Solicitors

Rob Wilks – Solicitor and Head of Legal Services

Deaf, Rob has worked for RAD for nine 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.

Rob’s specialist area of law is employment, but he can also advise on discrimination in housing, goods and services and education. He is also able to draft wills on behalf of clients, and provide advice in divorce matters.

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 Supervising Caseworker and his BSL/English Interpreter.

Rob is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Caseworkers / Money Advisers

Laura Eadsforth – Supervising Caseworker (Currently on maternity leave)

Deaf, Laura is a graduate of the University of Central Lancashire with a BA (Hons) degree in Deaf Studies and Sociology, and completed her MA in Television Studies with the University of Wales Aberystwyth in July 2009.

Laura has worked for RAD since June 2005 and now line manages the caseworkers as well as the Team Communicator. She is a specialist caseworker in the areas of welfare benefits, employment, debt and housing, and has a particular interest in family law. Laura is very keen to develop RAD Legal Services and is working closely with the Head of Legal Services to do so.

Laura is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas, and has completed the first year of a ILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice, with the aim of becoming a Legal Executive.

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, and co-ordinates all our volunteers.

Daniel is registered as a Level 1: Initial Advice adviser in immigration matters in all areas, has completed a Citizens Advice financial capability training skills course, is due to commence a volunteer management course, and is currently working towards achieving a Level 3 NVQ in Legal Advice with Advice UK.

Desmond Masterson – Money Adviser

Deaf, Des is a graduate of the University of Central Lancashire with a BA (Hons) degree in Deaf Studies (including Social Policy modules). Before that, he used to work as the Senior Customer Services Officer for one of the well-known banks.

Des joined RAD as the Employment Adviser in November 2007 after he started out as a volunteer in the Employment Service. This gave him the opportunity to put his theory into practice around the barriers that Deaf people face within the mainstream services.

He has held a variety of posts, including the Social Policy Officer, and produced the report “Disability Discrimination Act 1995, why do barriers still exist for d/Deaf people?”

Holding onto the strength of his skills and experience with money-related issues from having worked in the bank, he recently developed a particular specialism in the area of money advice enabling d/Deaf people to make informed choices. He completed the Citizens Advice financial capability training skills and CPAG Debt Advice training.

Support Staff

Philip Sewell – BSL/English Interpreter for Rob Wilks

Hearing, Phil has been working for RAD Legal Services since April 2011. He grew up in Bristol in a large family of 15 children and still lives in the area with his wife and 2 children.

After shifting from a career in IT he decided he wanted to work among the Deaf Community and in 2007 landed his first job as a Community Support Worker for the RNID. He then went on to work in the Centre for Deaf Studies at the University of Bristol where his main role was PA to the Centre Director as well as filming and publishing the daily BSL news service.

He has recently achieved status as a Junior Trainee Interpreter with NRCPD and is currently studying at the University of Central Lancashire on a 2 year Postgraduate programme. His aim, upon completion of the course, is to become an MRSLI registered interpreter.

He is Rob Wilks’ full-time BSL/English Interpreter providing maternity cover and is based at the Cardiff office.

Lianne Lusty – BSL/English Interpreter for Rob Wilks (Currently on maternity leave)

Hearing, Lianne registered as a Member of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters (MRLSI) in July 2010. After studying English Literature at the University of Glamorgan, 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, completed the Individual Interpreter Development Programme in 2009 and the Level 4 NVQ Interpreting Units with the RNID in May 2010.

She is Rob Wilks’ full-time BSL/English Interpreter and is based at the Cardiff office.