Russell-Cooke has appointed Susanna Heley as legal director in its public and regulatory team. Susanna joins from Weightmans, bringing extensive experience in regulatory law and professional disciplinary matters, particularly concerning solicitors and other legal professionals. She has represented clients in SRA investigations, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal proceedings and judicial review challenges.
Susanna’s practice also includes advising firms and compliance officers on regulatory obligations, internal investigations and self-reports. Her work spans issues involving rights to practise, Alternative Business Structures and commercial disputes such as shareholder, partnership and insolvency matters.
A recognised authority in the field, Susanna co-authors The Solicitors Handbook and textbooks on SDT procedure and SRA investigations. She also writes for Practical Law and LexisNexis and serves as chairperson of the Solicitors Assistance Scheme, supporting solicitors and their families through professional challenges.
Michael Stacey, partner in the public and regulatory team, said the firm was ‘delighted to welcome Susanna’, adding that her ‘deep knowledge of solicitors’ regulation, combined with her litigation experience and profile in the regulatory field, makes her an excellent fit for our established team’. Susanna commented that ‘Russell-Cooke has a stellar reputation for its regulatory work and for supporting solicitors and firms at all stages of their professional journey’ and that she looks forward to ‘helping clients navigate the increasingly complex regulatory landscape’.
