Napthens growth continues with two senior appointments

Napthens has made two new senior hires to strengthen its family and private client teams across Lancashire.

Shakeela Bi and Rosemary Johns will join the family and wills, trusts and probate teams, respectively, working alongside department heads, Helen Lucking and Farida Isaji.

Recognised as an expert in Islamic divorces, Shakeela provides advice on matters relating to finances and the arrangements for children to individuals from the Muslim community going through divorce.

Indeed, she is one of only a small number of solicitors in the country who is able to provide such advice.

Shakeela joins as a legal director from Cartwright King where she was head of family law, bringing with her almost 20 years of expertise matrimonial law, including complex private law, children's law, matrimonial finance, and financial disputes.

Her experience ranges from advising clients regarding domestic violence, international child relocation, forced marriages, prenuptial agreements and complex cases involving pensions, business interests and identification of matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets.

Joining from Birchall Blackburn Law as legal director, Rosemary brings with her extensive experience, covering two decades in private client law.

Her expertise includes wills and succession planning, the management of significant personal injury awards, trust structuring, inheritance tax planning for business owners and individuals, complex probate and administration of estates, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters.

Shakeela said: “By joining Napthens, I’m coming to a large but growing law firm with a widely respected family team. It’s an amazing opportunity for me at this stage of my career and one I’m really excited about.

“Helen has an amazing reputation in family law across the north west and with Matthew Taylor also recently joining, we have a strong team to deliver support to people across the region and beyond.

“Supporting people and families during a really stressful time is something I take great pride in, and I know by joining Napthens I can help more people feel calm about the new direction life is taking them.”

Rosemary, a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, said: “Napthens is growing significantly across the region and I’m joining a law firm that has a strong reputation for caring about people and businesses in the communities we operate.

“I am really excited to be working alongside Farida and the wider team, having admired their work from afar, and am looking forward to getting to know everyone and supporting all our current and new clients.

“With significant law changes in regard to inheritance tax, wills and trusts, recently introduced I’m looking forward to delivering key support as everyone navigates the new pathway of looking after their families and assets.”

Farida Isaji, head of wills, trust and probate at Napthens, said: “Rosemary has a very strong reputation across the region and will provide additional experience and knowledge to the team.

“She is an excellent solicitor and will ensure we can continue with our growth plans for both the team and firm.

“Rosemary’s reputation and presence across Lancashire will provide our clients with significant experience in frequently sensitive matters.”

Helen, head of family at Napthens, said: “Shakeela provides another significant coup for our team, following Matthew Taylor’s arrival last year.

“She brings a wealth of experience across all family matters, and her Islamic divorce knowledge will prove invaluable to our clients and team.

“Shakeela will also provide strategic support as we continue to expand our presence across the region and the support we provide to people going through often challenging situations.”