McCormicks

Brian Nuttney

Brian is a Senior Associate Solicitor specialising in all aspects of Crime. He appears regularly in the Magistrates' Courts and police stations across North Yorkshire and further afield, representing clients across a wide range of criminal and motoring offences. He is a qualified police station representative and holds Duty Solicitor status. He also has substantial experience preparing cases for the Crown Court, advising clients and instructing Counsel in a wide range of matters including serious sexual offences, including historic sex offences, violence, drugs and fraud. Brian has successfully represented clients charged with offences such as rape, robbery, fraud and theft. His approach includes a thorough analysis of the prosecution case, a strong understanding of case law, detailed preparation, and the effective use of expert witnesses to find evidence that supports his client's defence.

Claire Baker-Kemp

Claire has extensive experience in commercial property transactions, which includes: acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold commercial properties including offices, shopping centres, business parks, retail premises, industrial units, residential care homes, hotels, pubs and restaurants transactional landlord and tenant work including lease renewals and assignments acquisition of land for residential and commercial development acquisition of land for the development of telecommunications infrastructure portfolio acquisitions and subsequent break-up and disposals management of client property portfolios secured lending acquisitions and disposal of agricultural land and buildings Claire has worked in both private practice and, more recently in-house and has joined McCormicks from an investment company where she managed the legal aspects of the extensive property portfolio, including the provision of related strategic and commercial advice to the board, and dealt with freehold and leasehold property acquisitions and disposals and landlord and tenant matters. Since qualifying as a solicitor, Claire has acted for the NHS, a major supermarket chain, the Department of Transport, an international shopping centre developer, financial institutions, local authorities, property developers, companies, landowners, partnerships, sole traders and individuals.

David Birks

David is the Head of the Commercial Disputes and Sports Litigation Team. The team offers a wide range of litigation services to both individuals and businesses, which incorporates Corporate and Commercial Recovery and Insolvency. Before becoming a solicitor David headed up the North Yorkshire Trading Standards Consumer Advice Team and Special Investigations Team dealing with Regulatory matters and specialising in Anti-counterfeiting matters. David has also spent time working for the Department of Trade and Industry specialising in Directors Disqualification and Insolvency. David is a member of R3. David has significant experience with matters involving: breach of contract, unfair prejudice claims, partnership disputes, professional negligence (claimant and defendant), landlord and tenant, dilapidations claims, HM Land Registry and matters with multi-jurisdictional elements, sports disputes (arbitrations, tribunals and FA, Premier League and EFL regulatory matters). His specialisms are in insolvency (individual and corporate) and Directors Disqualification Act Proceedings. In relation to regulatory matters, David acts for professionals in relation to disciplinary matters, with a particular emphasis on registered pharmacists. This work is wide ranging, involving aspects including representation before professional regulators. David brings an approach which will always be tailored to client priorities. It is always proportionate to the matter in hand and involves a cost benefit analysis at the earliest possible stage. David advocates all appropriate forms of alternative dispute resolution to seek to resolve disputes as quickly and cost effectively as possible. David acts for a broad range of clients, including insurers, national and international corporates, entrepreneurs, large family estates, insolvency practitioners (and those facing claims by them), charities, the Premier League, Leeds United FC and professional players and managers. David’s team can offer advice and experience in other matters such as: All aspects of Commercial Litigation including business, Partnership and Company disputes. Regulatory matters including Public Contract Procurement. Sports and Regulatory disputes. Property litigation including advising on commercial leases and property disputes. Professional negligence claims. Employment litigation particularly in respect of the commercial impact on business where contracts of employment are breached. Mediation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – advising and guiding clients through the ADR process with a view to reducing costs of Litigation. Directors Disqualification Act proceedings Matters relating to Insolvency and Bankruptcy including both personal and corporate Insolvency.

David Leuchars

David Leuchars is a Solicitor in our Corporate and Commercial Department. He graduated from Staffordshire University with a degree in Sports Law and completed his LPC at BPP University in Leeds. He completed his training contract as part of an in-house legal team. He assists the head of department, James Towler, in acting for individuals and companies on corporate transactions for the sale or purchase of businesses or shares; reviewing and advising on company and business structure including drafting partnership and shareholders’ agreements and articles of association; assisting with incorporations, re-structuring and general company administration; negotiating and reviewing a wide range of commercial contracts, including agency and sub-contractor agreements; and updating terms and conditions and privacy policies. David spends a considerable amount of his time working on Sports matters, since many of the Department’s clients operate in that sector.

Elaine Lightfoot

Elaine Lightfoot heads up our Private Client Department. Elaine's areas of expertise include Wills, Trusts, Settlements, Inheritance Tax Planning, the Administration of Estates and Trusts of all sizes and complexities, together with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. Elaine also advises in respect of care home fees planning.

Iain Jenkins

Iain Jenkins heads up our Employment Department. Iain specialises in Employment Law and Data Protection cases. His employment work, primarily for employers, spans all aspects of the subject including advice to managers on resolving HR issues, contractual arrangements and worker status, negotiated exits and severance packages for senior executives, issues around employment protection, including Tupe, discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing. He has extensive experience in restrictive covenants and confidentiality cases. Iain has conducted numerous cases in the Employment Tribunal and High Court relating to Employment matters. He also supports the Corporate Team on transactions and commercial contracts. Iain is also a CEDR Accredited Mediator and Accredited Workplace Mediator. He has mediated a number of Commercial and Employment disputes. Iain's Data Protection work includes regulatory compliance, subject access requests and data protection litigation. Iain provides clear, practical and commercial advice which leads to cost effective outcomes. Iain is a Trustee of two local charities.

James Towler

James is a Partner and heads up the Company/Commercial Department. He has practised in corporate and commercial law throughout his career and routinely advises on buying and selling shares and businesses, joint ventures, shareholder and partnership agreements, commercial agreements and terms and conditions. James has particular expertise in sports law. His clients are both domestic and international from sectors including football and other sports, retail, manufacturing, online business and agriculture. Recent/current clients include Leeds United Football Club, the Premier League, Norwich City Football Club, Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, Abacus Direct, Atlas Helicopters, Curzon and Company, Redline and Up and Running.

Katy Maskell-Edwards

Katy Maskell-Edwards is an experienced Solicitor who leads the Residential Property Team. She qualified as a Property Solicitor in 2001 and has a wealth of knowledge having worked in private practice and the Residential Property sector throughout her career. Combined with the Commercial Department, McCormicks offer a wide range of services to deal with all aspects of Property transactions on behalf of individuals, Buy to Let Landlords and Companies. The Residential services include:- Freehold/Leasehold Transactions Attorney, Owner/Occupier and Probate sales Purchases for home ownership, Buy to Let and land Help to Buy Isa or Lifetime Isa Transfers of Equity Statutory Lease Extensions Leasehold Management Pack Documentation Declaration of Trusts Statutory Declarations/Statements of Truth Voluntary Registration of Unregistered Land Unilateral Undertakings/S106 Agreements

Lucy Harbron

Lucy is a Solicitor in our Family Department. She assists the Head of Family, Stephen Hopwood in acting for a broad range of clients in all aspects of Family law including divorce, finances; resolving disputes about children; separation agreements; cohabitation issues and cohabitation agreements; pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements; and family law injunctions. Lucy graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in History. She then completed the Graduate Diploma Law and Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Leeds. Lucy then completed her two year training contract at McCormicks in the Family Department under the supervision of Stephen Hopwood.

Peter Minnikin

Peter is Head of the Crime, Corporate Crime and Risk Department at McCormicks. Peter is a Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate specialising in all aspects of Crime, Corporate Crime, Fraud and Regulatory work. He appears regularly in the Magistrates Court and police stations to represent clients in respect of a full range of criminal and motoring offences. He is frequently instructed to represent clients as a Higher Court Advocate at proceedings before the Crown Court, often being instructed to represent defendants charged with sexual offences, fraud and violent offences. Peter has expertise in dealing with substantial and high profile cases, working closely with King's Counsel and other Counsel. He has represented clients charged with serious fraud offences including prosecutions by HMRC and SFO including cases classified as VHCC . He is often instructed to represent clients charged in relation to conspiracy to supply drugs cases. These cases involve careful consideration of thousands of pages of evidence, including detailed examination of phone and financial records. Peter has successfully represented clients charged with serious and violent offences including murder and manslaughter as well as serious sexual offences, including historic sexual offences, where he has achieved successful results for clients by his detailed analysis of each case, including scrutinising prosecution material that is not relied upon, to successfully find evidence that supports his client’s case. Peter handled one of the leading Computer Misuse Act cases, which set the precedent for “ethical hacking” in this country. Peter deals with a portfolio of Regulatory work including representing clients in disciplinary proceedings brought by professional bodies, such as solicitors, accountants, pharmacists, doctors, sporting bodies and individuals. Peter deals with a variety of matters involving firearms and shotgun certificate law, often assisting those who have had their firearms or shotgun certificates revoked or suspended.

Shah Ahmed

Shah is a Solicitor working in the Crime and Fraud Department and deals with all aspects of Criminal Defence Law. Shah previously worked at a firm in Leeds, where he worked as a Solicitor specialising in Crown Court cases, and obtained a wealth of experience preparing serious cases and working alongside many barristers who are now themselves Judges and King’s Counsel. Shah qualified as a Solicitor in 2012 and is also a fully accredited police station representative. He has been regularly attending police stations across Yorkshire and beyond dealing with every type of offence; from minor road traffic offences to more serious allegations of murder. He also represents clients at the Magistrates’ Courts and is confident in his advocacy. He has worked closely with Counsel in the Crown Court when clients have been charged with the most serious crimes, including terrorism and murder. Shah uses the wealth of experience gained over the last 10 years to defend his clients to a very high standard and prides himself on his exceptional client care.

Stephen Hopwood

Stephen is the Managing Partner and heads the McCormicks Family Department, ranked as one of the leading Family/Matrimonial practices in the Region by the leading independent Guides to the profession, the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. Stephen joined the firm after seven years as a Senior Solicitor in a large specialist Family Law Practice. Stephen specialises in all aspects of Family work, with a focus on finance and children. He is equally specialist in resolving normal family breakdowns and those with complex elements such as trusts and international elements. Stephen is very committed to client care and very interested in each case, no matter how large or small.

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