Phoebe Coleman

Phoebe is a highly intelligent, thorough, and empathetic solicitor who prepares serious and complex Crown Court cases, alongside attending the magistrates’ court and police station.  

She has significant experience beyond her junior status, working on homicide cases, cases involving serous violence and drugs, and a broad spectrum of sexual offences.  She is gaining experience in fraud cases. Phoebe is also experienced in confiscation proceedings.  

Phoebe graduated from Cambridge University receiving academic awards during her studies.  She began working for Sonn MacMillan Walker as a paralegal in February 2019 and completed her training contract at the firm qualifying as a solicitor in March 2022. Phoebe gained duty solicitor status in March 2024.  

Prior to qualification Phoebe was supervised on a wide spectrum of cases by Amy Cox, Lorena Lowen and David Bloom. As such she received supervision from senior solicitors within our firm, working on complex and serious general crime, fraud and confiscation cases.  

Serious Case Load  

Since qualification Phoebe has represented clients charged with various offences including multi defendant county lines drugs cases, kidnap, blackmail and firearm cases, arson with intent to endanger life and several high-value conspiracies to defraud. She has also done significant work in serious violence cases, including attempted murder and GBH cases involving multiple stabbings.  

Phoebe has significant experience in respect of sexual offences including historic matters and child sex offences, multi and single-defendant rape cases, and indecent images cases. She has particular expertise in dealing with investigations that follow actions taken by online paedophile hunter groups. 

In respect of Confiscation proceedings Phoebe’s work has involved representing multiple co-defendants in Encrochat cases, assisting on the confiscation proceedings following a conspiracy to supply drugs valued at over £6 million, and acting in several sets of enforcement proceedings on a legal aid and private basis.

Diligent Case Preparation 

Phoebe is adept at considering and analysing evidence in a case, getting to the core strengths and weaknesses. Her work ethic means she has the same approach however large or small the case.  Phoebe is familiar with the benefits that can be gained from expert evidence and is keen to consider and instruct experts where necessary. She will pursue any leads in respect of defence evidence, whether this involves pursuing disclosure requests from the Crown, obtaining defence witness statements, or defence material for example CCTV or phone data not sought by the Crown. 

A Compassionate Touch  

Phoebe recognises the importance of every case to every client.  She is quick to gain the respect and confidence of her clients due to her compassion and kindness, coupled with her legal knowledge and skills. Phoebe is a calm and patient solicitor who dedicates herself to ensuring her clients receive the highest level of representation. She ensures her clients understand and appreciate the issues in their cases by considering them from the client’s perspective. For these reasons she has a particular skill for representing vulnerable defendants and those with mental health issues. She is developing her experience of representing youths.  

As a more junior member of our team, Phoebe is already successfully representing clients on serious matters. She is regularly commended by Counsel for her case preparation and her hard work does not go unnoticed by clients who are quick to demonstrate their appreciation with their feedback. She is already an extremely successful solicitor and has a bright future ahead of her.