PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT19th Apr 2012
Fiona qualified as a solicitor in 1989. After completing her training with a local firm she joined Coles Miller in 1993 becoming a partner in 1997.
Fiona is based at the firms Bournemouth office and specialises in Commercial Property work. She has acted for some of the area's most prominent property developers and on major hotel, office, retail and industrial unit transactions. She also deals with the more complex residential property matters.
Having been born and always lived in the area Fiona is passionate about Bournemouth being a successful environment for people to live and work in. She is a member of the Bournemouth Borough Council's Town Centre Management Board and a Trustee of the Bournemouth Association for the Care of the Elderly. Fiona is the current President of the Bournemouth & District Law Society. She is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Bournemouth.
Fiona has always been a keen sportswoman. When she is not trying to master the game of golf Fiona cycles. In 2010 she cycled from London to Paris for the Alzheimer's Society and raised over £13,000.
The Bournemouth and District Law Society (BDLS) is the professional body representing Solicitors in the Bournemouth and surrounding area. It provides services and support for local Solicitors and trainee Solicitor members. By helping local Solicitors maintain and improve their services and by monitoring their firms and also developments in the law, it also serve society as a whole.
The Society was established in 1893 and currently has nearly 500 members and with its extensive lectures, social programmes and professional committees it is one of the most active professional societies in central southern England. Fiona is the 92nd President and the third woman to hold this position.
Fiona's theme for her Presidential year is "Professionals Working Together". To her this means engaging with the BDLS's 500 members to ensure we are providing them with the services they require from a professional membership body. Equally important it means engaging with other professional groups locally so its respective members can interact on a more regular basis. Events where they can jointly attend will provide the opportunity to network in an informal setting and facilitate connections for referral of clients and work. The approach to other local professional groups has been welcomed. The first event hosted by BDLS for local professionals is a Croquet Evening on 14th June, then a Wine Tasting Evening on 14th September and a Professionals Quiz on 15th November. Fiona is also looking at forming a Joint Professions Group to service professionals in the Bournemouth conurbation.
Fiona has selected a Charity to support in her year of office which is Help & Care. As her mother suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, she is acutely aware of the issues which affect elderly people and their families. Help & Care is based in Pokesdown and provides services including a Help Line to elderly people and their carers and families in Dorset. After her Presidential year, Fiona has committed to a sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for Help & Care. This time it is from Lands End to John O'Groats - 1,000 miles to be cycled in 2 weeks !
This document is not intended to constitute and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice on any specific matter. No liability for the accuracy of the content of this document, or the consequences of relying on it, is assumed by the author. If you seek further information, please contact Managing Partner Neil Andrews at Coles Miller Solicitors LLP.
