Our Team

Cowes boy and English graduate Adam came to the law after an initial career with British Aerospace. There his dealings with export contracts made him wonder about a career as a lawyer, and he returned to college to study.

Although he planned to do commercial law he found in his first practice in Portsmouth that he was particularly suited to private client work, and at Eldridges, with whom he has been since 2006, he deals with Wills, Probate and Trusts. His sensitivity to the needs of people at a time of bereavement enables him to guide them through the legal technicalities in a sympathetic and professional way.

Adam is a qualified Trust and Estate Practitioner, and in setting up and administering Trusts and Wills, Adam sometimes has to tread what can be a sensitive tightrope. A beyond-the-grave wish may have practical implications for offspring with previous partners, and Adam’s knowledge and experience makes for straightforward and helpful solutions.

Tax burdens are a worry to those making provision for their loved ones, and by constantly updating his knowledge as laws change Adam can help clients through complex or confusing situations.

Adam is a family man with three children. He plays guitar, once in a band but now simply for pleasure and at his local church.

Sarah, one of our senior Directors in the firm, heads up the team in Freshwater, encouraging a friendly, open approach to clients and welcoming personal visitors and telephone enquirers equally.

Sarah took a different route from her colleagues to become a solicitor. Rather than studying law at University she went through the Legal Executive route, which meant she was working and training at the same time, and she jokes that she had to work twice as hard as her colleagues for her qualification. Certainly, her commitment to hard work has never left her.

She has been with Eldridges since 2003. She specialises in private client work, which means giving clients advice on Wills, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney, and considered it important to gain the extra qualification of a Trust and Estate Practitioner, something not compulsory but which is becoming an industry standard.

Because many of her local clients are elderly, she is more than happy to visit them in their homes for no extra charge, and her friendly, practical manner puts them at ease.

When she isn’t working, Sarah will be enjoying the Isle of Wight countryside with her dog or she will be tending to her fabulous garden.

Ian went to Exeter University to obtain a degree in Politics and subsequently to the College of Law in Guildford to obtain a degree in Law. Having qualified as a solicitor in 2010 he gained knowledge and experience at another local firm prior to joining Eldridges in January 2021.

Ian specialises in residential property and private client work, enjoying the variety each aspect provides. He regularly takes instructions from clients both local and further afield and many return to seek his advice in future matters knowing they will get an objective, professional service and a high level of client care and compassion in more sensitive matters.

In his spare time he enjoys the countryside and attending sporting events including rugby, cricket and horse racing.

Joni has been practising the Solicitors Accounts Rules on the Island since 2004 and was invited onto the board of directors at Eldridges as an associate in 2022.  Joni manages the day-to-day running of the firm including Accounts, HR, Risk and Compliance.  Outside of work, Joni’s interests include travel, horse riding, dog walking and spending time with her family.

James’ particular specialism is in Family law and finds his ‘problem solving approach’ particularly effective in guiding people through tough times in their personal lives, whether it be in relation to Divorce unmarried separation, Child arrangements, Financial/Property issues, or a combination of these. He is known for getting to the heart of the problem quickly and trying to resolve issues swiftly, if at all possible without having to resort to Court proceedings or run up substantial costs.

He has a substantial following and receives many recommendations from former clients and fellow professionals. James has been on the Island since 1996 and while he has experience in areas such as crime, civil litigation and employment law, it is Family law that has been his continual interest. In 2010 he became the first solicitor on the Island to qualify as a family mediator; a way of avoiding the unpleasantness, time and expense associated with going to court. He still deals with financial mediation work on a private basis.

He does enjoy the cut and thrust of Court though, and is a well-regarded advocate. He is also very regularly instructed in his other main specialist area, employment law, representing employee or employer.

James is very active in the local community. As a well-known musician, he runs the annual Isle of Wight Jazz Weekend, and organises many music events at the Quay Arts Centre, where he has also served a Trustee. He is also a popular local sportsman: as well as having been Chairman of the Isle of Wight Cricket Board between 2006 and 2010, he has scored over 10,000 runs for Shanklin CC! James is also a very keen golfer and in his spare time he runs the junior golf section at his local Club.

Rachel re-joined Eldridges in 2015, having worked since 1994 for several Island-based law firms, and is now a valued member of our Residential Conveyancing team based in the Newport office. She studies with Associate of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Law School and achieved Associate status in 2019, and is now continuing her development with a view to becoming a Chartered Legal Executive.

With her experience in residential conveyancing clients find her communication and objective but sensitive approach reassuring at what can be a stressful time.

Away from the office her young family keeps her busy and she enjoys walking along the Island’s stunning coastlines or in the countryside. On the rare occasions when she finds a minute to herself Rachel enjoys music and plays both the guitar and the cello.

Megan is a qualified solicitor working in our Wills and Probate department, having qualified in March 2022.

Megan obtained her Law degree from the University of Sussex before attending University of Law in Guildford where she completed her Legal Practice Course with a Masters in Professional Legal Practice. She had two years previous experience working in Wills and Probate before she began training to be a solicitor with us. During her time training to be a solicitor, she had experience in all of our departments but made the decision to qualify into Wills and Probate as she enjoys advising clients on all aspects in that department most.

Megan devotes a lot of her free time to running and enjoys exploring new and challenging routes across the Island. When she isn’t running, she enjoys baking marvellous cakes for family and friends.

Kyle joined Eldridges in 2021, initially working as a paralegal in the Family and Ligation Department. He then commenced his training contract with us and qualified as a solicitor in August 2023. Over the course of Kyle’s training, he has chosen to specialise in family law and dispute resolution including contentious probate, contract disputes and repossession claims.

Kyle obtained his law degree from Oxford Brookes University before attending the University of Law in Reading, where he completed the Legal Practice Course with a Masters in Professional Legal Practice. He has previous experience working in each of our Family, Litigation and Private Client departments and has gained experience in employment law from a previous firm based in Southampton.

Kyle is a keen traveller and will jump on any opportunity to visit a new country. After completing his Masters, Kyle decided to spend some time travelling across Asia teaching English to university students whilst living in China. Kyle is a big football, rugby and tennis fan and enjoys nothing more than going to a live sporting event. In his spare time, Kyle enjoys the odd bit of cooking, and attending social events with his family and friends.

Josh joined the team in August 2024.

Frances started her training contract on 01 June 2023, and has now formally begun her training to qualify as a solicitor. During this time, she will be spending time working mainly in our Private Client and Contentious Probate Departments.

Frances obtained her Law degree from the University of Brighton. She is currently attending the University of Law online, where she is undergoing her Legal Practice Course with a Masters Degree in Professional Legal Practice. Frances has had a year’s previous experience working in the Private Client Department here at Eldridges.

Frances is a keen sailor and paddle boarder – so much so that she always has her paddle board with her wherever she goes. Frances enjoys hiking and exploring new places, and in her free time, Frances enjoys socialising with her family and friends.

Paula is currently assisting Ian Bradshaw, but she has just started her journey with CILEX to become a licenced conveyancer. She has been with the firm for three years as a secretary and embraces every challenge she is faced with. She is a valued member of the Eldridges team due to her compassionate and supportive nature which she also applies to her work when dealing with clients and other contacts during the course of an instruction.

Outside of work Paula spends a lot of time with her family and friends and enjoys long walks in the countryside and along the west Wight coastal paths.

Regan joined Eldridges in February 2024, initially starting as a Paralegal within the Family and Litigation Department. He has recently commenced his training contract to become a solicitor at the firm. During his training, Regan will work in a wide variety of departments including, but not limited to, Private Client, Conveyancing, Contentious Probate and Litigation.

Regan obtained his qualifying law degree at Bournemouth University before studying at the University of Law, where he completed the Legal Practice Course. Regan has obtained a great range of experience and exposure from prior employments, specifically property litigation.

Regan thoroughly enjoys his sport, specifically tennis and football. He has been extremely fortunate enough to represent the Isle of Wight in numerous International Island Games for tennis. Travelling and visiting new places has always been a personal hobby of his. Besides the sport and travelling, Regan is a great lover of dogs and frequently takes his dog out on walks around the island.