WILKINSON WOODWARD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Solicitor Commercial and Commercial Conveyancing
- Director, Solicitor Commercial and Commercial Conveyancing / Halifax
Andrew is a Director at Wilkinson Woodward and is based at our Halifax office. Andrew has notched up 28 years in the profession, of which he has spent the past 25 years specialising in property law.
Andrew joined Wilkinson Woodward way back in 1987 as a trainee solicitor and has been a partner here for over 20 years. As one of the firm's senior property and commercial specialists, Andrew offers a wealth of experience and expertise to clients and the rest of the team alike.
Outside work, Andrew is an ardent rugby fan and enjoys most sports. He lives locally with wife Lynn. The couple have two grown up children.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute
- Legal Executive Family Law
- Legal Executive Family Law / Halifax
After joining Wilkinson Woodward in 1990 as a conveyancer, Clive went on to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1993 and gained experience in employment law, criminal law, and matrimonial law before settling into his specialist areas of matrimonial law, divorce, separation, children disputes and financial matters in 2008. Clive has a heartfelt passion for helping some of the local community's most vulnerable members to resolve their problems.
Clive is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Many of his clients choose to return to Clive for further advice. As a result, he has developed long standing professional relationships with many who come to him for legal advice.
Born and bred in Halifax, Clive is married with two grown up children, Clive lives in Greetland and enjoys watching sport, reading, eating out and walking his beloved Labrador, Monty.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor, Residential & Commercial Property
- Solicitor, Residential & Commercial Property / Huddersfield
Dan studied at Bradford Grammar School and gained a degree in History from the University of Newcastle before completing a law conversion course in 2018 and his LPC (Legal Practice Course) in 2019.
Having gained some early experience with us in between 2016 and 2017, Dan accepted a training contract at Wilkinson Woodward in November 2019. He qualified as a solicitor in November 2021 and works at our Brighouse office as part of our busy Property team, handling both commercial and residential property matters.
Dan lives in Halifax and is Calderdale ‘born and bred'. Outside work, he supports Leeds United Football Club, enjoys music and makes frequent trips back to the North East to catch up with friends.
He is based at our offices in central Huddersfield.
Darren Harley appointed as the new Agency Manager of Boococks 20 Feb 2019
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Family Law
- Solicitor Family Law / Halifax
Dawn's passion for helping others can traced back to the start of her career. After leaving school Dawn spent five years as a social care support worker. She later moved to the legal services team at South Yorkshire NHS Trust before a short spell in the legal services department at Bradford Council.
After studying at BPP University Manchester and Leeds Beckett University, Dawn qualified as a solicitor in November 2020. Throughout her career Dawn has worked to protect vulnerable members of society, especially those suffering domestic abuse.
Born and bred in Halifax, Dawn now lives in Huddersfield where she spends her free time socialising with friend and family.
Dawn joined us in January 2021 and is based at our offices in Halifax.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Member of Resolution
- Solicitor Family Law
- Solicitor Family Law / Huddersfield
Emily graduated from the University of Warwick in 2003 with a degree in English Literature. After returning home and deciding to pursue a career in law, Emily studied for two years at the BPP Law School where she completed a law conversion course as well as her Legal Practice Course.
After completing her legal studies and qualifying as a Solicitor, Emily began specialising in family law. Over the past decade she has developed a broad experience in matrimonial law, divorce, separation, children disputes and financial matters.
Emily is a member of Resolution, a national organisation comprising some 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals who are each committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. She is also a member of The Law Society Family Law Panel.
Outside work, Emily lives in Huddersfield with her husband and their two young children. She is based at our Huddersfield office.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Technician Certificate 21 Feb 2022
Job Titles:
- Conveyancer
- Conveyancer / Huddersfield
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Trainee Solicitor / Halifax
Grace graduated with a First in 2021 after completing her Degree, Masters and Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University.
After a short spell in the Family team of another leading legal practice, Grace started a training contract with us in June 2022. She will spend the next two years gaining experience in various departments and is due to qualify as a solicitor in June 2024.
Born and bred in Greetland, Grace is a keen theatre-goer and a regular gym-bunny!
She is currently based in the Wills and Probate team at our Halifax office, handling a mix of Will writing, Probate matters and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor, Commercial Conveyancing
- Solicitor, Commercial Conveyancing / Halifax
Following completion of her legal studies in Leeds and York, Hardev qualified as a Solicitor in 2006 and specialises in commercial property work and also deals with residential property and commercial law.
Hardev is based at our Halifax office and deals with all types of property transactions including the sale and purchase of freehold premises, purchases and sales of land, granting of new leases, the assignment of existing leases, licences to occupy, licences for alterations and new legal charges.
She is also able to provide general commercial advice that is tailored to your business requirements including the sale and purchase of businesses.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor, Head of Wills & Probate
- Solicitor, Head of Wills & Probate / Halifax
Hayley qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and handles a full range of matters including wills, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection work, trusts, probate and administration of estates.
As Head of our Wills and Probate team, Hayley has a key role in helping families and individuals deal with a range of legal matters smoothly and efficiently, often during very difficult times. She is one of just a handful of solicitors in Calderdale to be included on Alzheimer's Research UK's list of solicitors who have experience of clients affected by dementia.
Hayley lives in Sowerby Bridge with her two daughters. She joined Wilkinson Woodward in 2007 and is based at our Halifax office.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Probate
- Solicitor Probate / Halifax
After studying at Manchester University and York College of Law, Heather began her legal career working in Leeds and Bradford, before qualifying as a solicitor in 1992.
Heather went on to gain a decade of experience in litigation before a change to private client work enabled her to develop considerable expertise in wills, probate, trusts and estates.
Heather, who has a particular interest and significant experience in advising elderly clients, is a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly.
Heather's status as a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) reflects her specialist qualifications and experience in drafting wills and trusts, administering estates, acting as a trustee and advising families on the best way to structure their finances and preserve assets for future generations. Heather's TEP status also reflects her significant involvement at a specialist level with inheritance and succession planning.
Outside work, Heather enjoys running (although not necessarily uphill!). She lives in Elland with her husband and two teenage children. Heather joined Wilkinson Woodward in March 2017 and is based at our Halifax office.
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Trainee Solicitor / Halifax
Insha completed her Legal Practice Course at the University of Huddersfield before joining Wilkinson Woodward in 2018. After initially working on a mixed caseload of commercial property matters, Insha moved over to our residential property team in 2020.
Insha, who lives in Halifax, accepted a training contract with us in April 2022 and will spend the next 18 months gaining experience in all departments. She is due to qualify as a solicitor in October 2023.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Employment Law, Probate and Civil Litigation
- Solicitor Employment Law, Probate and Civil Litigation / Halifax
After studying at Lancaster University and the College of Law in Manchester James joined us as a Trainee in 2010 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2012.
James specialises in employment law, representing both employers and employees in cases of:
unfair dismissal
discrimination at work
settlement agreements
disputes in business relating to shareholders rights, unfair prejudice and confidential information
Alongside his employment law work, James handles probate matters, including:
wills
lasting powers of attorney
probate and the administration of estates
James also deals with general litigation matters including:
Residential landlord possession claims
Other disputes with landlords, including housing disrepair, tenancy deposit claims and landlord harassment
Tenant disputes, including evictions, rent arrears and non-payment of rent
Commercial Landlord Possession Claims, debt disputes, and defective workmanship/repair disputes.
Outside work James can often be found on a tennis court. He's a skilful tennis player and acts as secretary for Calderdale Tennis League. James also plays football for Huddersfield's Britannia Football Club and helps to organise our annual charity quiz.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Conveyancing
- Solicitor Conveyancing / Halifax
Jessica joined us in August 2015, bringing with her over a decade of experience in conveyancing including sales, purchases, re-mortgages, transfer of equity and declarations of trust.
After gaining a degree in English at Lancaster University, Jessica went on to complete her qualifications at the University of Huddersfield before qualifying as a solicitor in 2007. Jessica says her greatest professional achievement has been "Working for Wilkinson Woodward, a firm whose ethos I have always admired."
Jess lives in Halifax and is based at our office in Fountain Street.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Family Law
- Solicitor Family Law / Halifax
Kasia has a wealth of experience in family law, specifically in matters concerning children and domestic abuse.
In addition, she works closely with various Polish and English organisations and charities to assist victims of domestic abuse across England and Wales.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor Children and Care Proceedings
- Solicitor Children and Care Proceedings / Huddersfield
Kate studied law at the University of Leeds and completed her Masters and LPC (Legal Practice Course) at the University of Law in 2018. Kate began her training contract at Wilkinson Woodward in 2018 and qualified as a solicitor in November 2020.
Since graduating she has retained close ties with the University of Leeds Law School where she mentors the next generation of legal professionals.
Kate attended North Halifax Grammar School and is Calderdale ‘born and bred'. Outside work, Kate plays netball in a local league and is a musical theatre fanatic; she performs in amateur shows and is a committee member for the Halifax Light Opera Society Juniors.
Kate works in our Care department, mainly assisting parents throughout care proceedings. She is based at our offices in Queen Street, Huddersfield.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Probate
- Solicitor Probate / Halifax
Katie joined Wilkinson Woodward in 2003 and specialises in Private Client work, including Probate, Wills, Trusts, Tax, Court of Protection and Powers of Attorney since her qualification as a solicitor in 2005.
Katie tells us her greatest professional achievement is being able to help clients with a wide range of legal needs - anything from complex matters concerning domicile and tax, to helping someone to make a Will or administer an estate.
Katie lives in Sowerby Bridge with her husband and young family and is a huge fan of the great outdoors. In her free time you'll find her walking in the local countryside or pitching her tent for a spot of camping with the family.
Job Titles:
- Member of Solicitors for the Elderly 3 Sep 2019
Kelly Gill becomes a member of Solicitors For The Elderly 3 Sep 2019
Job Titles:
- Director
- Solicitor
- Director, Solicitor Commercial and Commercial Conveyancing
- Director, Solicitor Commercial and Commercial Conveyancing / Huddersfield
- Trustee of the Eleanor Hirst Trust 21 Jul 2021
Since joining us as a Trainee Solicitor in 2006, and qualifying in 2008, Laura has notched up over a decade of specialist experience in property (residential and commercial including property sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity.), as well as extensive knowledge of all areas of commercial and corporate Law.
Laura harboured an interest in law and helping people from an early age studying Law at Warwick University before completing her LPC at BPP Law School, Leeds. This continues today and Laura actively supports the Huddersfield University Law Clinic and is involved with charity events run by the firm. Laura also supports several Kirklees based community initiatives including Platform 1, a local mental health and crisis support charity for men and The Eleanor Hirst Trust, of which she is a trustee.
Laura relishes the challenging nature of corporate, commercial and property law work. She is a member of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Probate
- Solicitor Probate / Halifax
After completing her Law Degree and Master of Law and Practice Course at the University of Huddersfield, Lauren began her legal career with another local practice, before joining us on a training contract in October 2016.
Having since gained valuable experience in all departments, Lauren qualified as a solicitor in April 2018 and now works in our Wills and Probate team, helping people with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate matters.
Outside of work, Lauren enjoys going to the gym, cooking and spending time with her family. She lives locally and divides her time between our offices in Huddersfield and Halifax.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Family Law
- Solicitor Family Law / Huddersfield
Lesley's interest in Law harks back to the 1970s when, at the tender age of thirteen, she was inspired by Margaret Lockwood's powerful portrayal of a barrister in TV classic, The Scales of Justice.
After graduating from the University of Warwick in 1983, Lesley began work as an articled clerk (trainee solicitor) in Liverpool. She qualified as a solicitor in 1988, initially covering both criminal and family work, before going on to specialise exclusively in family matters.
Linda began her working career as a junior secretary at a large legal firm in Leeds City Centre. Since those early days, Linda has racked up an impressive thirty-one years in the legal profession. Linda specialises in conveyancing, wills and lasting powers of attorney - she particularly enjoys helping elderly clients.
Away from work Linda enjoys cooking, eating out, entertaining friends and family and spoiling her two grandsons. Linda joined Wilkinson Woodward in 2007 and is based at our Brighouse office.
With extensive experience working for well-known local firms including Ludgate Morrell, Ridley & Hall, Holroyd & Co and Ramsdens, Liz's legal career spans three decades.
A licensed conveyancer since 2003, Liz has over twenty years' experience of helping people to buy and sell their homes and has extensive knowledge of all areas of conveyancing, including property sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity. Whilst Liz specialises in residential property, she also acts for a handful of small independent developers.
Liz has lived and worked in the Huddersfield area throughout her career and her clients benefit from her detailed knowledge of the local property market.
Outside work, Liz is married and admits to being ‘a bit of a gym bunny'. She joined Wilkinson Woodward Bearders in April 2019 and is based at our office in Brighouse.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor, Head of Children and Care Proceedings
- Solicitor, Head of Children and Care Proceedings / Huddersfield
Lynn graduated from Keele University with a joint honours degree in Law and French and also studied at Chester School of Law.
Since qualifying while at Calderdale Council in 1989, Lynn has built up over three decades of experience working in Children Law throughout Kirklees and Calderdale. Lynn was Head of the Child Care team at Kirklees Council and became a member of the Law Society's Children's Panel in 2000.
Lynn joined Wilkinson Woodward in 2000 and is based at our Huddersfield office.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Managing Director
- Managing Partner
- Solicitor
- Managing Director, Solicitor and Notary Public
- Managing Director, Solicitor and Notary Public / Halifax
- Trustee of the Next Step Trust
After studying at Manchester University and the College of Law at Chester, Maureen qualified as a Solicitor in 1989, specialising in litigation and employment law.
Following short spells at legal practices in Manchester and Leeds, Maureen joined the Litigation department at Wilkinson Woodward in 1992.
Maureen achieved her notarial qualification from Cambridge University in 2007 and, over the past decade, has built up a busy and highly regarded Notary practice. From couples wanting to marry abroad to substantial PLCs that trade internationally, Maureen's Notary work is in high demand with private and corporate clients from Calderdale, Kirklees and further afield.
Maureen became our Managing Partner in 2007 and, over the past decade, she has guided our fiercely independent legal practice as we continue to evolve, expand and respond to the changing nature of legal services. Maureen oversaw the opening of our branches in Huddersfield and, more recently, in Brighouse.
Today Maureen divides her time between her management responsibilities and a substantial caseload of notary, employment and litigation work. Maureen is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the Notary Society.
Outside work, Maureen is a Trustee of The Next Step Trust, a Halifax-based charity for young adults with complex needs, where her legal expertise and management experience are called upon to further the work of this important local charity.
A keen theatre goer, Maureen lives in Halifax with her husband and grown up son.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Solicitor
- Director, Solicitor Residential Conveyancing
- Director, Solicitor Residential Conveyancing / Halifax
After completing her Law Degree and Legal Practice Course at Leeds Metropolitan University, Melanie completed her training contract at Cadmans Solicitors in Cleckheaton.
Melanie qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and accepted a position with the conveyancing team at Clarksons Solicitors in Halifax, where she later became a partner. She joined Wilkinson Woodward in 2014 and was appointed as a director in April 2019.
With over 15 years' experience of helping people to buy and sell their homes, Melanie has extensive knowledge of all areas of conveyancing, including property sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity.
Born and bred in Calderdale, Melanie knows the local property market like the back of her hand and, over the years, she has developed a well-deserved reputation for smoothing the way through many challenging and complex property transactions, including the sale of unregistered farmland and farm properties throughout Calderdale.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Solicitor Mediation and Family Law
- Director, Solicitor Mediation and Family Law / Halifax
Penny joined Wilkinson Woodward as an articled clerk (trainee solicitor) in 1986. She has specialised in family law since qualifying in 1988.
Under Penny's guiding hand, Wilkinson Woodward was the first family team in Calderdale to provide a mediation service. Penny qualified as mediator in 1996 and has since qualified to provide direct consultation with children as part of the mediation process.
Penny, who was born in Halifax, never loses sight of the emotional impact on families of marital breakdown and she works tirelessly to guide clients through the legal aspects of a break up as smoothly and painlessly as possible.
Outside work, Penny is a confirmed foodie and divides much of her spare time between cooking, growing vegetables, making jam and tending to her brood of chickens. Somehow she still finds time to walk the dog, care for a rescue pony and watch a spot of rugby.
Penny is married with two grown up sons.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor Residential Conveyancing
- Solicitor Residential Conveyancing / Huddersfield
Rachel began her legal career with us in 2014 on a part time work experience placement, whilst still studying at the University of Huddersfield.
After achieving a first class honours degree in Law and completing her Master of Law and Practice Course, Rachel began working as a legal assistant at our Brighouse office where she supported our Wills and Probate team. Rachel then moved to our Halifax office where she worked on a wide range of Personal Injury matters.
In April 2018 Rachel began an 18 month training contract and qualified as a solicitor in October 2019. She specialises in residential property law, including sales, purchases, transfers of equity and remortgages.
Rachel has lived in Brighouse all her life and knows the area well. Outside work, she's a keen traveller, enjoys socialising with friends and family and takes part in Brighouse parkrun most Saturday mornings.
Rachel is based at our Huddersfield office.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor / Halifax
Richard qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and specialised in criminal defence work for over 30 years. He is now part of our Compliance team. Outside work his interests include running and reading.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Solicitor
- Director, Solicitor Children and Care Proceedings
- Director, Solicitor Children and Care Proceedings / Halifax
- Member of the Law Society Children Panel
Robert made his way into the legal profession after studying at Bradford Grammar School, Liverpool University and the College of Law in Chester.
He has been part of the Wilkinson Woodward family since 1980, qualifying as a solicitor in 1982.
Over the years Robert has amassed a broad experience and has dealt with everything from matrimonial and personal injury to clinical negligence and commercial litigation.
Today Robert deals almost exclusively with matters relating to public family law -cases in which the local authority involves itself in family life, including care proceedings and sometimes adoption. He usually acts on behalf of children or parents.
Robert has been a practising member of the Law Society Children Panel since 1988 - only a handful of solicitors in West Yorkshire match his longevity in this regard. He is also a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Solicitor Civil Litigation, Probate, and Family Law
- Director, Solicitor Civil Litigation, Probate, and Family Law / Huddersfield
After deciding to follow his father into the legal profession, Roy's first legal role was as a trainee solicitor in Shrewsbury back in the 1990s.
Since qualifying as a solicitor in 1992, Roy has amassed over two decades of experience in his specialist areas of civil litigation, family law and the administration of estates. Roy's professional longevity is testimony to his unerring desire to help his clients resolve their problems.
Roy is a well-known figure at our Huddersfield practice - he was a partner at Norcliffe & Co Solicitors before we merged with them in 2012.
Outside work, Roy is married and lives in Rochdale. When he's not in the office, chances are you'll find him outdoors, indulging his passion for cycling, riding, hill walking and climbing.
Scott studied law at the University of Lincoln, graduating in 2009. After a short spell at a small legal practice, Scott moved to larger firms in Leeds and later, in Holmfirth where he specialised in residential conveyancing.
With eleven years' experience under his belt, Scott handles a varied range of residential property work including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-financing and transfers of equity.
Outside work, Scott is married with a young son and lives on the outskirts of Huddersfield. He enjoys walking, gardening and cooking.
Scott joined us in June 2021 and is based at our offices in Brighouse.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Solicitor Children and Care Proceedings
- Director, Solicitor Children and Care Proceedings / Huddersfield
- Member of the Law Society 's Children Panel
Shelley joined us in 2014 after achieving a First Class Law Degree followed by a Master's in Law and Practice. She qualified as a solicitor in July 2016 and specialises in Children and Care proceedings.
In 2019 Shelley was appointed as a member of the Law Society's Children Panel and is therefore able to represent children within care proceedings. She is also a member of Huddersfield Law Society, and, in April 2021,we were delighted when Shelley joined our board of directors.
Shelley is a familiar face in the Courts in Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, providing representation in cases where the local authority is involved in family life, including care proceedings and adoption, as well as representing children in private family law proceedings.
Outside work, Shelley lives in Huddersfield and spends her free time with friends and family.
Shelley McLachlan appointed to Law Society children panel 3 Sep 2019
Job Titles:
- Solicitor, Commercial and Property Law