Olliers Solicitors expands pre-charge team

Criminal defence firm Olliers Solicitors has announced the strategic appointment of three solicitors, Anna Ford as senior associate, Justyna Blazewicz as associate, and Olivia Saul as associate, in response to a period of rapid growth. These new additions are set to strengthen the firm’s capabilities in serious crime and pre-charge representation, offering the necessary capacity and experience required to support its increasing client base.

Anna Ford joins Olliers with an impressive 14 years of experience dealing with serious and complex crime, including 10 years post-qualification experience. Previously, she was at Shearman Bowen & Co in London, where she successfully handled high-profile and sensitive cases, notably the first prosecution for breach of the Russia (Sanctions) Regulations. In her new role, Anna, who is fluent in Russian, will take on a combination of pre-charge and post-charge work. Recognised as a Rising Star in 2024 and ranked as an Associate to Watch in Chambers and Partners 2027, she has been described as "a strategist who can immediately dissect a case to its core."

Justyna Blazewicz comes to Olliers from a leading Manchester firm, where she served almost seven years as an assistant solicitor. She qualified in 2017 after working across various legal fields such as criminal, family, and immigration law at IMD Solicitors. At Olliers, Justyna will engage in the firm’s internal pre-charge accreditation programme, further honing her expertise in a key area of the firm's criminal defence approach.

Olivia Saul brings experience from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), where she trained and qualified, most recently serving as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in its Magistrates Review Team. Having completed a secondment with Olliers during her training contract, Olivia will handle a diverse portfolio of criminal work, addressing cases in the police station, pre-charge, magistrates' court, and Crown Court settings.

Ruth Peters, Business Development Director, commented on the appointments by saying, "Each of these appointments adds something different, from a former prosecutor's view of how cases are built to Anna's experience of the most complex serious crime. Early, strategic advice is central to how we work and these appointments give us more people to deliver it for clients at every stage."

These strategic hires mark a significant move for Olliers Solicitors, which has continually developed a strong reputation for providing specialist criminal defence services.