Meet the ASD Team.

Joined Lincolns Inn in 1969
Called to the Bar: 1973
Fields of Work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation

Richard practiced as a Barrister at the Nottingham Bar between 1973 - 1980. Richard became a Solicitor in June 1980 and established Beresford and Long Solicitors in Sheffield in 1984. He has specialised in personal injury cases for the last 26 years. Richard is a long standing member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

Year of Call: 1999

Degree LLB (Hons) Hull University
Fields of Work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation

Richard is a personal injury Solicitor, specialising in Civil Procedure and accidents at work. Having joined the firm in 1996, Richard qualified as a Solicitor in February 1999, becoming a Partner in June 2001.

Richard has been involved in over 5000 personal injury cases and has over 10 years experience in the personal injury field. Litigation has resulted in more than 100 successes at trials, while compensation of over 15 million pounds has been recovered on his clients’ behalf. Having led the way in ensuring a free service for all personal injury clients, Richard is now heavily involved in providing free rehabilitation and interest free loans to those with severe injuries.

Richard is a long standing member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is proud that his firm has been accredited by APIL due to the high standard of client care.

Year of Call: 2007

Degree BSC (Hons) PG DL PG Dip
Fields of Work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation

Ralph joined the firm in September 2003. He has since completed a part-time Post Graduate Diploma in Law and has completed the Legal Practice Course, obtaining a distinction in the same.
 
Ralph's background is in health and safety. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Health in 1998, before qualifying as an Environmental Health Officer. He then specialised in the enforcement of health and safety and accident investigation within premises in Sheffield, before commencing an MSc in Occupational Health and Safety Management.   

Ralph has an in-depth knowledge of Health and Safety legislation, specialising in traumatic accidents at work. Having experience of civil trials, site meetings, and engineering disputes, Ralph became a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) in 2004.

Year of call: 1999

Degree LLB (Hons) Bournemouth University
Fields of work: Personal Injury / Civil Litigation / Criminal Litigation

Chris completed his training contract at Banner Jones & Middleton solicitors in Chesterfield before moving on to specialise in Criminal Litigation at Irwin Mitchell in Sheffield. He went on to gain extensive experience in all aspects of Criminal Defence work but specifically defending clients at police stations and at the Magistrates Court. Chris has also assisted Counsel with representing defendants at the Crown Court for more serious offences.

Chris moved to Favell Smith & Lawson in 2003 to continue Criminal Litigation where he specialised in trials and motoring cases before joining ASD in June 2008. Chris deals with all aspects of Personal Injury and Civil Litigation, while continuing to deal with privately funded Criminal Litigation.

Lydia joined ASD in 1988 as the Accounts Manager and is now the Practice Manager. She is a member of the Institute of Legal Cashiers (ILCA) and is responsible for the efficient management of the Company.

Linda joined ASD in 1985 as a Senior Secretary. She is now an invaluable member of the team, having well over 25 years experience in Personal Injury she works closely along side the Solicitors in order to assist with the efficient handling of every file. She is the primary contact for ASD and is able to deal with queries and enquiries from both Clients and Professionals alike.

Julie joined ASD in 1999 as a Secretary in the Personal Injury Department. She now deals with recovering Costs with the assistance of Just Costs, Solicitors.

Joanne has been a loyal member of staff since 1994. She now assists in dealing with all the ATE Insurance for our Clients.

Marie is our longest standing member of staff having worked for the Practice since it first started over 25 years ago.

Kirsty started at ASD in 2005 as the Office Junior. Whilst working for ASD she has completed her NVQ 1, 2 & 3 in Business Administration and has now completed her NVQ 1 & 2 in ITQ.  She has now been promoted to Secretary, and in an invaluable member of the Team.

Tracy joined the Practice in 2001 as a Secretary in the Conveyancing Department.. She is now helps run the Reception in addition to her Secretarial duties.

Nicky joined us in February 2007 as a Secretary in the Conveyancing Department.  She now deals with the Reception along with her Secretarial duties.

Ashleigh joined ASD in June as the new Office Junior.