Law, Nick has worked previously in Tewkesbury providing advice to local authorities. In Oxfordshire, he specialised in commercial lender finance and most recently in Gloucester, specialised as a commercial property solicitor, joining Frank Smith and Co Solicitors in 2021.

Nick provides a friendly and professional approach to complex commercial conveyancing matters and enjoys working on the granting or renewal of commercial property leases and commercial freehold transfers.

Email: nick@franksmithandco.com
Direct Dial: 01242 358176

Natalie heads up the Private Client Department and is an experienced private client Solicitor and STEP qualified Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP). Natalie specialises in wills, probate, powers of attorney, estate planning and trusts.

Natalie achieved a Bsc in Equine Science at Hartpury College before completing a GDL in Law. After university Natalie completed her training contract with Penleys solicitors in Dursley (which later merged to become WSP Solicitors) and stayed with them upon qualification in 2010. In 2012 she was awarded young solicitor of the year by the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Law Society (GWILS). Natalie later worked at Harrison Clark Rickerbys, in both Cheltenham and Hereford, and Ladders Solicitors in both Cheltenham and Stratford upon Avon, before joining Frank Smith & Co Solicitors in 2020.

Natalie prides herself on the way she explains complex and challenging concepts to our clients in a clear and concise manner. Natalie enjoys the variety of work and the varied clients Frank Smith & Co Solicitors offers.

Email: natalie@franksmithandco.com
Direct Dial:  01242 801748
Mobile: 07534660982

Steve is a Chartered Management Accountant specialising in assisting new businesses with their financial and operational processes as they grow and prosper.

Born and educated in the southern part of Gloucestershire, Steve has over 40 years' experience working with small to medium sized businesses in numerous sectors including Financial Services and the Legal Sector.

Steve has been working with Frank since he set up the business ensuring that the firm's administrative and financial systems are fit for purpose and can cope with the rapid growth being enjoyed by the firm.

Steve is a regulated Member in Practice of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. In the words of one delegate at a recent business show in Bristol, “So, you’re more than just an accountant……” sums him up nicely.

Christine has lived in Gloucestershire for most of her life. In 1988 she started working as a junior secretary in a law firm, and it was then she knew that the legal environment was the career she wished to follow. For many years Christine provided support for residential and commercial property lawyers.

Christine was delighted to join Frank Smith & Co Solicitors and is enjoying being part of a friendly team and professional firm. She joined initially as a legal secretary providing top quality secretarial and administrative support to fee earners as well as liaising with clients. before embarking on her current role as Office Manager.

Christine finds her role as Office Manager extremely interesting and varied and enables her to fulfil her potential.

Email: christine@franksmithandco.com
Direct Dial: 01242 358172

Tim was born and raised on his family farm in the Cotswolds where he and his father operate a mixed farm. Like many farms, they are adopting regenerative practices with the reintroduction of both cattle and sheep on the predominantly arable enterprise and the
addition of commercial units and glamping.

In 2014 Tim graduated from the Royal Agricultural University with a Batchelors of Science in Agriculture before commencing his legal studies in Bristol to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Law and 2 years later, become a Master of Law (LLM) with Distinction.

He became one of the youngest district councillors in the country in the May 2014 and stood for 2 terms representing his rural community of more than 2,300 residents. A large part of the role was planning matters, environmental policy adoption, scrutiny of public infrastructure installations and appealing against the LA's planning decisions on behalf of residents.

Prior to Joining Frank Smith and Co Solicitors Tim worked in financial services supporting Chief Operating Officers and Chief Control Officers from the world's largest Investment Banks and Asset Managers.

Tim believes his deep-rooted knowledge and continued passion for agriculture is a key asset to best represent the firm's agricultural and estate client's interests.

Email: timothy@franksmithandco.com
Direct Line: 01242 358177

Originally born in Finland, Nora emigrated to England as a young girl and obtained her law degree from the University of Gloucestershire. Having loved the area so much, Nora decided to remain in Gloucestershire to pursue her legal career. In Nora's own words "I love being a part of Frank Smith & Co Solicitors as I am surrounded by bright and knowledgeable people that I can learn from".

Nora is a trainee solicitor in our residential conveyancing department acting for clients in freehold and leasehold sales, purchases and re-mortgages. Nora also enjoys preparing and submitting first registration applications.

Nora's favourite part of her role is assisting our clients with their matters and ensuring that our clients feel the advice we provide to them is both professional and personal.

Email: nora@franksmithandco.com
Direct Dial: 01242 358171

Robert has lived in Gloucestershire all his life. He studied his LLB at the University of the West of England and first worked in law in 2021 as a Case Manager at Equilaw Solicitors, after graduating with a first-class degree.

Robert was delighted to accept the position of Conveyancing Executive in the residential team with Frank Smith & Co Solicitors. In Robert's words "I relish the opportunity of being part of a nationally recognised law firm which is an expert in property matters and is recommended by Chambers UK and Legal 500"

Robert's aim is to qualify as Chartered Legal Executive and continue to assist Frank in the residential conveyancing department providing quality service to our clients.

Email: robert@franksmithandco.com
Direct Line: 01242 358175

Claudia has lived in Gloucestershire since 2006, having been based previously in London and Hong Kong. She obtained an LLB (Hons) from Oxford Brook University and the LPC from the University of Law. Prior to joining Frank Smith & Co Solicitors, Claudia worked for eight years in legal research.

Claudia was delighted when an opportunity arose to work with Frank and his team. She finds working in commercial and agricultural property transactions challenging and engaging, and she hopes to advance her legal qualifications by taking the SQE2 exams in 2024.

In her time off Claudia enjoys practising yoga and Pilates, drawing, and taking long country walks with Monty, her Parson Russell Terrier.

Email: claudia@franksmithandco.com

Ruth has lived in Gloucestershire since 1989, having relocated from South Wales where she trained and started her career as a medical secretary. After 26 years working for the NHS, Ruth embarked on a period of self-employment, before joining Frank Smith and Co Solicitors in 2018.

Ruth is delighted to be undertaking the role of Legal Secretary in such a friendly and professional firm and is enjoying working in a legal environment.

Ruth aims to assist the team by providing top quality and efficient completion of administrative and secretarial tasks mainly in our residential conveyancing department.

Email: reception@franksmithandco.com
Direct Dial: 01242 801748

Jo started work as a legal secretary in Cheltenham in 1987. She has also worked as a secretary in other professional environments. Jo has returned to legal work gaining experience within the private client and residential departments.

Jo is delighted to be part of a small firm. She is a valuable member of the secretarial team, and her aim is to provide strong secretarial and administrative support to the team. She particularly enjoys assisting Natalie Smith within the Private Client Department.

Email: joanna@franksmithandco.com
Direct Line: 01242 358179