Team

Colin Warner

Having left college after finishing his A-levels, Colin joined a local firm of Solicitors as a legal clerk, undertaking his degree and finals part time in the evenings. Colin began dealing with family work at the inception of the Children Act 1989, before moving to Waddington & Son to head up the Family Department in 2007. He was made a partner during 2008 and became the firm’s sole Director in June 2017.

Colin has been on the Children’s Panel since 2008 and now, almost exclusively, represents children through their Guardians, conducting as much of the advocacy as possible, with a reputation of being able to take urgent and complex cases. He also deals with divorce and ancillary relief. Colin also heads up the Court of Protection team, being one of only nine Court of Protection Professional Panel Deputies in the north west. He was a member of the inaugural training committee and remains a member, responsible for the Lancashire Family Justice Conference that takes place annually. Colin was invited to speak on behalf of the profession at His Honour Judge Rawkins’ (DFJ, Lancashire) valedictory in 2016.

He is also a member of the Lancashire Family Justice Council and of the Adoption Best Practice Forum in Lancashire. Colin is a member of the Professional Deputies’ Forum which has recently been formed to give professional Deputies a voice. He has represented parties in the following reported cases:- LCC and A,B,Z

www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2018/1819.html

www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2016/9.html

Trish Hassell

Trish has worked within the legal sector since leaving school. Whilst starting employment in an administrative role, she went on to qualify as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Not content with that, she went on to study Law and graduated with a Graduate Diploma with Commendation from the University of Central Lancashire, alongside working full time in Private Practice. She subsequently completed the Legal Practice Course with Distinction a year later, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2003. In 2003, Trish commenced employment as an Assistant Solicitor in the Family Department of a Morecambe based firm, but progressed to Head of Department in a large high street practice in Lancaster in 2010 where she remained until May 2018. In 2018 Trish joined Waddington & Son, and in 2019 became the firm’s first female Director in it’s 125 year history. Following the firm’s success in Burnley, Trish now continues her role as a Family Solicitor whilst managing the recently acquired and renovated Blackburn Office. Trish initially practiced all areas of Family Law but now specialises in Local Authority care proceedings, and in particular representing children and parents in complex cases. Trish has been a Member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel since 2012 as well as being a Member of, and Accredited Specialist, with Resolution.

Charlotte Fitzpatrick

Charlotte joined Waddington & Son in July 2012 having worked at her previous firm of solicitors for seven years having qualified in November 2011. Charlotte joined the Board of Directors in June 2024.  Charlotte is a member of the Law Society Children’s Panel and an accredited member of Resolution and works within the Family Department. She specialises in dealing in proceedings brought by the Local Authority representing parents, grandparents and children.

Nicola Mawson

Nicola qualified as a Solicitor in 2009 and joined Waddington and Son in November 2021. Nicola has extensive experience in several areas of law but specialises in Court of Protection Deputyship matters. Nicola acts in a number of high net worth matters for clients suffering from issues affecting their mental capacity. Nicola is a member of the Professional Deputies Forum and is a Dementia Friend.

Rachel Dixon

Rachel commenced her employment at Waddington & Son in May 1998,  initially employed as junior receptionist.  Rachel has studied and worked tirelessly to achieve her goals, and with the encouragement of the Directors, went on to be Office Manager.  As the Practice has grown, so has the Role which has now extended to that of Practice Manager.

Rachel oversees the day to day running of the Practice, reporting directly to the Directors and is an integral part of the Senior Management Team.

Rachel celebrated 25 years with the firm in  May 2023 and it was a personal milestone for her and the firm itself.   She is a prime example as to how the Directors at Waddington & Son encourage staff to develop, grow and maximise their potential within the Waddington’s structure/framework.

Chloe Bell

Chloe joined Waddington & Son in 2017 as a junior in the family department. After 6 months, Chloe moved into the Billing Department where she assisted in all aspects of billing for the firm as a whole. In 2021, Chloe took a year out on maternity leave, and returned in early 2022, where shortly after, she was made Head of the Billing Department. Chloe primarily deals with Legally Aided Family Law Matters, High-Cost Cases, Police Station files, and Magistrate Court files. Chloe has as wealth of experience in dealing with the Legal Aid Agency and also regularly liaises with Counsel’s Chambers, opposing solicitors and instructed professional experts in resolving cost matters.

Andrew Clegg

Andrew joined Waddington & Son in 1999 and is an experienced and highly respected Crown Court Representative. Andrew has developed strong links with Counsel’s Chambers and other professional experts within the Criminal Justice System. He is also an Accredited Police Station and Duty Solicitor Representative.

Rebecca Butterfield

Becky joined Waddington & Son in December 2019, having spent 9 years in a Lancaster firm undertaking Family work. She qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and became an accredited member of the Law Society Children’s Panel in 2012. She continues to specialise in Family Law representing parents and children in care proceedings, and has a particular interest in working on behalf of victims of domestic violence, having previously sat as a committee member of the Lancaster and District Women’s Aid.

Paul Jackson

Paul joined Waddington and Son in 2018 and undertakes a care based caseload acting for parents as well as Local Authority’s.  During his career, Paul has personally appeared in the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice, represented parties before the Court of Appeal and House of Lords. Paul has also acted for a British protectorate in a High Court cases in the UK involving high level child abuse. Paul also frequently Chaired the Chorley and South Ribble domestic violence forum. Paul studied law at Nottingham University under such legal luminaries as Professor JC Smith and Jack Garner. He undertook his training at Chorley Borough Council before moving to the Crown Prosecution Service and then onto a Greater Manchester Local Authority where he developed an interest in child care law. He then went on to work in private practice throughout Lancashire.

Rosemary Williams

Grace Holliday

Grace initially studied at The University of Edinburgh, where she completed her Bachelor of Law with Honours. She then went on to study at BPP University in Manchester. Grace achieved her Graduate Diploma in Law, before achieving a Commendation in her Legal Practice Course. Grace joined Waddington & Son in March 2021 and primarily assisted with supporting domestic abuse survivors. Grace is a member of FLOWS, who work in Partnership with Rights of Women.

Grace qualified as a Solicitor in October 2023 and is now a valued member of the Family Team, focussing on Private Law Children cases.

Andrew Matthias

Andrew joined Waddington & Son in 2025 having spent most of his career in Manchester and the surrounding areas.  However, Andrew has retruned to his roots and is now based in our Blackburn Offie where he undertakes Private and Public Law work on behalf of parents.  

Ayesha Murdoch

Ayesha joined Waddington & Son in 2025 having qualified on the Fylde Coast.  Ayesha specialises in Family Law, specificaly care proceedings issues by the Local Authority and Private Law Children work.

Philip J Turner

Philip Turner qualified as a solicitor in 1980 before joining Waddington and Son in 1982. He has been associated with the firm in various capacities for almost 40 years, including 24 years as a Partner. He was largely responsible for developing our Criminal Law Department and continues to assist as a Consultant Solicitor. Philip regularly represents clients at the police station and in the local Magistrates Courts where he has over many years helped to secure a high level of successful outcomes.

Damien Pickup

Damien joined Waddington & Son in May 2025 having spent all of his Legal career in the Blackburn area.   An avid Blackburn Rover's supporter,  Damien is proud of his local roots.

Damien is a well known and very respected Solicitor acorss Lancashire and who has further bolstered our Criminal Defence Team.

Shannon English

Osman Munir

Osman joined Waddington & Son in July 2025 and is a valued member of our Criminal Defence Team based in Blckburn.  

Nick Dearing

Nick joined Waddington & Son in March 2022. He qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He is a Duty Solicitor, holds Higher Rights of Audience in all Courts and in all proceedings, and further qualified as a Notary Public in 2017. Nick plays a number of key roles within the firm.  He defends clients within criminal proceedings, particularly youths and vulnerable clients.  

He also provides services within our Private Client department, particularly in more complex matters, as well as being a Notary in which he assists local firms and individuals with documents required for international business transactions, property sales and purchases, inheritances and visa applications. 

Beth Cowell

Beth joined Waddington and Son in 2018 as a paralegal. She undertook her legal training with Waddington and Son and qualified as a Solicitor in April 2023.

Beth works in the Wills and Probate department where she assists clients making and amending their wills. Beth also advises clients on lasting powers of attorney and assists families following the deaths of loved ones when dealing with their estate, particularly when applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration.

Katie Marr

Katie studied Law at Edgehill University where she successfully achieved a First Class Law Degree with Honours. She studied her LPC at the University of Law in Manchester where she graduated with a distinction.  Having completed her Training COntract with the Practice, she has now joined our ever expanding Court of Protection Team.

Freya Grayston

Freya joined Waddington & Son in 2024 as a Family Paralegal in our Preston Office.  Freya is now undertaking her Training to qualify as a Solicitor.

Leanne Scott

Leanne joined Waddington & Son in 2017. Prior to this Leanne has 15 years experience working within law firms and during that time she has worked in various departments covering all areas of law. Leanne currently works within the Criminal Litigation Department. Leanne deals with all aspects of administration as well as liaising directly with clients and professionals to ensure the smooth running of cases from the initial instructions to conclusion.

Leanne is also an Accredited Police Station Representative.

Ellie McGrail

Ellie joined Waddington & Sons in 2024 and supports the Crime Team across the practice.

Amber Farooq

Amber graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a 2:1 degree in BA (Hons) Law with Criminology. She joined Waddington & Son's Family team in February 2019 from Lancashire County Council where she had been a paralegal since 2014. Amber specialises in matters involving children including Care proceedings and Private Law matters and currently supports Paul Jackson, Solicitor in the Family Department.

Mollie Swaine

Mollie joined Waddington & Son as a Family Paralegal in 2024.  Mollie works alongside Maisie Howarth  supporting Charlotte Fitzpatrick  with her extensive family caseload.

Maisie Howarth

Maisie joined Waddington & Son in 2024 as a Paralegal in the Family Team.  Maisie works alongside Mollie Swaine, who both support Charlotte Fitzpatrick with her extensive family caseload.

Kelci Wilson

Kelci joined Waddington & Son in 2024 and supports the Family Team in our Preston Office.

Emily James

Emily joined Waddington & Son in 2024 and supports our Family Solicitor Grace Holliday in her role as a Family Paralegal.  

Emily is studying law with The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Leah Hornby

Leah joined Waddington & Son in June 2025 having completed her studies at Westholme School in Blackburn.  After undertaking work experience with the Practice in 2024, Leah was keen to join the Team and now supports Colin Warner in the Family  Department.  

Francesca Hanslip

Francesca studied Law at Leeds Beckett University, graduating with a First-class Honours degree in 2021. She joined the firm in 2022 to assist the private client department, working towards one day becoming a fully trained solicitor.

Rachel Haywood

Alison Ellis

Alison joined Waddington & Son in 2002. Alison has always worked in a secretarial capacity. This has included criminal and wills and probate work, but she has now returned to the Family Department. Alison currently provides secretarial support for four Solicitors within the Family Department.

Ellie Blakey

Sophie Holme

Sophie began her time with Waddington & Son as Receptionist at our Preston Office but is not undergoing training to become a Paralegal within the Crime Team.

Beth Jenkins

Beth works within our Private Client Department where she assists our Preston based Solicitor, Beth Cowell. 

Nikki Phillips

Nikki joined Waddington & Son in 2024 as the Receptionist at our Burnley Office. However, she now works within the Private Client Department where she supports Nick Dearing with his caseload.

Catherine McCann

Catherine works within the Court Of Protection Department, assisting all members of the team with administrative support.

Lily Galloway

Lily joined Waddington & Son in 2024 through Nelson & Colne College Apprenticeship scheme.  She works in reception in our Blackburn Office answering the telephone and greeting clients, as well as supporting the Crime Team accross the practice administratively.  

Lily Warren

Lily joined Waddington & Son in 2024 through Nelson & Colne College Apprenticeship Scheme and assists with answering the telephone, greeting clients and supporting administratively across the practice from our Burnley Office.

Kimberley Nell

Kimberley joined Waddington & Son's Preston Office  in 2025 as Receptionist but also supports all areas of the practice with administrative support.

Katie Varley

Katie joined Waddington & Son in 2020. While studying for a Business Administration Apprenticeship at Level 3, Katie also dealt with various administrative tasks where required in the office. In early 2022, Katie joined the Billing Department, and in March 2023, Katie successfully passed her apprenticeship with a Distinction grade. Katie now assists with costing Legally Aided Family Law Matters and Criminal matters.

Nigel Crosby