CooperBurnett LLP

THE FIRM

Over more than 40 years, CooperBurnett LLP has built an enviable reputation across Tunbridge Wells, the South East and beyond for its legal knowledge and expertise. The firm prides itself on providing an exceptionally high level of service to every single client. CooperBurnett is focused on establishing long-term relationships with its clients, built around not just high levels of service, but excellent communication too. Clients are supported by the same lawyer throughout, which helps to build exceptional trust and a long-term relationship.

COMMUNITY

CooperBurnett is very much part of both the business landscape and the local community. Partner Joseph Oates is an active member of the board of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together Business Improvement District, a role he shares with Partner Victoria Sampson.

‍Partners Victoria Sampson, Katie Gillam and John Spence have all held the role of President of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society, while Victoria was President of West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry on two occasions. After the demise of the Chamber in 2020, Victoria joined with two other Tunbridge Wells-based business owners to launch enTWine, a business forum for the town, which has recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.

CooperBurnett sponsored the Large Business Award as part of both the Tunbridge Wells Business Awards 2025 and the Tonbridge Business Awards 2025.

The firm has an active charity committee – Senior Associate Katie Hilsdon, Associate Solicitor Ayla Clissold and Partner Lisa Connolly – and supports a charity of choice for a two-year period; this is currently Jigsaw (South East), which works with children and young people before, during and after bereavement. In June 2025, TeamCB walked ten marathons in a single day as part of the CB Charity Coastal Challenge for Jigsaw South East. This raised £10,000 - a figure which was pound matched by the firm's equity partners, resulting in £20,000 heading to the charity.

Partner Gemma Gillespie volunteers for Citizens Advice Tunbridge Wells & District, while she and Associate Solicitor Melissa Gire support DAVSS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service). In both cases, they offer free guidance sessions on family matters.

The firm is officially recognised by Kent County Council as a Dementia Friendly Business, the first in Tunbridge Wells to achieve this status; and Associate Solicitor, Katie Hancock, is a Dementia Friends Ambassador.

CooperBurnett has supported the Walk Tonbridge Festival since its inception in 2021, which encourages the community to get outside to enjoy Tonbridge and its surroundings. In September 2025, this event raised an amazing £19,305 for charity, with £10,740 heading to the Tonbridge food bank, Sustain, based at Tonbridge Baptist Church.

Recently, Partner Katie Gillam from our Private Client team has been providing free monthly legal clinics for older people locally, in conjunction with Age UK Tunbridge Wells.

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK

CooperBurnett works closely with both business and private clients, and boasts expertise in industry sectors including construction, care homes, charities, planning and education.

CooperBurnett’s Corporate and Commercial team deals with enterprises at every stage of their lifecycle, providing advice to entrepreneurs looking to launch their new ventures to business owners considering a sale, acquisition or merger. The firm excels on supporting business and employers with employment, insolvency and contested issues advice.

CooperBurnett works with private clients at every stage of their life, through good times and bad, helping them buy their first home (CooperBurnett was one of the very first firms in the UK to be awarded the Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation by The Law Society), providing specialist tax planning, preparing Wills, and supporting them through family issues.

CLIENTS

CooperBurnett acts for all types of businesses across a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing and supply, professional services, education and healthcare. The firm works closely with its private clients – some of whom have been clients for more than 40 years. They have remained loyal – and recommended CooperBurnett to others - because of the firm’s caring and professional approach.

PEOPLE

At the heart of CooperBurnett are its people and it has a ‘3P Plan’ – where the first two Ps simply stand for people and people! The firm promotes an inclusive culture, flat structure and training opportunities and it boasts a number of team members who have been with the firm for more than 30 years. Victoria Sampson and Joseph Oates, who co-lead the firm, have both been part of TeamCB for more than 25 years.

Over recent years,CooperBurnett has recently welcomed some key Partner hires – including Russell Brinkhurst in the Corporate and Commercial team; Oliver Bussell, who boasts wide experience in Planning, including working in-house at Kent County Council; David Brown, who brought with him extensive knowledge of the Construction sector; and, more recently, Anna Dunn, in Residential Property. These Partners were joined by internal promotions - Lisa Connolly and Glen Webb in Residential Property.

Across the firm, growing and developing the team is absolutely key. CooperBurnett recently awarded training contracts to a number of aspiring lawyers, while it continues support recently qualified lawyers. CooperBurnett also has successful apprenticeship and work experience schemes in place and recently launched a mentoring programme.