Our People

Stephen Melzack – Partner

Stephen Melzack qualified as a solicitor in 1976 having joined Parker Thomas as an articled clerk and subsequently became and continues to be a partner.

He is a general commercial lawyer with an emphasis on commercial conveyancing (including all aspects of Landlord & Tenant) and company law but also has expertise in employment, residential conveyancing, wills and litigation generally. He covers most areas of law.

His client base is varied ranging from large and small companies, sole traders, property dealers, fashion retailers, manufacturers and various business interests. He also has a large private client base and has acted for two or three generations of families.

His forté is to be able to give clients well rounded advice in a variety of situations.

Email: stephen.melzack@parkerthomas.co.uk

Franklin Leighter – Partner

Franklin Leighter trained at Trower, Still & Keeling in Lincoln’s Inn Fields and qualified as a solicitor in 1976.

Shortly thereafter he joined Clintons and was made a partner.

In 1986 he joined Stephen Melzack at Parker Thomas where they remain in partnership.

Throughout his career Franklin has dealt with a varied portfolio of commercial transactions including property matters, both commercial and residential, and private client matters including Wills and Probate.

He tries to apply a practical approach to solve complex problems.

He is a member of the Law Society Private Client section.

Email: frank.leighter@parkerthomas.co.uk

Irving Stone – Consultant

Irving joined Parker Thomas as a Consultant in 2015 after many years in private practice latterly with Philip Ross where he headed the Private Client Department for 10 years and then with Manuel Swaden.

Irving has extensive experience dealing with high net worth clients and dealing with Commercial and Residential Property matters.

He is a CEDR accredited Mediator.

He is a fluent French Speaker.

Irving’s warm, friendly and attentive approach is endorsed by the number of clients who have continued to seek his advice over more than 30 years of Practice.

Email: irving.stone@parkerthomas.co.uk

Dennis Sheridan – Consultant

Dennis, a law graduate, established D R Sheridan LLP (formerly D R Sheridan & Co) in 1986 having qualified as a solicitor in July 1977. He specialises in all aspects of private family law dealing with moderate to high net worth cases. Dennis has for a number of years been a member of the Law Society Accreditation Scheme as a Family Law Specialist and Collaborative Lawyer.

In April 2012 Dennis qualified as a Family Law Arbitrator, a position that had only commenced in February 2012, and has represented clients at arbitration hearings and also has sat as an Arbitrator.

Dennis is Honorary Solicitor to Shopmobility, Watford (Intu Shopping Mall).

Dennis is accredited with having written the first authoritative book on Family Law Arbitration which is recognised and highly acclaimed throughout the legal profession.

Memberships:

• Resolution (formerly Solicitor Family Law Association
• Law Society Family Law Accreditation Scheme
• The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Past President of the Hertfordshire Law Society

Books:

Family Law Arbitration (2nd Edition) – A Judicially Recognised Alternative to the Family Court: Buy Now

Articles:

• Family Law Arbitration Wins
• Family Law Arbitration Fast Track Available to all not just the privileged
• Life with Legal Contradictions

Email: dennis.sheridan@parkerthomas.co.uk