Josephine Jordan-Fisher BA(Hons)

Hard to believe now, but female solicitors were once very much in a minority. As one of this early breed, Jo's route to qualification was that of Law Society examinations and a period of 'Articles' in London, and was admitted to the profession in 1973. Although launching a travelling career, she managed to keep up with matters legal by undertaking locum work, eventually winding up in Suffolk with her husband-to-be, Nick, who comes from the area (although they met in Africa).

Initially, Jo undertook the broad spectrum of work required of most general practice lawyers before specialization became the norm; matrimonial, representing clients in civil and criminal courts, wills, trusts & probates, property transactions etc.

She joined Cross Ram & Co as a five week stand-in but, to her surprise, became something of a fixture! Although her outside interests lured her away from the office from time to time, she became the firm's expert in the field of commercial property – covering Sales and Acquisitions, Landlord & Tenant and Pub Licensing - as well as assisting with private house sales and purchases, something that requires empathy as well as technical skill. (In the meantime, managing to acquire a BA First Class Honours at the Open University).

After 25 years at Cross Ram & Co., latterly as Jonathan Margarson's business partner, Jo took a back seat and 'retired', although her background knowledge of long-standing clients is invaluable in her continuing role as consultant to the practice. However, most of her time is now spent running the award-winning Belle Grove - www.belle-grove.com and writing. Her new book, African Approaches: roads to a far-off place, is to be published in early 2012.

Jo and Nick have one grown up son who currently lives in America. Jo has fond memories of their very first home in Halesworth, a Victorian townhouse in London Road which they 'did up' before moving to do the same at Wissett Place, at the other end of town. More recently they've moved to their self-build at Westhall, another award-winning venture. They've also built a house in Tanzania, but that's another story.