About Andrew
I wish to introduce myself as the newest member of the Linnitts family, having joined our firm in August 2018.
Following my qualification as a solicitor in London in 1991, I have worked over the years as far afield as Swansea to Southend. The pull of the West Country, has proved to be irresistible. By way of local connection, my father is originally from Teignmouth and I have always loved this area since childhood.
By way of background, I was born in the USA and remained there through university, apart from a couple of years pursuing A levels in Bristol. When in the US I worked for a period in the space shuttle programme but was always interested in the law. My first actual taste of this was undertaking a position as a Pre-Trial Interviewer with the US Federal District Court. An opportunity then opened up for me to return to the UK to qualify as a solicitor. I jumped at the chance.
Upon completing my legal training, for several years I engaged in general practice work in areas such as probate, conveyancing, housing, crime, and company commercial law, eventually overseeing a satellite office of a Bristol firm. I always though found myself leaning towards family law. It gave me great pleasure to assist clients during periods of their lives when they were suffering upheaval and distress, to help them achieve an outcome on any issues they were facing - on a constructive, sympathetic and proportional basis. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
I have long since been a member of Resolution and abide by their Code of Practice. At my last posting, my involvement with Resolution included being appointed as a council member. Further, I have achieved Resolution specialist accreditation status in the areas of complex family remedy and private law children cases. I have also been trained in collaborative law, a relatively new procedure whereby settlements are negotiated through direct round table discussion and away from costly and acrimonious Court litigation. This procedure is a vast departure from the “traditional” adversarial battles which separating couples can often otherwise find themselves in. Agreeing matters voluntarily with the assistance of an experienced solicitor can only benefit all concerned, especially when children may be involved.
Outside of work, I enjoy a number of hobbies, such as collecting antique Chinese porcelain. More often than not though I can be found with my feet up reading a good book.
