WHN SOLICITORS LIMITED - Key Persons
Amy joined WHN Solicitors in November 2024 from Russell & Russell Solicitors where she began her legal career as a training assistant in 2014 and then qualified as a solicitor.
As part of WHN's commercial property team based in our Blackburn office, Amy deals with a range of commercial property matters on behalf of companies and individuals with a particular focus on preparing new leases and lease transfers.
She has a LLB degree from BPP University Law School and gained her LPC and LL.M qualifications from The University of Law.
Andrea originally joined the firm in 1986 as an office junior.
She has since worked in various secretarial and administrative roles across the business before working her way up to paralegal in 2018. She is a key member of the firm's wills, trusts and probate team, working alongside Stephen Parr and Catherine Hamilton on estate administration and probate matters.
Andrea's main area of expertise is probate, advising clients on all aspects of the probate process including obtaining grants and dealing with the distribution of estates.
Job Titles:
- Business Development and Marketing Assistant
Carl joined WHN Solicitors in October 2024 as a residential conveyancer, having previously worked at Birchall Blackburn Law for four years in a similar role.
Based at our Clitheroe office, Carl supports individuals and families across the Ribble Valley on residential property matters, dealing with all elements of buying, selling and transferring residential property.
He has extensive experience in new builds, leasehold flats and shared ownership properties.
Carl holds a degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management from The University of Central Lancashire and aims to gain a Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) qualification to further strengthen his legal expertise in conveyancing and residential property law.
Caroline joined the firm in 2005 and was appointed as tax and trust manager in 2013.
Based at WHN's Haslingden office, Caroline specialises in the management of trusts and dealing with trust taxation. She also deals with private client individual tax returns, the day-to-day management of deputyship files and reporting to the Office of the Public Guardian on deputyship matters.
In addition, Caroline also undertakes probate work and deals with estates involving the creation of trust funds.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Member of the Law Society
Carolynne has over 20 years' experience having worked as a conveyancing solicitor in several local legal firms.
As part of WHN's residential team servicing clients across the Ribble Valley, she deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing including property sales, purchases and remortgages.
A member of the Law Society, Carolynne also provides helpful support on purchasing and selling flats and newbuilds as well as advising on shared ownership and Help to Buy schemes.
Catherine joined the firm in 1996 as a trainee, before qualifying as a solicitor in 1998.
She now works in the wills, trusts and probate team at WHN's Haslingden office and specialises in wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection deputyship matters.
Catherine joined WHN in June 2024 having previously worked at Butcher & Barlow Solicitors in Bury, where she qualified as solicitor in residential conveyancing.
Prior to that, Catherine worked for nearly a decade as a caseworker and supervisor at Rossendale and Hyndburn Citizens Advice Bureau.
In her role as a solicitor at our Haslingden office, Catherine supports our clients on matters regarding residential property, property sales and mortgages, and transfers of equity. She manages each client case from client care to completion, dealing with enquiries, drafting documents, reporting to clients and advising on their legal questions.
Catherine has a degree in English from Manchester Metropolitan University and then gained a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at Huddersfield. She has since completed her Legal Practice Course (LPC) at BPP Law School Manchester and is a member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Charlotte joined Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors as a conveyancing solicitor in September 2024.
As part of the conveyancing team in our Haslingden office, she supports clients on all aspects of the process of buying and selling residential property, as well as remortgages and transfers of equity.
Claire joined WHN in November 2023 from Davis Blank Furniss and has more than 30 years' experience in all aspects of residential conveyancing.
She is based primarily at our Bury office and supports our clients across the North West with a wide range of issues including leasehold and freehold properties, new builds, shared ownership, purchase of land, transfer of equity, purchase of freehold and surrender and re-grant of leases.
Clare joined our wills, trusts and probate team in 2021, having previously worked at Southerns Solicitors where she headed up its private client team.
Clare is also head of the firm's Accrington office, where she is based.
Specialising in wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Court of Protection applications, probate and all aspects relating to the administration of estates, Clare's expertise lies in helping clients ensure their financial, property and other assets are passed on in accordance with their wishes after they die.
Daniel began his legal career with a niche commercial practice in Manchester in 2003, before joining Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors as a director in 2022.
Daniel specialises in commercial property law and is highly skilled in dealing with all aspects of both residential and commercial development work.
Acting for housing developers and commercial property investors on new developments, Daniel also supports owner managed businesses and SMEs through the transactional process of buying, selling and leasing property.
Daniel Long is also personally recognised in Chambers and Partners for his expertise in resolving disputes between commercial landlords and tenants. The publication also recognises Paul Matthews, head of WHN's corporate and commercial team, for his work in mergers and acquisitions and his support for SME and owner managed businesses.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Specialist
Eleanor is a leading specialist nationally in long leasehold dispute resolution and her experience also covers wider long leasehold disputes which include cladding matters (partly arising from the Grenfell tragedy) and regular instructions from landlords to enforce lease covenants, following various breaches, such as those relating to use, nuisance and/or Airbnb lettings. Eleanor also regularly receives disrepair instructions from tenants (often roof damage / water ingress) and acts for landlords and tenants in connection with the right to manage, appointment of a manager, enfranchisement and freehold acquisition processes.
Elizabeth first joined the firm in 1992 and has been working as a conveyancing executive since 2014.
She is an associate member of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and is continuing her studies to become a Fellow member.
Elizabeth specialises in residential conveyancing, dealing with all aspects of the process of selling and purchasing homes, including but not limited to, transfer of equity, mortgages and remortgages, new builds and help-to-buy, staircasing on shared ownership properties and land registry applications.
In addition, Elizabeth leads the conveyancing team at the firm's Rawtenstall Office.
Emily joined WHN Solicitors as a paralegal in November 2024. She previously worked at Napthens as a legal assistant in its probate department then moved to specialise in commercial property law.
Emily supports the commercial property team at WHN's Blackburn office, preparing legal documents and helping to manage the team's busy caseload.
With a first-class honours degree in Law from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) that she gained in 2020, Emily completed her Masters in Law at UCLan in 2021. She now has her sights set on continuing her training and study to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to become a qualified solicitor
Job Titles:
- Trainee Solicitor
- Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor
- Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
- Professional Member of Solicitors for the Elderly
Helen first joined the firm in 1990 as a trainee before qualifying as a solicitor in 1992. She rejoined Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors in 2014 and is now a senior associate solicitor, as well as head of the firm's Great Harwood office.
Helen has specialised in probate, the administration of estates, wills, elderly client work, trusts and taxations since becoming a solicitor, and is particularly skilled in complex estate matters.
Part of WHN's wills, trusts and probate team, Helen is a full professional member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and holds the SFE Older Client Care in Practice Award. This ensures that she is able to offer expert advice to older clients on all areas, including advising on the funding of long-term care.
Helen is also a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) - the leading worldwide professional body of practitioners in the field of trusts, estates and related issues - and obtained a STEP diploma in trusts and estates in 2007.
In addition, Helen advises on conveyancing in the administration of an estate or when dealing with the affairs of older clients.
Joanne joined WHN solicitors in August 2024. She qualified in 2004 and has worked in legal practice as a solicitor in Lancashire for over 20 years.
As part of WHN's civil litigation team, Joanne deals with all aspects of civil litigation including landlord and tenant disputes, debt recovery, civil disputes and injury claims.
Joanne has an LLB Honours Law degree from UCLan and completed her Legal Practice Course (LPC) at UCLan.
Joanne is also a mediator and is a member of the Law Society.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development and Marketing
Ashley joined WHN in December 2023 as an assistant supporting Julie Sutherland, the firm's Director of Business Development and Marketing.
Ashley's remit includes managing WHN's social media channels, organising charitable and networking events as well as managing the firm's CRM system to produce marketing information and newsletters for promoting the firm's wide range of legal services offered across its nine offices.
Ashley has a Level 3 extended diploma in engineering from Myerscough College which she completed in June 2023 with Distinction. She is currently studying at UCLAN as part of its Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice scheme.
Away from work, Ashley is a professional race driver competing in the Vertu Motors Mini Challenge Trophy. During her years of study prior to joining WHN, Ashley worked as a freelance race mechanic, travelling around Europe working with German and English race teams.
Following a successful career in facilities management, Justine joined the firm in 2016 as a paralegal, became a trainee solicitor in 2018 and qualified as a solicitor in 2020.
Based in the corporate and commercial team at the firm's Bury office, Justine advises companies of sizes, ranging from family-owned businesses to corporate groups, along with partnerships, sole traders, charities and individuals.
She specialises in corporate matters including company and business sales and acquisitions, company incorporation, constitution and structure, share sales and buybacks, and corporate property work.
Justine also has expertise in a range of commercial matters including general contracts, terms and conditions, distribution agreements and contractor agreements.
Job Titles:
- Senior Chartered Legal Executive
Job Titles:
- Head Cashier & Estates Manager
Job Titles:
- Chartered Legal Executive
Job Titles:
- Associate Solicitor, Head of Civil Litigation
Job Titles:
- Head of People and Culture
CEO Michael Shroot and director Sara Beaumont have been ranked by Legal 500 for their ‘professional and efficient' advice in dispute resolution and property litigation, with director, Daniel Long, described as being at ‘the top of his game' within property litigation. Senior associate solicitor, Eleanor Longworth, is also recognised as a ‘rising star'.
Job Titles:
- Finance Director
- Practice Manager
Job Titles:
- Director & Head of Corporate and Commercial Team
Job Titles:
- Independent Financial Adviser
Samuel Woodcock (1764 to 1843) began practicing in Bury in February 1791 after an apprenticeship in Preston. This business was continued by his direct descendants under the title of Samuel Woodcock & Sons in Broad Street, Bury. The nephew of Samuel Woodcock, James Woodcock (1798 to 1835) began to practice as a solicitor in Haslingden in 1821 and that firm later became known as Woodcock & Sons
Job Titles:
- Independent Chartered Financial Planner
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Solicitor