Partners 
Jeremy Donegan
Jeremy Donegan graduated from University College London in 1986 with an honours degree in Economics. After successfully completing the legal conversion course, Jeremy joined the local firm of Griffith Smith, completing his articles there before qualifying as a Solicitor in 1991. Jeremy was promoted to partner a short while later. Jeremy left Griffith Smith in 1996 to form J P Donegan & Co before it merged with Osler & Co to form ODT in 1998.
When Jeremy is not working he divides his time between his family and running. Jeremy is not only a very keen amateur athlete, but he also competes locally on a regular basis and enjoys surfing in Cornwall.
Jeremy is the head of our Enfranchisement Department and is considered one of the few experts in this area of Law in Sussex. Jeremy is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and LEASE (the Leasehold Advisory Service). In addition, Jeremy is the solicitor to the Brighton & Hove District Leaseholders Association, which is a voluntarily run organisation that meets in Hove once a month and where Jeremy advises on Enfranchisement and Landlord & Tenant issues free of charge.
Harvey Osler
Harvey Osler graduated from University College Wales in 1985 with an honours degree in Law. Harvey started out as an articled clerk at Dean Wilson Laing in Brighton before qualifying as a solicitor in 1990, and being promoted to Partner shortly afterwards. Harvey left Dean Wilson Laing in 1996 and formed Osler & Co before it merged with J P Donegan & Co to form ODT in 1998.
Harvey is a passionate golfer and has played squash at County level as a junior. Apart from Sport, Harvey enjoys Indian Food, spending time with his Wife and three sons and is an aficionado of progressive rock music.
Harvey is our Managing Partner and is currently heading up our Hurstpierpoint office. Harvey specialises in Residential Property and Conveyancing, Wills & Probate as well as dealing with claimant based Personal Injury, Landlord & Tenant and general commercial litigation.
Rupert Taylor
Rupert Taylor was a student of Lancing College before graduating from University College London with an honours degree in Archaeology. On leaving University, Rupert converted to Law and joined the local firm of Capel Cure as a trainee solicitor. Rupert qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and thereafter left Capel Cure to work as a joint consultant to Osler & Co and J P Donegan & Co specialising in Residential and Commercial Property. Rupert was the third of the three founding partners of ODT when it was formed in 1998 and is now recognised as one of the most efficient and capable Commercial Property solicitors in Brighton & Hove.
Rupert is a life long resident of Brighton & Hove and when not spending time with his family, enjoys Rugby and Cricket as well as walking his dogs. Rupert is also a member of the National Trust.
Rupert is the head of our Residential and Commercial Property Departments and specialises in all areas of commerce including the sale and acquisitions of businesses, new commercial (and residential) developments, the granting and assignment of commercial leases and the sale and purchase of commercial property. Rupert also practices Residential Conveyancing and Wills & Probate.
Paul Barnes
Paul Barnes graduated from University College London with an honours degree in Law & French Law after having spent a year studying French Law at the University of Aix-Marseille in the South of France. Paul joined ODT having completed the Legal Practice Course with distinction before qualifying as a solicitor shortly after.
Paul's main interests include all sport but particularly golf, cricket and football. Paul’s other interests include food & wine, classic BBC comedy and literature (particularly the works of Oscar Wilde and George Orwell).
Paul specialises in Enfranchisement and Landlord & Tenant Law (particularly service charge disputes and disrepair cases). Paul also practices all areas of Commercial Property, Commercial Litigation, Housing Law and Claimant based Personal Injury.
Paul is a member of LEASE (Leasehold Advisory Service) and attends the Brighton & Hove District Leaseholders Association, which is a voluntary organisation that meets in Hove once a month and where Paul advises on Enfranchisement and Landlord & Tenant issues free of charge.
Claire Bown
Claire Bown graduated from University College London with an honours degree in Law & French Law after having spent a year studying French Law at the University of Aix-Marseille in the South of France. Claire trained and qualified with ODT having completed the Legal Practice Course with distinction.
Claire enjoys travel, socialising, eating out, cooking (particularly Thai food) and skiing. Claire has family in the South West of France and visits there regularly, and also lived and worked in Egypt before attending University. Claire is a fluent French speaker.
Claire specialises in Enfranchisement and deals with all aspects of Land Law too. In addition, Claire advises on Company Law matters, dealing particularly with company procedure.
Lawrence Gibbons
Lawrence graduated with honours in Law from the University of Sussex and joined ODT in 2005.
Lawrence specialises in Residential and Commercial Property as well as heading up our Wills and Probate team, an area in which he enjoys a fast growing reputation for effective and practical advice on estate and tax planning.
Lawrence is keenly involved in local business, and is a long standing member of BNI, a local business networking initiative.
Outside of work, Lawrence's interests include rugby, squash and golf.