Bates Wells and Braithwaite Sudbury have a dedicated team with extensive experience and knowledge in their respective fields. Alongside our hard work ethic our ethos is to provide excellent client service which has been recognised across all of our areas of expertise.
To find out more about any of our members of staff, please select a department from the list provided;
AGRICULTURE & COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Robert Sainsbury
Director
Robert is the firm’s agricultural and commercial property solicitor. He joined Bates Wells & Braithwaite in 2003 having worked in East Anglia since qualifying as a solicitor in 1984.
Robert has many years’ experience of agricultural and commercial property work both freehold sales and purchases and the grant and taking of leases, options, promotional and overage agreements. He has given the Cambridge Law Society’s Agricultural Law up-date seminar in recent years.
In his spare time Robert spends a lot of time with his family, enjoys badminton and tennis and plays an active role within St Mary’s Church Bury St Edmunds.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Tim Parsons
Tim joined Bates Wells & Braithwaite in 2017 as a commercial litigation solicitor.
Tim completed his legal training in Norwich, before specialising in commercial litigation at an East Coast firm, where he represented commercial clients and individuals across East Anglia in a wide range of disputes. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor in 1993, Tim worked for a large multinational accountancy practice.
Away from the office, Tim enjoys golf and playing and watching most sports.
T: 01787 880440 | E: TimParsons@bwblegal.com
EMPLOYMENT/COMPANY
Monika Sargeant
Director
Monika worked for Bates Wells and Braithwaite from 2020 until 2022 leaving to join a specialist employment advisory firm, she returned on 1 of April 2025 as a Director.
Monika specialises in employment and company commercial law.
Monika has advised her Clients on various matters ranging from simple contractual issues to highly complex restructure of the Company’s capital.
In her employment capacity Monika has assisted her Clients in various contentious and non contentious matters including change of terms of employment, redundancies, unfair dismissal claims and sex/maternity discrimination claims.
Monika lives locally with her young family and enjoys traveling.
FAMILY
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca joined Bates Wells and Braithwaite in February 2019. Rebecca initially qualified as a legal executive and later as a solicitor. She has over twenty years’ experience in a wide range of family disputes having previously trained and worked as a family solicitor in Bury St Edmunds.
Rebecca is a member of Resolution.
In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys horse-riding, walking and cooking with family and friends.
PERSONAL INJURY
Mark Heselden
Director
Mark obtained a Masters Degree in international commercial law and after working with the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and then a City firm he joined Bates Wells & Braithwaite in 1993.
He is the Managing Director and specialises in personal injury litigation. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and formerly ran the East Anglian regional branch of APIL. He also acts as an executor and trustee where there is conflict among trusts and estates.
A former parish councillor and school governor, Mark spends most of his spare time in the local area though does often travel to Switzerland where his son lives.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Lorraine Moser
Consultant Solicitor
Lorraine joined the firm in 1997 as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and after qualifying as a solicitor in 2003 was appointed Head of the Residential Property Department. Lorraine retired in April 2025 and is currently operating in capacity as a Consultant Solicitor to the firm dealing with residential conveyancing matters.
She deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing.
Away from work, Lorraine, who lives locally with her husband, enjoys an active life and her interests include hiking, canoeing, skiing, motorcycling and horse riding.
WILLS TRUSTS AND PROBATE
Glenn Blair
Director
Glenn joined Bates Wells & Braithwaite in 2009 and gained experience across the firm before qualifying as a solicitor in November 2015. He has a law degree from the University of East Anglia and took the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, London.
As of May 2020 Glenn was appointed as a Director of the firm and Head of the Private Client Department dealing with wills, powers of attorney and administration of estates including providing advice on inheritance tax, estate planning and trusts matters.
Glenn is also an Accredited Lifetime Lawyer (used to be called Solicitors for the Elderly) making him one of the most qualified solicitors in the country supporting vulnerable and older people.
Glenn lives locally with his young family and takes a keen interest in watching and playing various sports and is a long-term season ticket holder at Colchester United.
T: 01787 880440 | E: GlennBlair@bwblegal.com
Emily Griggs
Emily began her career at Bates Wells & Braithwaite in September 2016 as an Apprentice following which she successfully completed training as a legal secretary and PA within the Private Client Department.
She has subsequently completed examinations qualifying as a Probate Practitioner in July 2023.
Emily is able to deal with various aspects of Private Client work such as Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Administration.
In her spare time, she is a keen baker and enjoys hiking in the Suffolk countryside, as well as spending time with her loved ones.
T: 01787 880440 | E: EmilyGriggs@bwblegal.com
Rebecca Stone
Rebecca began her legal journey after sixth form, choosing to pursue law through CILEx’s online program. While continuing her studies, she gained practical experience working at local law firms. In 2021, Rebecca achieved her qualification as a Fellow Chartered Legal Executive.
Looking forward, she is currently undertaking the SQE apprenticeship with the goal of qualifying as a Solicitor in the future.
In addition to her career, Rebecca is a dedicated mental health advocate and Mental Health First Aider, volunteering with Heads2Minds charity. She is also a proud Dementia Friend, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting others.
Originally from the coast, Rebecca now enjoys the peaceful countryside, relishing fresh air and paddleboarding on nearby rivers. A passionate outdoor enthusiast and keen traveller, she had already explored 30 countries by her 30th birthday. Much of her spare time is spent outside whether its hiking in the Rockies, snowboarding in the Alps, or camping around the UK. On weekends though, you might catch her at a West End show!
T: 01787 880440 | E: RStone@bwblegal.com