Lancashire law firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors has made three key appointments as part of its ongoing expansion strategy.
Hayley Wharton has qualified as a solicitor, while Louise Thornsby has been awarded a training contract and Andrea Barker promoted to paralegal.
Hayley recently completed the training contract she started in January 2017. She joined WHN Solicitors as a paralegal while completing her legal practice course in 2014.
In order to qualify as a solicitor, Hayley had to undergo a series of exams, as well as gaining experience in WHN’s civil litigation team.
Based at the firm’s Bury office, Hayley’s areas of expertise include residential landlord and tenant disputes, contractual matters, land and boundary issues and debt recovery. She is also a member of the Law Society.
Louise joined Bury-based WHN in March this year as a paralegal and expects to complete her 18-month training contract and qualify as a solicitor in March 2020.
Louise works mainly in the commercial dispute resolution department, handling contract disputes and debt recovery matters, as well as in the employment and private litigation teams.
Louise completed a Graduate Diploma in Law in 2015 and Legal Practice Course in 2016, both at the University of Law in Manchester. Previously, she attended Manchester University, where she graduated in English Literature and American Studies.
Meanwhile, Andrea, who is based at the firm’s Haslingden office, has been promoted to paralegal. Andrea originally started working at WHN in 1986 as an office junior and has had several secretarial and administrative roles since.
She is a key member of the firm’s private client team, working alongside Berin Jones, Stephen Parr and Catherine Hamilton on estate administration and probate matters, advising clients on all aspects of the probate process including obtaining grants and dealing with the distribution of estates.
David McCann, who is a director at WHN Solicitors commented: “The promotions reflect a strong commitment to developing people within the firm in a way that enables them to grow professionally and personally, while enhancing the firm’s reservoir of skills and knowledge.
“I am confident that Hayley, Louise and Andrea will be great successes in their various roles and contribute significantly to the quality and depth of our service offer.”
