Sheryl is routinely instructed as leading counsel and as a leading junior in a broad spectrum of complex and serious cases and has particular expertise in defending young people charged with the most serious offenses. She has been instructed in numerous cases of homicide and serious violence, as well as firearms offenses, large-scale drug importations, and conspiracy cases.
Her strengths as an advocate lie not only in the measured but persuasive presentation of her cases in court but also in her meticulous scrutiny and application of the law and evidence often leading to well-timed successful legal arguments. Her down-to-earth approach outside of the courtroom, in addition to her fearless presentation in court proves extremely popular with both lay and professional clients, and court colleagues.
As a lawyer, Sheryl is known to provide instructive and decisive advice on all legal matters to her professional clients; her wide interest in various other areas of law and developments within the law means she is often called upon for opinion or direction outside of matters relating to criminal law and practice.
Her legal acumen and ability to interpret and advise on law and legal concepts means she is often called upon for opinion or legal direction in areas where the law (including criminal law) now intersects; her reading and research in one such area has led to advice to businesses and individuals in areas of social media use and legal pitfalls, and more recently privacy in this new digital age; having represented artists and other individuals in the music industry she now frequently provides talks and advice to organisations including record labels around artists, music and the criminal justice system including advising on internal response and legal support and the ways in which individuals/employees may be in contact with the criminal justice system.
As a lawyer Sheryl employs her critical awareness of racial inequality within the Criminal Justice System, maintaining in her practice an intersectional perspective on how race, background, and gender can impact the experience of individuals in the justice system. She is the senior Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) officer within Chambers and a member of the Race Equality, Inclusion & Anti-Racism working group at her Inn.
Called 2000.
Other legal interests include music law, including contractual and copyright issues; data protection law and cyber-crime; social media and the law.
As a Public Speaker, Sheryl gives talks to both businesses and educational establishments on subjects ranging from law and legal compliance, effective communication skills, and female career progression.
Sheryl provides mentoring for young women pursuing legal careers and also young people through schools and other youth programs.