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

Partner

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 McCormick OBE

Peter McCormick is the Senior Partner at McCormicks. He is an internationally recognised expert in Sports and Media and Entertainment Law. He is described by "Business Insider" Magazine as one of the "corporate elite" of Yorkshire and ranked as one of the most powerful business figures in the region. Regarded as one of the top sports lawyers in the UK, Peter is best known as the Chairman of the Legal Advisory Group of the Premier League and Chairman of the League’s Football Board, both Executive positions. In August 2015, he was unanimously elected by the 20 Clubs of the League to be the League's nominated Director of the Football Association (F.A.), a member of the F.A. Council and Chairman of the Professional Game Board of the F.A. Prior to these appointments, he was Chairman of the Premier League 2014/15. Peter now holds a number of significant appointments at the F.A., including: Council member, representing the Premier League; Chairman of the Professional Game Board; and Chairman of the Panel of International Ambassadors, representing England at matches away from Wembley. He is also a member of the Football Regulatory Authority (elected by the Premier League and the Professional Game Board of the F.A.), which performs the Regulatory, Disciplinary and Rule-making functions of the F.A.; and the F.A. Challenge Cup Committee. In November 2020, he was appointed Chairman of the F.A., serving a term ending on 3 January 2022. On 13 January 2022, he was elected Chairman of the Premier League for the second time. In July 2016 he was appointed Chairman of FA Premier League Medical Care Scheme Ltd, a private health insurance scheme operated for the benefit of the 92 Premier League and EFL Clubs. Peter Chairs Tribunals and Appeals for the League, Football Association and Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. He is Chairman of the Premier League Stadium Fund Ltd, a Trustee of the Football Foundation (the UK’s largest sporting charity) and a Chairman of Sport Resolutions (UK). He is also an experienced Arbitrator and Mediator. He advises businesses, organisations and individuals on Corporate and Commercial, Commercial Litigation, Media and Entertainment, Regulatory and Disciplinary, Defamation and Reputation Management issues. Peter is also a leading national figure in Charities Law. He advises charity clients on a local and regional basis and also national charities, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and The Outward Bound Trust. He is Chairman of the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation, Chairman of War Memorials Trust and a Trustee of the Helen Feather Memorial Trust and several other charities. He was awarded the OBE for services to charity on 1 January 2000. He was awarded the Order of Mercy, in July 2016, by the League of Mercy Foundation, for outstanding voluntary service. Peter was voted the inaugural Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year and Niche Practice Lawyer of the Year by the Yorkshire Law Societies. He was the inaugural Chairman of Visit Harrogate, the Destination Management Organisation for business and leisure tourism in the Harrogate district, one of the largest in the country. In 2008, Peter received the Lifetime Achievement in Business Award at the Ackrill Media Group Business Awards.

Peter Minnikin

Partner

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

Partner