LONGDEN WALKER AND RENNEY (SOLICITORS) LIMITED - Key Persons
A proud North East native, Alixandra was born and raised and lives in Northumberland. She loves to travel and is a real foodie. Alixandra spends most weekends travelling the country at food festivals, helping with her partner's artisan condiments business.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director & Clinical Negligence Solicitor
- Member of the Law Society
Boasting a law career which now spans across four decades, Alison's vast experience and excellent knowledge is a major asset to our Clinical Negligence department.
A senior Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), Alison is also a member of the Law Society's specialist clinical negligence panel, and much of her Case work is of a high-value and complex nature.
In recent years, she has successfully settled Cases ranging in value from £15,000 to £17m with settlements often including annual lifetime payments so clients can receive the professional care they need.
Having achieved solicitor status in 2002, Alison was appointed as a director with us in 2010 after initially qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1994.
After a long and varied law career, which includes a 25-year spell specialising in Personal Injury, she still gets great satisfaction from representing individuals and families and enjoys getting a good result which can help improve their quality of life.
Whilst Alison likes to adopt a very straight-talking approach, she treats every case with a sensitive hand and is great at building a rapport with clients, often working closely with people for several years to reach the best possible settlement.
Job Titles:
- Director, Solicitor & Head of Clinical Negligence
- Head of the Clinical Negligence
A specialist in complex and high-value cases, Alixandra was appointed as Head of the Clinical Negligence department in 2023, where she draws upon her previous Nursing experience to provide our clients with a unique insight into patient contact and best practice guidelines.
Having studied Adult Nursing at the University of East Anglia, Alixandra enjoyed a three-year spell working in NHS hospitals and wards, meaning she is extremely knowledgeable about clinical care practices. She now uses that experience to discuss the circumstances our clients have encountered, helping them to understand the correct procedural processes that should be followed.
Since joining us in 2015, she has worked on a broad range of negligence issues, from Birth Injuries and Surgical Errors to Orthopaedic issues. Alixandra originally worked as a Defendant Solicitor for a large multi-national firm, and practiced in the areas of Employment Law and Personal Injury, after qualifying as a Solicitor in 2013, following her Law Degree and Legal Practice Course studies at Northumbria University.
Job Titles:
- Director & Clinical Negligence Solicitor
- Member of the British Swimming World Class Potential Squad
- Specialist
A key member of our Clinical Negligence team, Amy has been a specialist in this complex area for more than a decade and has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of all aspects of running a case. From setting up the file and funding to the complexities of litigation and settlement; she works hard to achieve the most suitable settlement and provides a caring and supportive approach.
Her ability to build trust and personal relationships with people who may have endured serious medical problems or a stressful experience encourages clients to talk freely so we can try to do our best to win their case.
Promoted to Director in 2023, Amy actually first joined us as a work experience whilst studying at University, staying on in a part-time basis as a Paralegal whilst completing her MLAW degree. After graduating, she turned full-time and has worked in Clinical Negligence ever since, qualifying as a Solicitor in April 2015.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Negligence & Commercial Litigation Solicitor
Job Titles:
- Paralegal - Clinical Negligence
Ben successfully graduated from Northumbria University with an MLaw degree in July 2023 which involved completing his LLB, Masters and LPC course. He is delighted to be taking the first steps of his legal career and is excited for the challenges ahead.
Ben is very friendly and an attentive listener, who approaches all of his tasks in a comprehensive and diligent manner.
Job Titles:
- Civil Litigation & Commercial Dispute Solicitor
A vastly-experienced Commercial Litigation Solicitor, Chris has the knowledge and expertise to resolve business disputes quickly and cost effectively, via mediation or through the courts.
Having qualified as a Solicitor Advocate, Chris boasts the same rights of audience in court as barrister. This means he can vigorously pursue your objectives and provide legal representation in a wide range of courts including the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He is also an accredited Mediator and can represent clients if they need to engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Chris qualified as a solicitor in 2016, after studying history at the University of Hull before completing a graduate diploma in law and his LPC at the University of Law in York. Known for his personable and likeable manner, he can help with any commercial dispute and property-related issues.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal - Clinical Negligence
Friendly and methodical, Darci always approaches every task with bags of enthusiasm. She loves chatting to clients and her inquisitive nature aligns perfectly with her role preparing cases.
After successfully achieving an MLaw degree from Northumbria University, which included completing her LLB, Masters and LPC, Darci is thrilled to be taking a significant step in her legal career by taking on her first legal role.
During her time at University, Darci spent a year working as an advisor in the Student Law office where she helped signpost self-employed people towards grants and financial assistance to cope with the Covid pandemic.
Job Titles:
- Director & Clinical Negligence Management Consultant
With almost 40 years of extensive experience under his belt as a Solicitor, David is a great source of knowledge for our experts and a massive asset for our clients.
A member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) since the organisation started in 1989, David qualified as a Solicitor in 1984 and has always worked for Longden, Walker & Renney.
He became a Managing Partner in 2009 and Managing Director in 2012, before handing over the baton to current Managing Director Neil Heavisides, allowing him to focus on his role as a Director & Management Consultant.
Having overseen hundreds of complex and high-value cases - including accidents at work, asbestos-related industrial disease and road traffic accidents - David has played an instrumental role in our expansion.
His hard work helped us achieve the ‘Specialist Franchise' status required so we could act for clients using Legal Aid in Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury cases.
Today, David's main role is to assist in the management of the company and also provide our Clinical Negligence department with expert advice and guidance, particularly in more complex or high-value cases.
What are your main interests or hobbies?
I love watching sport and keeping fit, and particularly enjoy fell walking in picturesque surroundings. I also enjoy reading a good book.
What music do you like?
I do like listening to a wide and varied range of artists, but I am partial to a bit of 1970s/80s rock in particular.
What's your favourite food?
Fish or anything which is vegetarian.
What film would you recommend to others?
Blade Runner - it's a classic.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Negligence Solicitor
Hannah is passionate about helping people and enjoys working in our Clinical Negligence department because of the freedom she is given to pursue an eclectic mix of cases. Hannah enjoys building a rapport with her Clients and supporting them throughout the process of their claim.
Having achieved a Philosophy degree from Cardiff University in 2010, she returned to study Law following a spell working as a Law Costs Draftsman. She then graduated from Northumbria University with a Distinction in 2013. Hannah subsequently undertook her training contract at a large, Legal 500 firm in Newcastle.
Since qualifying as a Solicitor in March 2017, Hannah has worked on a wide assortment of cases and has successfully secured settlements ranging upwards of six figures.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor - Wills, Trusts & Probate
A key part of our growing Wills, Trusts & Probate team; Helen enjoys helping people and always adopts a caring approach with those who have recently been bereaved.
In 2022, she successfully achieved full accredited membership of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (previously known as Solicitors for the Elderly), after receiving the Older Client Law in Practice (OCLP) Award. The accolade is awarded to Solicitors who provide specialist legal care and support to older and vulnerable Clients, as well as their families and carers.
She believes the most rewarding aspect of her job is seeing the difference that her help can make to Clients, particularly those who feel as if a weight has been lifted off them by making a Will.
Having successfully completed a Law Degree at Sunderland University, Helen joined us in 2003 and spent five years as a paralegal, working in Clinical Negligence. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2015 and enjoyed a nine-year spell in Residential Conveyancing before joining the Wills, Trusts and Probate team at the beginning of 2021.
Job Titles:
- Head of Residential Property
Jackie is our Head of Residential Property and has more than 30 years of residential conveyancing experience. Passionate and committed to her work, she is an excellent communicator and uses easy to understand language to explain every step of the conveyancing process.
Jackie's pragmatic and practical approach helps to complete transactions quickly and smoothly. As a result, she receives countless personal recommendations and referrals from satisfied customers.
Although she works in a department which is deadline driven (and sometimes stressful) Jackie loves being part of a team which looks out for one another and pulls together. The joy of telling clients "You can collect the keys to your new home" still brings a smile to her face.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal - Wills, Trusts, Probate & Estates
Janine is one of the warm and friendly faces from our Wills, Trust & Probate Department and her welcoming manner is always appreciated by clients as they deal with what are often very sensitive matters.
Having joined as an Office Trainee in 2004, Janine has grown in confidence and after learning many different aspects in her previous role as a Legal Clerk has progressed to become a Paralegal. Her main duties include Drafting of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Estate Administrations and Probate Applications.
At the end of 2022, she completed her Level 6 Certificate in Law to achieve Specialist Paralegal status in the area of Wills, Probate and Administration, the highest level of subject-specific graduate level training available in the UK.
Whether it is on the phone or face-to-face, Janine enjoys talking to people and putting them at ease during what can often be a very emotional time. She always adopts a personal and non-judgemental approach to make clients feel comfortable and reassured that they are in safe hands.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Negligence Solicitor
- Clinical Negligence Specialist
An excellent communicator, Jonathan is a Clinical Negligence specialist who deals with complex and high-value cases. Since joining us in 2008, he has gained a great insight into the medical profession and enjoys having the autonomy to manage his own caseload.
His specialist areas include cancer misdiagnosis, spinal injury, brain injury particularly due to stroke, cardiology, ophthalmic injury, orthopaedics, bowel injuries sustained during surgery, cosmetic surgery mistakes, obstetrics and gynaecology.
Having not started his law career until his 30s, Jonathan boasts a broad range of life experience and is great at dealing with people after previously holding roles as a retail manager and mortgage adviser. He qualified as a solicitor in 2002 after gaining an Honours degree in Law from Northumbria University, where he won the Northern Rock prize for best part-time student in 1995.
He loves being part of a friendly team that fights hard to achieve justice for people who have sometimes suffered devastating and life-changing injuries, caused by routine processes not being properly carried out by medical professionals.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Commercial Property Law Solicitor
Having read law at University College in London, Keith qualified as a Solicitor in June 1971 before going on to specialise in property and commercial matters.
During his career, Keith has gained extensive knowledge in all areas of commercial property, particularly when acting for landlords and tenants on commercial leases. His tailored and practical advice is underpinned by years of experience.
He continues to provide support in relation to company sales and acquisitions. He also advises companies with regards to shareholder agreements, liquidation and administration, the construction or termination of contracts, shareholder disputes.
Keith is a director of a highly-successful and internationally-regarded social enterprise organisation, acting as its legal advisor for over 25 years.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Property Law Solicitor
Whilst Ken officially retired from his role as a senior partner in 2009, he does still act for us in a consultancy role on complex Commercial Property cases.
He originally qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and built up a large client base during an extensive career. He still works exclusively for some of them at the same time as advising our Property and Commercial team.
His specialist area is the purchase of high-value residential portfolios. He also acts for landowners on a wide variety of development projects, including disposals, options, leases and exclusivity agreements.
Job Titles:
- Director & Head of Wills, Trusts & Probate
Laura is the Head of our Wills, Trusts and Probate Department and is responsible for all matters relating to this complex and ever-changing area.
Having graduated from The University of Sunderland with an LLB (Hons) Law Degree, she went on to achieve an LLM Master's Degree in Advanced Legal Practice from Northumbria University. Laura qualified as a Solicitor in 2012 and was rewarded with promotion to Director in May 2020.
She is a proud member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global professional association which recognises its members as specialists in their field, and also boasts full Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) status.
Laura is a member of the Private Client Section of The Law Society and an accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (previously known as Solicitors for the Elderly), a national organisation of specialist Solicitors who support older and vulnerable people. A Dementia Friends Champion for the Alzheimer's Society, Laura also acts as Professional Deputy and Professional Trustee in a number of matters.
Laura particularly enjoys the face-to-face and open interaction she has with Clients, especially as a great deal of the work in assisting them is undertaken at what is often a sensitive time.
Her team always endeavours to provide the best possible legal services in a friendly and accessible fashion, adopting a compassionate and sensitive approach to each individual's particular needs.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Conveyancing Assistant
Leanne plays a key administrative role in our Commercial Conveyancing team, helping with the vast amount of important paperwork which goes hand in hand with propertysales, business sales, purchases and lease updates.
Part of a close-knit and busy department, her personable manner compliments other members of the team and she always adopts a positive approach to any task.
There's nothing Linda loves more than handing over the keys to a new home.
As the longest-serving member of our Residential Conveyancing department, having first joined us in 1998, this is something she has had the pleasure of doing countless times.
In her role as a Conveyancing Assistant, Linda assists our solicitors with most matters relating to sales, purchases, re-mortgages, equity release and Right to Buy.
A much-valued team member, she is often the first point of contact people have with our Conveyancing team, welcoming them with a friendly smile and wealth of expertise.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Negligence Solicitor
Monica's friendly and approachable manner is always well received by clients and she enjoys being part of our Clinical Negligence team, where she has the flexibility to work independently on a variety of Cases.
Since qualifying as a Solicitor in 2016, Monica chose to specialise in Clinical Negligence as this area of law was of great interest to her, having previously practiced in Personal Injury, Vehicle Damage and Fraud.
During her time reading Law at Northumbria University, she was delighted to receive the ‘Honour' award in recognition of her academic achievement whilst studying.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
- Managing Director
An experienced Chartered Legal Executive who qualified in 1998, Neil was appointed as Managing Director in 2019 after spending the best part of three decades specialising in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence litigation.
Having helped create and develop the Clinical Negligence department into one of the largest claimant teams in the north east of England over the last 15 years, it is an area he remains deeply passionate about. He still maintains day-to-day contact with the department and enjoys providing case assistance by working closely with Alixandra Cadden-Young, the new head of Clinical Negligence.
Having built up a reknowned reputation in his field, Neil frequently helps us pick up new cases because of recommendations from previous clients, other lawyers, barristers, doctors and medical practitioners.
Even though they are often very complex and demanding, the cases Neil finds the most rewarding are those involving acquired brain damage at birth, helping families secure compensation to improve the life of their loved one.
He always fights hard to achieve justice for his clients and, in recent years, has successfully negotiated significant damages for dozens of multi-million-pound claims - including settlements of £7.1m and £4.2m.
Since being appointed to lead the business, Neil has created a culture where support and teamwork are highly valued. He is proud to have a fantastic team of lawyers and support staff who are trusted to work together or autonomously in order to achieve successful outcomes for our clients.
Job Titles:
- Residential Conveyancing Executive
Since joining us in 2020, Rebecca has become a key member of our Residential Conveyancing Department, helping to assist with any aspect that may be needed in a domestic transaction.
Having previously gained 10 years' experience working for another local law firm, Rebecca thrives as part of a close-knit team and enjoys helping to make the buying and selling process as smooth as possible for clients.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Negligence Paralegal
A friendly and supportive member of our Clinical Negligence team, Samantha helps to prepare and draft legal documents, liaises with clients and manages administrative tasks as we build a case file.
Having joined us as a Legal Clerk in 2010, she has worked hard to progress her career and enjoys helping people gain access to justice through her role as a Paralegal.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Property Conveyancing