Flourishing Yorkshire law firm Hartley & Worstenholme has made four new appointments. The firm with offices currently in Pontefract and Castleford has ambitious growth plans and is making significant investment in both infrastructure and people to ensure their vision can be realised.

Claire Garside has joined the family department after working in Leeds. Claire has 13 years’ experience working in legal services and became a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (FILEX) in 2006. She specialises in all aspects of matrimonial and family law including care proceedings.

Claire is also a member of the Mental Health Review accreditation scheme run by the Law Society. Claire has previously been instructed by the Official Solicitor to represent clients who lack the capacity to give instructions.

Josephine Cuttill joins the Wills & Probate team as a legal executive. Josephine has over 15 years’ experience specialising in all aspects of private client work. She also deals with residential property transactions linked to private client matters.

Oliver Cashman joins the Litigation department as a solicitor. After graduating from Bristol University Oliver trained at a firm in Chester and then worked for a Leeds solicitor. He specialises in Employment Law, Commercial and Civil Litigation dealing with a range of disputes.

Amy McIntosh, joins a highly motivated team within Hartley & Worstenholme’s Estate Agency. Amy has worked in the residential property market in West Yorkshire for a number of years. She is keen to promote the benefits of having an Estate Agency and solicitor under one roof.

Christopher Wilton, Senior Partner, comments “We are delighted to be expanding the firm at such a challenging time. Our employees are key to our success and we are delighted that we are attracting such experienced professionals.”

For further information please contact Jonathan Sharp on 01977 732222 or by email.

Media Contact:
Lisa Lister, Director, Progress Marketing Ltd, Tel: 01924 849 335, email: lisalister@progressmarketing.co.uk

Hartley & Worstenholme Solicitors have appointed two new partners to join their expanding team.

Jonathan Sharp joined the firm in 2004 and has built a reputation as a determined and talented commercial lawyer. His practice covers all aspects of commercial property and general commercial law. Having previously worked in banking he has specific practical experience and business-like insight into client needs. He also sits on the board of a number of local voluntary organisations.

Jonathan comments: “I am delighted to have been appointed partner of Hartley & Worstenholme and I look forward to contributing to the future success and growth of the firm as a provider of excellent legal services.”

Victoria Maude qualified as a solicitor in 2007, after completing her training contract with the firm. She specialises in the area of Wills and Probate.

Victoria comments: “I am very excited about being appointed as a partner of Hartley & Worstenholme. The wills and probate department has an outstanding reputation and serve clients not just in the Pontefract and Castleford area, but nationally and internationally. I am looking forward to the new challenges that partnership will bring.”

Managing Partner, Christopher Wilton, says: “We are thrilled that we are able to invite two such dedicated solicitors to become partners of the firm. Hartley & Worstenholme Solicitors continues to move from strength to strength in the provision of high quality legal services to the people and businesses in Yorkshire and beyond.”

Other developments at Hartley & Worstenholme include the appointment of Paul Haslam as Practice Manager. Paul has been at the firm for over 10 years as Accounts Manager. He will oversee the firm’s two offices in Pontefract and Castleford. His responsibility is to drive and manage the sizeable investment in the IT infrastructure and ambitious marketing plans that will ensure the firm can compete and continue to deliver excellent client service in the future.

For further information please contact Christopher Wilton on 01977 732222 or by email.

Hartley & Worstenholme’s participation in the Will Aid Campaign in November 2009 raised an incredible £2,370 for the Charity.  With the addition of gift aid, the overall donation is likely to be approximately £3,000.

“We have been involved in the charity for over 5 years now, but are particularly delighted with the interest in this year’s scheme. It is estimated that around two thirds of people in the UK die without having made a valid will, which only leads to complications for family and friends.  Schemes of this nature can encourage everyone in the local community to get their affairs in order by drawing up their will and at the same time help nine of the UK’s best loved charities.”, said David Gaythorpe – partner at Hartley & Worstenholme Solicitors.

The Will Aid Campaign is founded on the principle that everyone should have a will.  Without a will, when somebody dies their estate is distributed according to the rules set down in legislation.  People often think that they are OK because everything will go to their “next of kin”.  However, this is not always entirely true and, even when this would be the case, the rules could be changed by the Government at any time.  The only way to be certain that you influence what happens to your property when you die is to make a will.  By engaging a solicitor to advise you and to prepare a draft will, you can be sure that you have considered all the possible consequences of leaving your estate in a particular way and that the will properly and effectively reflects your wishes.

Hartley & Worstenholme offer a complete will service at competitive prices.  To find out more, go to the Wills section on our website, www.hartley-worstenholme.co.uk, or contact David Gaythorpe on 01977 732222, email: pc@hartley-worstenholme.co.uk

After a great deal of work in the background, Hartley & Worstenholme’s new website opened to the public on 13th January.

Clients can contact both the solicitors’ practice and Hartley & Worstenholme’s Estate Agency from the site, as well as viewing the firms areas of expertise and all the properties for sale or to let. It is intended that the site will not be static and additional features and information will continue to be added.