Meet the Team
There are many things that we think make CJJ Law stand out from other firms – we recognise that our profession is steeped in tradition, but we have progression at the heart of our ethos: we work with our clients rather than simply for them, and ensure that the service they receive is bespoke. One of the most important things about our team is how close-knit it is. We work collaboratively, sharing our experience and skills with one another.
Here, we introduce the team to give you a better idea of who we are and how our individual strengths will equip us to help you.
Stephen Fairburn
Partner
Alongside Chris, Stephen established the firm in 2005. With 40 years of experience in the industry, including 10 years as Head of Litigation at a central London firm and time spent working in the Far East for an international law firm based in Washington, there are few people more qualified to help head up a firm than Stephen.
Stephen has over 20 years’ experience in family law and regularly advises on the law relating to divorce, relationship breakdown, child related issues, pre-nuptial or cohabitation agreements.
Stephen is highly respected in the legal community – he has a mind for problem-solving, a detailed understanding of how the courts work and is trusted by his clients.
When Stephen isn’t looking after high-value litigation and family work, he is on the football field coaching a youth team. He is a qualified FA coach and has been a devoted fan of Manchester United since he was 7.
Reesha Panchal
Partner
Reesha heads up the firm’s employment team and acts for both employers and employees in all areas of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious. Reesha has expertise in advising on complex employment tribunal litigation including cases involving discrimination and whistleblowing and is valued by clients for her strategic advice.
Reesha advises on a full range of employment law and HR issues including grievances, disciplinary procedures, TUPE, dismissals, redundancies and settlement agreements.
Reesha is recognised as a skilled negotiator and is frequently instructed by senior executives; particularly by those in the banking, legal and media sectors. She is an excellent communicator and is known to go the “extra-mile” for her clients.
Reesha also accepts family law instructions and advises on divorce, civil partnership dissolutions, financial settlements and issues involving children.
Reesha undertakes marketing work for the firm and is a member of the Association of Asian Women Lawyers, the Society of Asian Lawyers, and the Employment Lawyers Association. In her spare time, Reesha enjoys spending time with her young family, travelling and attending the theatre.
Peter Refahi
Partner
Peter specialises in commercial litigation, banking (specialism in Letters of Credit) as well as debt claims including offshore trust claims and insolvency law in both the County Court and High Court. Prior to his career in law, he worked in finance, joining CJJ Law in 2012.
He has fast become a trusted point of contact for clients as well as an integral part of the firm’s success. Peter’s clients include start-ups, international banks, and off-shore trust companies. He has recently been engaged in a long standing case involving a dispute between agents over the transfer of a Premier League footballer where a successful judgment was obtained on appeal.
In his spare time Peter enjoys going to the gym, playing golf, watching his beloved Arsenal and running around after his sons.
Chris Jones
Consultant
Chris established CJJ Law in 2005. He qualified as a solicitor in 1983. He provides commercial advice on contracts and disputes. He has over has over 37 years' experience of contentious and non- contentious employment work and has helped many employers and employees.
Much of his work has an international element including providing assistance to overseas claimants recovering funds from fraudsters. Setting up and managing the firm has given him a good understanding of the commercial realities of running a business.
You can contact Chris at chris.jones@cjjlaw.co.uk.
Mark Bishop
Consultant
The number of achievements that have come along over the course of Mark’s career are significant. Mark not only spent 12 years as a Council Member with his professional body, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), he was also their President. He was also a Member of the Judicial Appointments Committee advisory panel for over 5 years before standing down in April 2024. Mark was also on the Chancery Divisions Users Committee for several years. He has also supported Human Rights Lawyers in Colombia through the Colombia Caravana and has been to Colombia on two separate occasions to assist and support his Colombian colleagues and the Rule of Law.
Mark was a long-standing partner of the firm. He is now a consultant with us. He is hugely experienced and trusted by his clients. He uses that experience and trust to achieve the best possible outcome with all our clients. He deals with all aspects of insolvency and commercial litigation for CJJ Law with absolute dedication to our clients. He has established and long-standing relationships with his clients some being clients of Mark for over 25 years.
When he isn’t working to get the best possible outcomes for his clients or engaged in his other legal interests, you’re likely to find him on a badminton court still representing his County albeit at master’s level.
You can contact Mark mark.bishop@cjjlaw.co.uk .