Our People
Sam Hawking
Based in Port Talbot – sam@samhawking.co.uk
Sam Hawking has a real passion for property. He first became a landlord in 1999 after working in the construction industry for 3 years. Sam studied Economics at Swansea University and wrote his masters dissertation on the house price ripple effect.
Sam qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2003 before proceeding to work for a firm of London Solicitors, specialising in residential and commercial property. He established Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2006 with the ethos of providing the best service possible and this remains his commitment today. Sam focuses on using his legal knowledge and practical experience to find solutions for property investors and developers and anyone with a property related legal issue.
Sam has a large portfolio of both residential and commercial property using a variety of investment strategies, owned a letting agency, and is Director of Life Property Group Ltd who develop new build properties as well as conversions.
Sam is also Director of the Society for Licensed Conveyancers and Board member of the Conveyancing Association.
Sam is married to Sonia and has two daughters, Efanna and Bronessa. He keeps fit, usually cycling or running to and from the office and is always up for a physical challenge such as fell running, triathlons and sea rowing. Sam won the Likey 6633 Ultra, a 353 mile continuous running race in the Arctic, often touted as the toughest race in the world, and for which he raised £15,000 for Wales Air Ambulance.
Charlene Jenkins – Solicitor / Director of Operations
Based at Cross Hands – charlene@samhawking.co.uk
Charlene joined the firm in April 2010 as a Property Law specialist. Charlene became a Director in March 2011 and now takes on the role of Director of Operations. As an expert in Property Law, Charlene continues to act for private property developers, investors, residential and commercial clients. Charlene has a vast range of clients from all over the world.
Charlene was born in Reading but moved to West Wales at a young age. Charlene undertook her degree in Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd and qualified as a Solicitor in June 2007.
Charlene lives in Crosshands with her husband and three children. Charlene is a welsh speaker. She enjoys singing, socialising with friends and spending time with her family.
James Borland – Solicitor / Director
Based at Port Talbot – james@samhawking.co.uk
James graduated with a Law Degree LLB (Hons) 2:1 in 2005 and then completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Wales, Swansea in 2007.
James trained and qualified at a high street practice in Mid-Wales before joining Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2010. James became a Director of Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2013.
James specialises in all aspects of Residential and Commercial Property as well as specialising in all areas of Private Client work, including the drafting of Wills and Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Administration of Estates and Court of Protection matters.
James lives in Swansea with his wife, Natasha, and sons, Aaron and Dylan. James enjoys travelling, music, football and is a keen Everton supporter.
Lisa Jones – Solicitor / Director
Based at Port Talbot – lisa@samhawking.co.uk
Lisa graduated with a Law Degree LLB (Hons) 2:1 in 2002 at the University of Wales, Swansea before going on to complete the Legal Practice Course at University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd.
Lisa worked at a large Cardiff Law Firm for 2 years before moving to a high street practice in Swansea and qualified in 2008. She joined Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in February 2016 following a career break to raise her family. Lisa became a Director of Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2019.
Lisa specialises in all aspects of residential conveyancing together with areas of private client work including Landlord and Tenant, drafting of Wills and Trusts and also administration of Estates.
Lisa lives in Port Talbot with her husband and two daughters. Outside of work Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, socialising and travelling.
Bethan Walters – Solicitor / Director
Based at Port Talbot – bethan@samhawking.co.uk
Bethan graduated with a Law Degree LLB (Hons) 2:1 in 2004 at the University of Wales, Swansea, before going on to complete the Legal Practice Course at the University of the West of England, Bristol in 2005.
Bethan trained and qualified at a high street practice in Llanelli in 2009 before joining Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2015. Bethan became a Director of Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2019.
Bethan specialises in Option Agreements, Rent to Buy and Assisted Sales together with areas of private client work.
In her spare time Bethan enjoys socialising with friends and has a real passion for music.
Sophie Ward Bennett – Solicitor
Based in Cross Hands – sophie@samhawking.co.uk
Sophie joined Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in March 2018 as a trainee solicitor after working as a paralegal and a trainee solicitor in a high street firm in Carmarthen. She graduated with a Law Degree LLB (Hons) in 2015 and then completed the Legal Practice Course at Swansea University in 2017.
Sophie qualified in February 2021 and is based in our Cross Hands office. She lives in Cross Hands with her partner and daughter and is a fluent Welsh speaker.
In her spare time Sophie enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Kate Cursons – FCILex
Based at Port Talbot – kate@samhawking.co.uk
Kate joined Sam Hawking Property Lawyers in 2014 and has worked in Conveyancing for over 20 years.
Kate is a fully qualified Fellow Member of CILex.
Kate is a married mother of three children and enjoys walking, caravan holidays and socialising with family and friends.
Emily Mogford
Based in Port Talbot– emily@samhawking.co.uk
Emily attended Swansea University to complete her Law degree in 2014 and the Legal Practice Course in 2015. Emily had 3 years’ experience working in conveyancing for local firms before joining us in June 2020 as a Trainee Solicitor. In 2021 Emily became a fully qualified Solicitor and is now based in our Port Talbot Offices. Emily lives in the Neath area with her husband Jason, her year-old daughter Margo and her 2 pugs Delilah and Doris. In her free time, she enjoys attending her local Iron maiden’s fitness classes a couple of times a week and days out with her family and friends.
Rhodri Davies – Solicitor
Based at Cross Hands – rhodri@samhawking.co.uk
Rhodri joined Sam Hawking Property Lawyers as a trainee in September 2021. He completed the first half of his training contract with a Swansea firm, and has also worked as a paralegal at top 100 UK law firm in Cardiff, whilst studying law on a part-time basis. Having previously graduated from Cardiff University Business School with a degree in Accounting & Finance, Rhodri decided to switch to pursuing a career in law in 2016 and went on to complete his legal studies at Cardiff University Law School.
Brought up in the Amman Valley, Rhodri is a fluent Welsh speaker and is equally comfortable assisting clients in both Welsh and English.
Away from the office, Rhodri is an active sportsman. He keeps fit by taking part in as many local Parkrun’s as he can throughout the year and has previously represented Cricket Wales at junior level. During the summer months, Rhodri now plays for Ammanford Cricket Club in the South Wales Premier Cricket League and is proud to have helped his hometown club win the Cricket Wales Cup in 2018.