LHD SOLICITORS - Key Persons


BEN DRURY

Job Titles:
  • Magistrates Court Clerk
Ben is a Magistrates Court clerk who joined the firm in August 2021 as a member of the reception and admin department. He is now studying for the SQE exam alongside preparing cases for Trial at the Magistrates Court and dealing with Legal Aid. Ben has also had experience in a variety of career paths including being a trained actor.

DAVID LEACH

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
David attended Lancaster University and was admitted as a solicitor in 2001 after pursuing a career in the army. He has experience in courts throughout the North West of England. His caseload covers all aspects of criminal defence work, including road traffic offences to serious organised crime. That scope includes homicide, sexual offences and multi-handed conspiracies. As well as being a member of the duty solicitor scheme, David also specialises in action against the police cases.

DENISE ETHERINGTON

Job Titles:
  • Legal Secretary
Denise joined the firm in 1990 from leaving college. She is the head of the reception and administration department and has been secretary to the Managing Director for over 10 years. She also has secretarial experience working in other areas of law including matrimonial and childcare.

EILEEN WALTON

Job Titles:
  • Crown Court Clerk
Eileen has been with LHD since 2006 working as a Clerk within our Crown Court department. She has had a variety of career paths, even working abroad at one stage, and she brings this life experience to her position within the firm. Eileen consistently receives high praise from clients for her calming manner during a stressful time and is respected by Counsel with whom she works closely on a daily basis. She has dealt with all manner of Serious Crime including large scale Drug cases, Fraud, People Trafficking, Rape and violent offences including murder.

JENNETTE LONG

Job Titles:
  • Legal Secretary
Following her retirement after 30 years with the firm, Jennette was happy to return on a part time basis to assist the reception and administration department. She is responsible for some of the many letters that are sent out daily as well as liaising with the courts and clients.

JESSICA TITMAN

Job Titles:
  • Reception Assistant and Office Administrator

JOHN HALEWOOD-DODD

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director & Senior Defence Solicitor
John heads up our Criminal Defence team having qualified as a Solicitor in 1996. He has established a determined and tenacious team of Lawyers, and support staff, renowned for obtaining successful outcomes for clients. He specialised in Criminal Law from the outset and has successfully defended a myriad of cases, ranging from motoring offences to allegations of Murder. His highest profile case was a three month Trial at The Old Bailey, involving multiple Defendants, where his client was the only one found Not Guilty. John is also a member of Duty Solicitor schemes for both Court and Police Stations. His continued passion for assisting those facing the entire spectrum of allegations remains the driving force behind the company.

LYNSEY OLDHAM

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor and Legal Cashier
Lynsey joined LHD Solicitors in July 2020, having worked in the legal profession for nearly 20 years. Lynsey came to LHD with aspirations of becoming a Solicitor herself and we were keen to have her on board and having completed her CILEx studies and SQE, Lynsey is now a qualified solicitor. Lynsey also looks after LHDs accounts to ensure this closely scrutinised area is compliant with The Solicitors Regulation Authority rules. At home, Lynsey has a young family and takes time out on a Wednesday night when she plays in the Morecambe Ladies Darts League.

PAUL CLARKE

Job Titles:
  • Crown Court Clerk
Paul is the senior legal clerk within our Crown Court department. He joined the firm in 2003 but has over 30 years of experience working on Crown Court cases and is respected by Counsel and the Courts. His knowledge of local practice and practitioners at every level is extremely beneficial. He has overseen the successful defence on a wide variety of matters including serious matters such as Murder, complex Proceeds of Crime Applications and Terrorism.

TONY McCRINK

Job Titles:
  • Magistrates Court Clerk & Accredited Police Station Representative
Tony joined the firm in 2001 and quickly became a trusted member of LHD's case preparation team. He is the senior legal clerk in the Magistrates' Court department and is an Accredited Police Station Representative. Tony has many years of experience dealing with an array of offences up to and including complex Conspiracy cases and Murder. He has extensive knowledge of all areas of Criminal Law which he applies in his dealings with cases both at the police station and when preparing cases for Court.

VICKY SAVAGE

Job Titles:
  • Magistrates Court Clerk and Accredited Police Station Representative
Vicky joined our team full time in early 2023 having worked as one of our accredited representatives for a number of years.

Zach Evans

Job Titles:
  • Magistrates Court Clerk and Trainee Solicitor