About Us

At Culver Law we aim to work with you to protect and safeguard the future of your family.

Our Founding

Culver Law Ltd is a niche law firm specialising in Court of Protection services for vulnerable people, tax planning services and Wills, trusts and estate administration.

Michael Culver founded Culver Law in 2021 after gaining 15 years of experience in the field including the last 7 years as head of the multi-award-winning team at Bolt Burdon Solicitors in Islington.

Whilst Michael was head of the team, Bolt Burdon won the Court of Protection team of the year award two years running in 2019 and 2020 and won the 2019 Contentious Probate team of the year award at the British Wills and Probate Awards, was highly acclaimed for client service at the Law Society Excellence Awards in 2020 and was a finalist for the Vulnerable Client Advisory team of the year award at the Society of Trust and Estates (STEP) awards 2020. Michael was also invited to be a judge for the private client team of the year award at the 2020 STEP awards.

In 2021 Michael was voted by his peers as the Industry Champion at the British Wills and Probate Awards.

Michael Culver

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Michael is a Court of Protection panel deputy for property and affairs. He is responsible for managing the money and assets of people unable to manage such matters for themselves. Michael has also acted as a health and welfare deputy for a number of clients, making decisions for such clients over matters where they are unable to make decisions for themselves.

Michael is a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) with the Chartered Institute of Taxation, a full member of the STEP, a dementia friends champion with the Alzheimer's Society and a member of the Association of Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

Since 2008 Michael has been a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers and in January 2018 became a director before taking over as chairman in June 2020. The Association of Lifetime Lawyers is an independent members organisation of lawyers in England and Wales that specialise in late-life law and law for the vulnerable.

Michael is also the chair of the vulnerable banking group. A coalition of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, STEP, the Law Society, the Professional Deputies Forum and Estate Search whose aim is to improve banking standards for vulnerable people.

At Culver Law, we aim to work with you to protect and safeguard your family's future, be that through our tax planning services, our disaster planning services including Wills and powers of attorney, our estate administration and trust services or our Court of Protection service.

Amy Wallhead

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Amy joined Culver Law as a partner in March 2023. She advises on all aspects of non-contentious Private Client work including Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate and specialises in advising older and vulnerable clients.

As well as main stream private client work, Amy regularly advises and prepares applications for the Court of Protection, advises on care fee funding, challenging NHS funding decisions and on care home contracts. She provides advise and support to attorneys and deputies in their roles as well as advising on capacity and safeguarding issues. Additionally, she advises on and drafts Personal Injury Trusts and specialist Vulnerable Beneficiary Trusts.

Amy has a particular interest in understanding dementia and related illnesses which she uses to assist her clients to be involved in decisions relating to their affairs for as long as they are able. Amy is a Dementia Friends Ambassador and regularly provides training sessions to colleagues and contacts to help them to better understand their clients’ needs.

As well as being a full accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, she became a director in February 2023. Amy is a full STEP member and also holds the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable Clients.

More recently, Amy has started to learn British Sign Language. She has just completed her Signature Level 2 Certificate and is looking forward to starting Level 3 shortly.

Prior to joining Culver Law, Amy was listed as a Rising Star Lawyer in Legal 500.

Out of work, Amy can often be found paddle boarding on the local rivers or spending time with friends and family.

Poki Wratten

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Poki is a partner at Culver Law and has extensive experience in complex and high net worth Court of Protection matters, having worked for numerous deputies, including four listed at the Court's panel of deputies.

Poki previously worked at a Top 200 firm within their Court of Protection department, where she qualified as a chartered legal executive in September 2018, and cross qualified as a solicitor in June 2019. Prior to that, Poki worked at a Top 25 firm, specialising in vulnerable client Court of Protection work.

Poki is a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, a member of COPPA, an associate member of STEP, a member of the Law Society Private Client section, member of the Professional Deputies Forum (PDF), as well as being a Dementia friend.

In July 2022, Poki was a recipient of a Worldwide Excellence Award from STEP for her distinction grade achieved for the course - STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable Clients.

Poki is passionate about working in an area of law where she is looking after clients who don't have the capacity to manage their own affairs. She is currently completing her STEP Diploma in Advising Vulnerable clients which is due to complete in 2025.

Outside of work Poki enjoys comedy writing, travelling, photography and baking.

Bridget Shinnick

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Bridget is a Solicitor (Australian Qualified) at Culver Law, having joined the firm in April 2024.

She obtained a Bachelor of Law and Legal Practice Degree in Australia in 2018, and then commenced her career as a solicitor in a top-tier Australian law firm. She specialises in Private Client work and Contentious-Probate matters, including Inheritance Act claims, challenges to the validity of Wills, and Executor and Beneficiary disputes.

Bridget understands that she works in a sensitive area of law, and therefore always undertakes her work with compassion and empathy. Prior to joining Culver Law, Bridget was listed as a 2024 Rising Star in Wills and Estates Law in Doyles Guide (Australia’s equivalent of the Legal 500).

Outside of work, Bridget enjoys watching Australian Rules Football, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Rhiannon Jones

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Rhiannon is a Solicitor at Culver Law, having joined the firm in July 2024.

Rhiannon has considerable experience in complex Court of Protection matters, having worked with numerous panel deputies. Rhiannon is passionate about working with vulnerable clients, supporting them to make decisions regarding their property and finances.

Rhiannon has experience in a wide-array of property and affairs matters, including high-value personal injury awards, oversees assets, and complex litigation.

Prior to joining Culver Law, Rhiannon worked at a Legal 500 firm in their Court of Protection department.

Rhiannon completed an LLB in Law at the University of Manchester. Following this, Rhiannon completed a master’s degree in Health Care Ethics and Law, graduating with Distinction.

Outside of work Rhiannon enjoys fitness, art and travelling.

Rebecca De Winter

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Rebecca is a Solicitor at Culver Law, having joined the firm in August 2024.

Rebecca is passionate about working within Court of Protection law. Rebecca has a particular interest in helping support vulnerable clients with Special Educational Needs and brain injuries.

Rebecca has experience in a wide range of property and affairs matters, including those with complex care packages and high-value personal injury awards. She deals with all matters with empathy and compassion.

Prior to becoming a solicitor Rebecca work for a decade as a biologist in a large biotechnology company. To satisfy a long-held passion for the law, Rebecca undertook a carer change. Rebecca completed a Graduate Law Diploma at the University of East Anglia for which she was awarded a Distinction. Following this, Rebecca undertook her Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice Course at BPP in Cambridge, graduating with Distinction.

Outside of work Rebecca enjoys skiing, baking, traveling and spending time with her family.

Holly Turner

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Holly is a Case Manager at Culver Law having joined the firm in February 2022. She started her career working in personal injury law, before moving into international contract law, and then Court of Protection work at a leading national firm in the West Country. She specialises in applications to the Court of Protection and other matters relating to the management of the property and financial affairs of mentally incapacitated persons. She also has experience dealing with clients’ properties overseas.

Her main strengths are her empathy and ability to explain things in an understandable manner. She enjoys a high level of client interaction whether via telephone, email or face to face. Holly strives to build long term relationships with clients and families with the aim to get to know them and their needs in order to assist in any way possible.

Holly is an affiliate of CILEx and is working towards qualification as a Legal Executive.

She grew up in France and is bilingual in English and French. In her free time, she enjoys sailing, visiting art galleries and yoga.

Sophie Westgarth

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Sophie Westgarth is a Case Manager at Culver Law, having joined the firm in September 2023.

She obtained a History Degree from the University of Southampton and has completed her Conversion Course in Law and is now currently studying the SQE.

Prior to this, Sophie worked as a Paralegal at a law firm in Essex in the Private Client and Court of Protection Department. Her main strengths include her compassion for clients and her ability to solve problems as they arise.

Outside of work, Sophie enjoys socialising with friends and family, travelling and watching the Formula 1 on the weekends.

Devon Brown

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Devon is an Office Administrator at Culver Law, having joined the firm in September 2023.

She obtained a History Degree from the University of Bristol and has completed a Master’s Degree in Law and hopes to commence the Solicitor Apprenticeship in September 2024.

Prior to this, Devon worked as a Healthcare Assistant for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. Her deep understanding of empathetic and compassionate care supports her ability to form meaningful connections with clients.

Outside of work, Devon enjoys socialising with friends and family, long distance running and attending fitness classes.

Kieran Schmidt-Das

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Kieran is an Office Administrator at Culver Law, having joined the firm in October 2023. He is studying in his final year of the accelerated Law degree at the University of Law and hopes to commence the SQE in September 2024.

Prior to this, Kieran worked as the assistant manager at the Fentiman Arms. His main strengths are his structured approach to problem solving and his ability to connect with and understand clients.

Outside of work, Kieran enjoys climbing with friends, exploring new places on his bicycle or reading the news.

David Newing

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David Newing is a Finance Manager at Culver Law having joined the firm in October 2023.

David started his legal accountancy career with a firm of solicitors local to where he lives having progressed his way up from office junior. In later years he has worked for a couple of large accountancy firms, a large London firm of solicitors before re-joining the firm where it all started from as accounts manager where he was employed for 19 years before leaving in 2023.

Outside of work he enjoys travelling, socialising with family and friends. He also coaches a grassroots football team in his spare time.

Tanisha Siddiqah

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Tanisha is an Apprentice Paralegal at Culver Law, having joined the firm in October 2023.

She has just completed her A-Levels and has decided to follow the apprenticeship route to qualification rather than to attend university as she is committed to continuing her education alongside gaining practical work experience. She hopes to commence the Solicitor Apprenticeship in September 2024.

Prior to this, Tanisha volunteered at a local youth Centre and started her own businesses selling bespoke artwork. Tanisha’s strong interpersonal skills and experience working closely with her customers and in a team has strengthened her ability to build rapport and connect with clients in a meaningful way.

Outside of work, Tanisha enjoys socialising with friends and family, content creating for social media and creating art.

Leanne Tennyson

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Leanne is a Legal Assistant at Culver Law, having joined the firm in March 2024. She started her career as a Legal Secretary at a law firm in Bedfordshire, and then onto a top-tier London law firm in their Private Client department, where she worked for many years. She specialises in preparing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and assisting with the administration of estates and trusts.

Leanne’s main strengths are her ability to connect with clients along with a strong attention to detail.

Outside of work, Leanne loves spending time with family and friends, and chilling with a good book!

Emilia Pacia

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Emilia is a Legal Assistant at Culver Law, having joined the firm in June 2024. She has just completed her law degree at the University of York, and in 2022 graduated with a Sociology degree at York. She is keen to commence the Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship in January 2025.

Prior to this, whilst still a school student, Emilia regularly visited nursing homes, as well as participating in and organising events to raise money for different charitable causes. Therefore, her key strengths are communication and empathy which she brings forward in her role as a legal assistant.

Outside of work, Emilia enjoys running, skiing, travelling around the world, and spending time with friends and family.

Michael Campbell

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Michael, an American native, is an Office Assistant at Culver Law, having joined the firm in August of 2024. He has completed his law degree at the University of York, and a few other degrees back home in a variety of subjects. Currently, Michael is enrolled at the University of London Queen Mary for a Master’s in Investment and Finance where he is focusing on a Tax specialisation. After completion of this program, Michael is eager to begin the Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship here at Culver Law.

Outside of work, Michael is an avid traveller, a professionally trained organist, and enjoys baking for his friends and family.

Emily Helliwell

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Emily is a Legal Assistant and Manager of the Advisors for the Deaf Network at Culver Law, having joined the firm in September 2024.

She obtained a History and English Degree from Queen Mary, University of London and is currently studying the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford.

Prior to this, Emily spent five years working with vulnerable Deaf children and adults as a communication support worker and accessible content creator. Emily is a CODA and is bilingual in English and British Sign Language.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys learning languages and attending rock and metal concerts.

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