STEPHENSONS - Key Persons

A Warrington

Job Titles:

Solicitor for All Stages of Life

There are many different points in life when we might need some legal advice and support. This ranges from things such as conveyancing services to buy a home, through to help with writing a Will, dealing with personal disputes and family law issues. Stephensons can offer expertise in all of these areas and more. Whether you want to make a personal injury claim, are looking for advice because you have been accused of a crime or are considering divorce, we can help and will always endeavour to achieve the best possible outcome for every client.

Adam Pennington

Job Titles:

Partner

Biography Adam is a Partner in the employment law team at Stephensons. Adam joined Stephensons in 2010 and successfully secured a training contract in 2013. Adam qualified in 2015 and now works in the employment team advising claimants in relation to the following: Bringing and defending a wide range of claims for unfair dismissal, including claims relating to redundancy, alleged gross misconduct, "whistle-blowing" and raising health and safety concerns; Assisting employees who have not been paid the correct wages or who have had money taken out of their pay without their agreement; Providing guidance to employees undergoing disciplinary and grievance procedures; Advising employees and workers who have been unfairly treated, discriminated against or harassed in the workplace; and Assisting employees when the identity of their employer has been transferred (known as "TUPE" transfers). Adam also advises extensively on settlement agreements and provides ongoing HR advice to businesses through our HR support fixed price packages, Workplace Plus and HR Assists. He regularly assists clients funded through a legal expenses policy, carrying out assessments of the prospects. He is supervised by Philip Richardson. Adam regularly comments on employment law issues in the media. He has recently appeared on Sky News and BBC Radio Manchester. He has also recently had pieces/made comment in the following titles: HR Director, Personnel Today, People Management, HR News, Information Age and HR Review.

Amy Jones

Job Titles:

Senior Associate
Solicitor
Senior Associate Solicitor / Wigan

Biography Having obtained an LLB Hons from the University of Liverpool, Amy qualified as a solicitor in 2010. Since qualification, Amy has practised exclusively in family law at two North West high street firms and has strong links with the Liverpool and Manchester court circuits. Amy has undertaken all aspects of family law during her career to date and now specialises in child care work. Amy has a vast amount of experience in advising parents in cases where social services and the local authority has become involved with their family, whether at a pre-proceedings stage or court proceedings. Amy has been involved in a wide and varied range of cases including those with issues of neglect, drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues, learning difficulties or disabilities, sexual abuse, non-accidental injuries and many others. Amy has experience in representing children in care proceedings via their children's guardian and successfully obtained her Law Society Children Panel Accreditation in February 2020. Amy conducts her own advocacy and has appeared in courts across the North West.

Andrea Woods

Job Titles:

Senior Associate
Criminal Litigation Solicitor and Senior Associate
Criminal Litigation Solicitor and Senior Associate / Wigan

Biography Andrea was appointed as a senior associate of the firm in May 2009. Andrea qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and joined Stephensons in 2001, working exclusively within the criminal litigation department. Andrea is both duty qualified and police station accredited and specialises in Magistrates Court advocacy. Andrea graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 1996 with a bachelor of laws degree and went on to complete her postgraduate diploma in legal practice at the College of Law, Chester in 1997. Andrea is married with three children and her interests include keeping fit, skiing and travelling.

Andrew Whitehead

Job Titles:

Partner

Biography Andrew is a Partner based in the firm's commercial litigation department undertaking work for a national client base. Andrew joined Stephensons in 2012 after completing his law degree at the University of Sheffield and thereafter the legal practice course at the University of Law in Manchester. He is supervised by Louise Hebborn.

Anne-Marie McCann

an..@stephensons.co.uk

Job Titles:

Head of Accounts
Senior Associate
Head of Accounts and Senior Associate / Wigan

Biography Anne-Marie joined Stephensons in 1990 and began training as a legal cashier, progressing to senior cashier before moving into office management. Anne-Marie left the firm in 2000 when she relocated to Manchester. In May 2007 Anne-Marie returned to Stephensons and commenced work as Head of Accounts. Anne-Marie heads a team of seven members of staff and is primarily responsible for ensuring the department runs smoothly. Anne-Marie has supported the interventions department working on statutory trust work for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Completing accounts assessment work on some of the largest interventions the SRA has conducted. When away from the office Anne-Marie enjoys spending quality time with her family, gardening and watching water polo. Anne-Marie also enjoys walking in the Lake District.

Carla Duprey

Job Titles:

Clinical Negligence Solicitor and Senior Associate

Chloe Parish

Job Titles:

Senior Associate Solicitor / Wigan

Chris Gibbons - CIO

Job Titles:

Head of IT
Member of the Operational Board

Chris Graves

Job Titles:

Partner

Biography Chris was appointed as a Partner in 2017 and is a solicitor specialising in commercial property law with over ten years post-qualification experience. Chris joined Stephensons in 2000 whilst still a student and graduated from the University of Leicester in 2002. He completed his LPC with distinction in Chester in 2004 and qualified as a solicitor in 2007 joining the commercial property department. Chris specialises in all areas of commercial property law and his caseload includes: Advising housing associations on various matters including development and funding matters with particular specialism in the supported living sector High value commercial property acquisitions and commercial sales Residential property developments Advising landlords and tenants in relation to all aspects of commercial lease transactions (low and high value) Acting for pension funds and charity acquisitions and disposals Commercial development transactions including large scale design build and let commercial projects. Acting for commercial lenders in refinance transactions. Business sales and purchases Advising insolvency practitioners in relation to the property aspects arising out of bankruptcy, liquidations and administrations Chris has a wide range of skills and is experienced in handling the more complex property matters including option agreements, conditional contracts, agreements for leases, grants of easements and releases of rights of light and air. Chris has built up a loyal base of clients nationwide and acts for various housing associations, property developers and landlords with large portfolios of properties. He also has a number of clients in, and is experienced dealing with, the retail and leisure sectors including bar/pubs, hotel and restaurant owners. Chris lives near to Chorley and in his spare time he enjoys playing football, tennis, badminton and the guitar. Chris is also a keen supporter of Manchester United.