WHN Solicitors grows litigation team with key Lancashire appointments

Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has strengthened its litigation team with two new appointments in Lancashire.

Joanne Hindsley has joined the team as a solicitor. Having worked in legal practice as a solicitor in Lancashire for over 20 years, she will serve WHN’s clients from its Clitheroe and Accrington offices, dealing with all aspects of civil litigation including landlord and tenant disputes, debt recovery, civil disputes and injury claims.

She is a mediator registered with the Civil Mediation Council, a charity which aims to resolve conflicts and disputes by encouraging the use of mediation and other dispute resolution techniques.

Lauren Moffat has also joined WHN as a trainee solicitor, after completing her Masters in Law in Professional Legal Practice (LLM) at the University of Law. Based at WHN’s Clitheroe office, Lauren’s role will involve client interaction and liaising with members of the other side, as well as preparing court papers and conducting research into legal and factual issues.

During her university studies, Lauren gained valuable experience volunteering with the Citizens Advice Bureau and the University of Manchester Legal Advice Centre, where she worked on landlord and tenant disputes and civil disputes.

The new appointments further strengthen WHN’s growing litigation team, which also saw Melan Muchegwa join as litigation paralegal at the firm’s Bury office in June, as well as Lucie Rushton’s qualification as solicitor in recent weeks.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Melan now resides in Greater Manchester and supports the WHN litigation team in its Bury office, dealing with commercial debt recovery and commercial dispute resolution. Melan is currently undertaking her Legal Practice Course (LPC) through the University of Law.

Lucie has completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Leeds Beckett University, having joined WHN in June 2021. She specialises in resolving commercial disputes and both residential and commercial property disputes.

Michael Shroot, CEO, WHN Solicitors said: “Advising our clients on litigation matters is a key area of expertise for the firm. Our overarching philosophy at WHN is to put the client experience at the heart of everything we do, so it’s important to invest in our team both through new both appointments and promotions to ensure our clients receive the best support possible from experts in their field.

“The feedback in this year’s Legal 500 is testament to how our team builds long-term client relationships and I’m looking forward to seeing Joanne, Lauren, Melan, Lucie, Katie and Eleanor combine their deep knowledge with a personal approach to grow and develop these relationships over the coming years.”

Joanne Hindsley said: “WHN has a strong reputation across Lancashire for exceptional client care, which really attracted me to the firm. I am looking forward to using my experience and knowledge of the Lancashire and North West market to give our clients the very best service possible.”

Lauren Moffat said: “The litigation team at WHN are real experts, with deep client relationships. It’s clear that working for WHN is the perfect environment to train to increase my knowledge and experience while training to become a solicitor.”

WHN has also recently promoted associate solicitor and litigation specialist Katie Wright to head of the civil litigation team and Eleanor Longworth, also part of the litigation team, to associate director.

WHN employs over 100 staff from offices in Accrington, Bacup, Bury, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Haslingden, Great Harwood, Rawtenstall and Salford.

Pictured above left to right: Melan Muchegwa, Eleanor Longworth, Lauren Moffat, Katie Wright, Joanne Hindsley, Lucie Rushton.