Solicitors

Rob Wilks – Solicitor and Legal Services Manager

Deaf, Rob has worked for RAD for six years. Originally from Newport, South Wales, he has a BA (Hons) degree in History, and commenced his legal training having completed Diplomas in Law and Legal Practice. He completed a LLM in Law of Employment Relations with the University of Leicester in 2008. His specialist area of law is employment, but he can also advise on discrimination in housing, goods and services and education.

Having qualified as a solicitor in May 2007, Rob handles all complex legal casework in this capacity where required. Rob manages RAD Legal Services, and line manages the caseworkers and his communication assistant.

Rob is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, and is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas.

Caseworkers

Laura Eadsforth – Supervising Caseworker

Deaf, Laura is a graduate of the University of Central Lancashire with a BA (Hons) degree in Deaf Studies and Sociology, and is working on her MA in Television Studies from the University of Wales Aberystwyth. She has worked for RAD since June 2005 and now provides casework supervision to five caseworkers. She is very keen to become a specialised caseworker, particularly in the areas of debt and immigration. Laura is very keen to develop RAD Legal Services and is working closely with the Legal Services Supervisor to do so.

Laura is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas, and hopes to commence a ILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice course in September 2009, with the aim of becoming a Legal Executive.

Riccardo Hoyte – Trainee Supervising Caseworker

Deaf, Riccardo studied a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts and has since been involved in the entertainment world having taken part in the musical Fame and winning Deaf Idol. He is a Sign Song performer for the Deaf community, and has been so for 4 years. In the past year, he has begun to branch out into the hearing community. Ricky is also a presenter for VeeSee and recently signed a 1-year contract with the first ever deaf visual radio ‘Radio Signs’.

Riccardo has worked within RAD Legal Services as a Caseworker for three years, and is delighted to be working within a great team and doing what he loves best, providing legal advice to the Deaf commnunity. He hopes to develop a specialism in welfare benefits and housing law, and seeks a career in the advice field.

Riccardo is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas except Entry clearance and Managed migration.

Daniel Webster – Caseworker

Deaf, Daniel joined RAD in October 2006 and has held a number of different posts. He started out as a volunteer before becoming a Youth Worker.

Daniel feels his position helps him to make a positive impact on the lives of Deaf people and he is excited about working with such a friendly and experienced team. He has developed a particular specialism in money advice and debt matters.

Daniel is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas.

Amanda Everitt – Caseworker

Deaf, and originally from New Zealand, Amanda is a welcome addition to the Legal Services team. She joined RAD in September 2007, and is the first Deaf New Zealand Sign Language user to complete a Law degree, with a good knowledge of NZ indigenous Maori and Treaty law. She has worked with Deaf Maori on advocacy issues, and was a National Co-ordinator for New Zealand Sign Language Week 2007 at the Deaf Association of New Zealand.

With a keen interest in policy analysis, submissions and resource development, Amanda welcomes the opportunity to get to grips with the UK legal system. Amanda is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas.

Paul Lennon – Caseworker

Deaf, Paul originates from Wrexham, North Wales, and is a proud father of four children. He went to Derby College for the Deaf where he studied to be a chef. After acheiving his goal of becoming a head chef he has found a new direction in which to take his career forward. Orignally starting as a volunteer caseworker, Paul has now become a full time member of the team, and hopes to improve the quality of life for the Deaf people who use our service.

Paul is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas, and hopes to embark on a LLB (Hons) degree from February 2010 with the Open University, with the aim eventually to become a qualified solicitor.

Support Staff

Lianne Lusty – Communication Assistant to Rob Wilks

Hearing, Lianne registered as a Junior Trainee Interpreter (JTI) in January 2009. After stuying English Literature at University, she worked full time at Pravins Jewellers. From there she obtained employment as an Apprentice Interpreter with the Welsh Assembly / RNID’s BSL Futures project, and completed the Individual Interpreter Development Programme in 2009. Lianne is currently undertaking the Level 4 NVQ Interpreting Units with the RNID.

She is now Rob Wilks’ Communication Assistant and is based at the Cardiff office.

Shaunett Harris – Team Communicator

Hearing, Shaunett is a recent addition to the team, and joined from the Metropolitan Police where she worked for six years as a Communication Officer. She completed her Pre-Level 4 in BSL with Remark! in January 2008, and is hoping to begin her Level 4 in BSL at the end of 2009.

She is the Team Communicator for the entire Legal Services team and is based full-time at the Shoreditch office.