CLARK WILLIS SOLICITORS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director, TEP, Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts
- Member of Our Senior Management Team
- Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
Alex is a member of our Senior Management Team and Head of our Private Client department and qualified as a solicitor in 2005. Alex is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) and, prior to joining Clark Willis in 2019, led a 10 strong Private Client team at a notable Yorkshire law firm, providing Alex with a wealth of experience in assisting individuals, business owners, agricultural clients and trustees with estate planning, business succession and Inheritance tax advice.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Director, Property
- Member of Resolution
- Specialist in All Areas of Family Law
Alister returned to Clark Willis as a Partner in 2019 and heads up our Residential and Commercial Property team. He previously worked for the firm from 2006 until 2012, before moving to practise in York and being appointed as a Partner at one of North Yorkshire's oldest and most established firms.
Alister is also a specialist in all areas of Family Law, being an Accredited Specialist solicitor with Resolution in the areas of Children Matters and Matrimonial Finances.
The process of buying and selling property can be complicated. Alister is a skilled conveyancer who makes sure his clients know exactly what is going on throughout their transaction. The importance of good communication with property clients cannot be underestimated and Alister ensures that all clients feel supported by him directly, throughout the process.
When undertaking family law work, Alister is a modern family solicitor, focusing on achieving the most amicable outcomes for his clients. His work as a Collaborative Lawyer and Family Mediator helps him to fully understand the family law system and to give expert advice to clients, enabling them to make fully informed decisions about their matters.
Alister is a member of Resolution, the largest and most prominent group of Family Lawyers in England and Wales, who all aim to help clients resolve their matters in the best way possible. He is also a Specialist Accredited Family solicitor with Resolution in relation to Children Matters and Matrimonial Finances, confirming his expertise in those areas.
Alister is a Collaborative Family Lawyer, having undertaken his training with Resolution.
Ben is a Trainee Solicitor in our Family Law team. He joined Clark Willis in January 2022 as a Paralegal and then commenced his training contract in September 2022.
Charis is responsible for the firm's accounts department and holds Institute of Legal Finance and Management qualifications.
Job Titles:
- Catterick Garrison Reception
- Receptionist at Our Catterick Garrison
Claire is the receptionist at our Catterick Garrison office and provides additional support to our Residential Property and Family teams.
Courtney is a trainee solicitor in our Private Client team and is due to qualify as a solicitor in April 2024.
Job Titles:
- Office Administration Assistant
Emily is a paralegal in our Family Law team at Darlington.
Faye qualified as a solicitor in 2023 having joined the firm as trainee solicitor in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Assistant to Alex Spurr
- Wills & Probate Assistant
Jay is the assistant to Alex Spurr who heads up our Wills & Probate team. Jay provides organisational support to Alex and the wider team and helps with the daily running of their cases. Jay deals with all new enquiries that come into the team at Darlington and is available to talk and liaise with new clients as well as offering admin support to the whole team.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Property
Jo joined the firm in 2020 having spent a period of time as Director of a specialist conveyancing firm. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2008 at Northumbria University.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
Karen joined the firm in 2024 and is a respected adviser in all areas of family law, having worked in Darlington for over 40 years.
Job Titles:
- Northallerton Reception
- Northallerton Reception / Office Administration
Karyn is the receptionist at our Northallerton office.
Job Titles:
- Probate Executive, Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts
Louise joined the firm in November 2020 from Coles Solicitors in Northallerton and is working within the Wills & Probate team dealing with Will writing, Estate Administrations and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Louise has a wealth of Private Client experience across North Yorkshire.
Lydia is an assistant in the residential property team.
Marie is an assistant in the residential property team.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal - Wills & Probate
- Paralegal in the Wills & Probate Team Assisting With Wills
Negar is a paralegal in the Wills & Probate team assisting with Wills, LPAs, Tax Planning, Trusts and Estate Administrations (Probate) across our Darlington and Northallerton offices.
Nichola joined Clark Willis in 2004. Nichola is our Practice Manager
Job Titles:
- Associate Solicitor, Family
Nicola joined the firm in 2020, after qualifying as a solicitor in 2017 with a well known regional firm, and alongside being a solicitor is also a accredited mediator. Nicola is keen to help clients resolve disputes amicably where possible for the benefit of her clients.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Member of the Children Panel
- Senior Associate, Family
Philip qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and has been with Clark Willis since 1998. Philip has worked as a family solicitor since this time.
Philip is a member of the Children Panel which is a specialist accreditation for representation of children in Care proceedings. Philip is also accredited on the Law Society Family Law Panel in respect of children matters between parents and domestic abuse. Philip is also a member of Resolution, a membership group of family law practitioners.
Rachael is an assistant in the residential property team.
Job Titles:
- Licensed Conveyancer, Property
Rachel rejoined the firm in September 2023, having worked for Clark Willis previously, and is working within the Residential Property team dealing with property sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity. Rachel has a wealth of residential conveyancing experience across the Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire having previously worked at both a leading regional law firm and specialist residential conveyancing practices..
Shannon is a trainee solicitor in our family law team and is due to qualify as a solicitor in July 2024. She joined the firm from another local solicitors practice in March 2024 to finish her training period with Clark Willis.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Executive, Property
Sophie joined the firm in December 2019 from Latimer Hinks solicitors and is working within the Residential Property team dealing with property sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity. Sophie has a wealth of residential conveyancing experience across the Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Darlington Reception
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Director, Family, Mediator
- Member of Resolution
- Member of the Association of Lawyers
- Member of the Children Panel
Tanya joined the firm in 2006 as a Trainee Solicitor working within family, crime and property before qualifying in 2008. Tanya became a partner in 2014 and also heads up our Family Team.
Tanya is a member of Resolution which is a membership group of family practitioners.
Tanya is a member of the Children Panel and Association of Lawyers for children.
Tanya is a committee member on the Resolution Legal Aid Committee.