Meet the Team

Ceri Bater is a highly experienced solicitor with over 20 years’ qualified expertise in commercial and litigation matters. She holds a 2:1 Honours degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and achieved an LPC distinction from the University of the West of England while working as a paralegal at Morgan Cole (now Blake Morgan LLP).

Ceri completed her training contract with Rickerby Watterson Solicitors in Cheltenham before qualifying with international law firm Eversheds LLP in 2002. During her 12 years at Eversheds, she progressed to Senior Associate, specialising in insurance claims, financial services dispute resolution and professional negligence. She led a team of solicitors and paralegals acting for major high street banks, recovering damages exceeding £4m in negligence and breach of contract claims. Ceri is skilled in both group and bespoke litigation and frequently works with mediators and specialist barristers to resolve disputes efficiently and without court proceedings where possible.

Since establishing her own practice in 2014, Ceri has built a strong reputation for providing clear, practical and commercially focused advice to individuals and local businesses. She continues to support long standing and new clients across a specialist range of services, including:
• Commercial & Civil Dispute Resolution
• Contested Probate
• Debt Recovery
• Financial Services Litigation
• Professional Negligence
• Employment Law

Ceri is known for her friendly, approachable style and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients. Whether resolving a dispute, navigating a commercial challenge or providing strategic legal guidance, she offers a personalised and results driven service.

John is an experienced commercial disputes lawyer who helps clients navigate difficult situations with clarity, calm and a strong focus on results. He advises a wide range of clients but mainly acts for SMEs and individuals.

John’s approach is practical and commercially minded. He understands that disputes are time‑consuming, stressful and often personal, so his priority is always to achieve the best outcome as efficiently as possible. Many matters are resolved through early negotiation or mediation, avoiding the need for costly and protracted litigation. Where court proceedings are necessary, John has experience across all levels of the civil courts up to the Court of Appeal.

Clients value John’s ability to cut through complexity and give clear, straightforward advice. He is particularly well known for his work on high‑value and technically demanding cases, including shareholder disputes and a growing expertise in property disputes.

Above all, John is approachable and committed to understanding his clients’ objectives, risks and commercial pressures, so he can help them make informed decisions at every stage of a dispute.

Kelly-Marie graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Law in 2003 and went on to qualify as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2010.

Kelly-Marie is also a Probate Practitioner and an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer.

Kelly-Marie specialises in Wills, Probate, Administration of Estates and Powers of Attorney and has over 20 years experience in private client matters.

Kelly-Marie was a partner in McGill Brown Solicitors for 13 years until she joined Bater Watkins Brown as a director in 2024.

Kelly-Marie can assist you with:

Wills & Codicils
Estate Planning
Probate & Administration of Estates
Lasting Powers of Attorney

Elaine Richardson is a highly experienced solicitor with nearly 30 years in the legal profession, qualifying as a solicitor in 2011. Her core practice area is civil litigation, and she has built a strong and versatile skill set covering contract disputes, debt recovery, personal injury, boundary disputes, and contested probate matters. Elaine has a practical, down-to-earth approach, is a clear communicator which enables her to guide clients effectively through complex disputes with confidence and clarity.

For 17 years, Elaine worked at global law firm Eversheds Sutherland, where she played a key role in the Financial Services Dispute Resolution and Professional Negligence team. During this time, she worked closely with major financial institutions, contributing to the recovery of millions of pounds in damages. Elaine brings both depth of expertise and a warm, steady presence to her work, combining high-level technical skills with a people-focused style that clients trust.

Jo is a Law graduate and a Consultant Solicitor.

Throughout her career Jo has specialised in all aspects of Will preparation including advising in relation to Will Trusts and Inheritance Tax Planning; Probate and the Administration of Estates; Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work. Jo worked for several years as a Solicitor in London and then Yorkshire before relocating to Cardiff.

Jo worked as a Lecturer at Cardiff Law School, teaching Wills, Probate and Administration as part of the Cardiff Professional Legal Studies team and was also Course Leader and Lecturer of the undergraduate module Succession Law.

Jo is accredited by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers which evidences that she has proven expertise and specialist skills in advising older and vulnerable clients on complex issues like Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate, demonstrating empathy and tailored communication.

Jo can assist with:

Wills
Estate planning
Probate
Estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Court of Protection (Deputyship Applications, Statutory Wills)

Bethan has specialised in employment law since 1999. She qualified as an employment solicitor in 2006 after studying part time whilst working as a Legal Executive.

Bethan has experience in advising both employers and employees on all aspects of employment. Bethan has advocacy experience representing both individuals and businesses at Employment Tribunals and she regularly delivers seminars and training sessions.

Bethan has represented a large number of businesses from a wide range of sectors which has given her a wide range of experience and knowledge of different industries. She has assisted companies with issues involving long term sickness absences, all manners of discrimination, dismissals, advising and assisting with disciplinary and grievance procedures. A number of her clients have a Trade Union presence, and she therefore has experience in dealing with unions as well as dealing with the care sector and the additional safeguarding issues that are entailed.

In addition to advising businesses, Bethan also advises and represents individuals with Settlement Agreements and Employment Tribunals. She has experience in advising individuals on all areas of employment law, including TUPE, unfair dismissal, sex, race and disability discrimination.

Bethan has also lectured on the Legal Practice Course for the University of South Wales and on the CIPD Level 5 course for Trinity St Davids.

Elizabeth Jones is a qualified solicitor with over 11 years experience in civil law. She obtained her 2:1 Honours degree from the University of Glamorgan and qualified as a Barrister (non-practising) undertaking her Bar Vocational Course in London. Having practised in London and returning to South Wales, Elizabeth specialises in Private Client Law.

Elizabeth is an expert in a range of Private Client Services. From Will Drafting to Probate and Estate Administration, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. Elizabeth also acts as Professional Deputy and Attorney for clients who require that service. Elizabeth also has a weekly legal show on Radio Cardiff discussing legal matters.

Elizabeth can assist with:
- Wills
- Estate planning
- Probate
- Estate administration
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Court of Protection (Deputy, Applications, Statutory Wills)
- Trusts

Evelyn has worked for us since 2023 and provides both administrative and file handling assistance to the team. Evelyn assists with file opening, compliance checks and closing matters as well as handling lower value claims and assisting with forms and document preparation under the supervision of the solicitors and legal executives.

Kelly has worked for us since 2021 and provides assistance to the team with all administration tasks from file opening and compliance checks through to billing and closures.