“Jonathan Goodwin is an extremely skilled solicitor advocate. I cannot recommend him highly enough. I greatly admire the work he does in defending solicitors. He knows everything about the SRA and SDT inside out.
He is also a very nice man, softly spoken, and easy to talk to about life’s difficulties.
I was very fortunate to find him when I suddenly found myself needing expert regulatory representation. Thankfully, he agreed to represent me in an investigation by the SRA that lasted 2 years and 3 months. Jonathan made representations on my behalf to the SRA at the beginning of the investigation. The representations were detailed, superbly written and covered all relevant aspects of the matter from the outset.
I waited for 17 months after the initial representations were made, hoping and praying that the case would be closed soon, and then, to my disbelief and despair, I was served a notice with evidence from the Investigating Officer with a potential recommendation of referral to the SDT. I felt that I was no longer just defending a small incident that happened at work, I was now defending my whole life and my desire to continue to exist. I felt I was being tortured.
Jonathan drafted a notice against this potential referral to the SDT with an exacting analysis of the evidence and applying the appropriate law to the matter. It was complicated, but Jonathan made it concise, easy to read and understand. The ADM nevertheless made a referral to the SDT, which I found extremely upsetting. I just could not accept a STD hearing would be necessary. I was very frightened.
2 months later, the solicitors for the SRA called Jonathan and after their conversation, the SRA solicitors decided to have another look at the matter. It seemed that I could be a bit more optimistic that the matter could close at this point. Another 7 weeks later the SRA got in contact with Jonathan to say that the Head of Legal at the SRA had assessed the matter again and decided the referral to the SDT was materially flawed. Jonathan’s assessment of the matter was correct and the matter closed with no further action.
I was obviously over the moon with relief. I could not stop crying tears of happiness for quite a few hours. I could laugh and be joyful for the first in a long time. The torture was finally over after 2 years and 3 months.
Jonathan was brilliant at guiding me through the various stages of the process of the investigation from the beginning to the end. I was a bag of nerves and very emotionally distressed by the incident and circumstances which gave rise to the investigation. The entire time of the investigation I felt very restless, claustrophobic and boxed in. I found it difficult to accept my loss of agency during this time. Jonathan completely understood how I felt.
What I did know was that I had the best representation I could ever get in Jonathan Goodwin.
It is important that solicitors accept that being on the roll of solicitors is a lifelong commitment to its responsibilities.
I have learnt so much from Jonathan Goodwin. I will be grateful to him for the rest of my life.”
Solicitor