PARTNERS AND PEOPLE

Summary of Work
Undertakes all types of property work, landlord & tenant matters, and general private client work with particular expertise in the field of leasehold enfranchisement where he is a recognised expert and in demand as a speaker.

Skills and approach
Graham brings people together and facilitates deals in a manner that goes beyond the remit of conventional property lawyers. He likes to think “out of the box” and achieves solutions to problems which to others may seem impossible.

Graham's tenacity, and his ability to communicate and lead, are attributes which contribute greatly to his success in encouraging tenants to take charge of the property they live in, negotiate a fair price with the landlord, and carrying the matter forward to completion. One of his clients described Graham as “the rotweiler of choice!”

Graham has an excellent track record for achieving his clients’ aims but above all is pragmatic and is realistic about what can be achieved. He also takes into account commercial realities, speed, the cost of time and the stress which can be involved in legal processes.

STEPHEN CROSSICK – Solicitor/Partner
Residential Property, Commercial Property and Enfranchisement

Career
Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 1972.  He formed his own practice Freedman Crossick in 1990 and remained there until he joined Steven Porter to form Porter Crossick in 1996.  He is one of the founding members of Jaffe Porter Crossick LLP.

Summary of Work
Throughout his career Stephen has dealt with all aspects of commercial and residential property and latterly leasehold enfranchisement

Skills and Approach
Stephen has a sharp legal brain and is quick to identify problems and pitfalls of matters brought to him.  With his affable personality Stephen is well liked by his clients who feel comfortable talking about any aspect of their matters with him.  Stephen has built up a significant clientele who value Stephen’s honesty, integrity and hard work.

STEVEN PORTER – Solicitor/Partner
Commercial Property

Career
Steven qualified as a solicitor in 1979.  In 1996 having previously run his own practice he joined forces with Stephen Crossick to form Porter Crossick where he remained joint senior partner before the creation of Jaffe Porter Crossick LLP of which he is a founder member.

Steven has had a varied career in the law.  On qualification he was ostensibly a litigator but shortly after becoming a solicitor switched to dealing with primarily property matters and in particular conveyancing.  For many years he has dealt primarily with commercial property whilst still retaining an interest in property litigation and in particular dilapidation disputes and Landlord & Tenant matters. 

Along the way he has dealt with a variety of businesses most notably restaurants, shops and light and heavy industry.

In addition Steven has also developed a specialism in Housing Association work and has drafted the standard documentation used by a number of large high profile registered social Landlords particularly in the Development and Leasing department. 

Steven heads our Commercial Property Department.

Skills and Approach
Steven is approachable and likes to take a positive view to his work.  Where there is a problem he will take a pragmatic approach.  He understands that each client is different and he prides himself on being able to adapt himself to the needs and requirements of each client.

KEITH MAYNARD - Solicitor/Partner
Matrimonial, Civil Litigation, Employment

Career
Keith qualified as a solicitor in 1979 and joined Roiter Zucker in 1990 where he was head of its litigation department from 1990 to 2007 until he left to join Jaffe Porter Crossick LLP at the end of 2007.

Summary of work
Keith has extensive experience of commercial litigation dealing with high value cases as well as international disputes and complex property litigation.

He also has nearly 30 years experience in matrimonial law specialising in high value ancillary relief cases where he is used to negotiating large family settlements and where necessary pursuing litigation. Keith also has many years experience in landlord and tenant law.

Skills and approach
Dealing with disputes can be difficult, time consuming and expensive. Keith's approach is to cut through issues, identifying what is most important, and wherever possible bringing people together to resolve matters through dialogue.

Where it is essential to resort to litigation, Keith is proactive and resourceful, invariably one step ahead. He makes use of the tools of modern litigation to avoid protracted and expensive procedures.

Litigation can be stressful. Keith helps clients make the right choices in situations where emotions might cloud the issues. This can be especially valuable in matrimonial cases.          

Career
Geoffrey was admitted as an attorney in Natal, South Africa in 1973. He practised as a director of a prominent law firm in Durban until July 1990. That year he and his family immigrated to England where he held the position of Operations Director in a large manufacturing organisation for some two years. Following his foray into the commercial world, he joined a public company as its in-house counsel, a position he held until joining Roiter Zucker in 1994; he left to join Jaffe Porter Crossick LLP at the end of 2007.  He was admitted as solicitor in England and Wales in 1998.

Summary of Work
Since joining Jaffe Porter Crossick Geoffrey continues to specialise in estate planning, wills, trusts and non-contentious probate. His commercial background is invaluable. Many of Geoffrey's clients have a commercial background and he has a broad understanding of those areas of law which concern them as they plan their own future.

Skills and approach
In preparing wills Geoffrey helps his clients to clarify their ideas, making them aware of possibilities, which may not have occurred to them. The expertise he employs in structuring wills involves not only knowledge of the law of wills but of the law of property, trusts, tax and other subjects.

Geoffrey is thorough clear and methodical. He covers all bases. Planning a will, contemplating death, and administering estates are important, and sometimes stressful and emotional, experiences. In administering an estate Geoffrey puts his clients at ease - he understands what is involved and is supportive and effective, getting things done in an organised and purposeful manner, which is reassuring and leaves his clients free to deal with other areas of their lives.

DEREK  PAYNE - Solicitor/Partner
Property

Career
Derek graduated from Keele University and qualified as a solicitor in 2000.  He joined Roiter Zucker from Leeds firm Gordons in 2002.  He left to join Jaffe Porter Crossick LLP at the end of 2007.

Summary of Work
Derek principally handles conveyancing of residential and commercial properties, acting for clients ranging from the most demanding property developer to the first time buyer.

Skills and approach
Jaffe Porter Crossick’s property department is very highly regarded, handling a broad variety of property work, which is often of a difficult nature.  Derek is used to handling complex transactions under tight deadlines.  Such transactions often involve overseas purchasers and offshore companies.

It is important to Derek that his clients understand every stage of the transactions with which they are involved, and he makes sure that they are fully informed, at each stage of work.    Derek is personable, and interacts well with others.   His ability to liaise with others in stressful situations helps in securing clients’ ends

SURINA COHEN  - Solicitor/Partner
Commercial Property

Career
Surina trained as a solicitor at Porter Crossick and on qualifying was retained as a assistant solicitor having qualified in 2005.  In February 2007 Surina left to join Harbottle & Lewis in the West End but such was the gap left at Porter Crossick by her departure that Steven Porter and Stephen Crossick headhunted her back in November 2007!  Surina is a partner within the Commercial Property Department.

Summary of Work
Surina’s main area of work is commercial property which includes buying, selling, leasing and all other aspects of commercial property.

Skills and Approach
Surina has an attractive personality and is well like by all her clients.  Even though she has been qualified for a short period of time she has already built up her own clientele.  She is extremely hardworking and conscientious and will always go the extra mile to ensure that her clients’ interests are being properly looked after.

ARYEH KRAMER – Solicitor/Partner
Commercial/Tax Litigation

Career
Aryeh qualified in 2002 as a solicitor.  He formed his own practice of Kramer & Co in 2006 dealing exclusively with all aspects of commercial litigation.

Aryeh joined JPC as a partner on 29th September 2009.

Summary of work
Aryeh specialises in commercial litigation.  His area of expertise covers a wide range of commercial cases but in particular he deals with cases involving tax, contract disputes, professional negligence and company and shareholder disputes.

Skills and approach
Aryeh has a vibrant commercial mind and will always look at not only the legal strengths and weaknesses of the matters he deals with but, most importantly, their commercial viability.  He is very conscious of the need to conduct a cases as economically as possible but without compromising the high standards of expertise required.  Aryeh has qualified with Higher Rights of Audience in the civil courts and is a highly competent advocate.

Personal
Aryeh is married and has 5 children.  With his business and personal commitments he has little time for relaxation but, nevertheless, when he can find the time Aryeh enjoys cricket and travel.