Our staff are dedicated to ensuring that our clients receive expert advice on all business and personal matters in a friendly and efficient manner. List of members of staff – alphabetically:
Lesley Bartlett – Family Law Partner and Mediator
- Admitted as a solicitor in 1978.
- Lesley has practised locally since 1985. Her experience includes sensitive and contentious matrimonial matters of complexity, tension and difficulties, including high net worth clients.
- Her specialism is consideration for children and the resolution of disputes without expensive litigation.
- She is a member of Resolution and the Law Society’s Family Law Panel.
- Lesley is involved in the running of the Worcester Child Contact Centre.
- lesley.bartlett@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Paul Stafford – Consultant - Commercial and Business Law, Civil Mediation.
- Paul Stafford is an experienced commercial lawyer having been admitted in 1981 and has 30 years experience of dealing with a wide range of commercial matters and commercial disputes. He is a member of the Insolvency Lawyers Association and the Employment Lawyers Association and spends the majority of his time advising family owned businesses in relation to various day to day problems they encounter and in particular in such matters as partnership disputes, shareholder disputes, directors and employment service agreements and insolvency restructuring. Paul acts regularly for insolvency practitioners in dealing with all matters related to bankruptcy and corporate insolvency.
Lynda Bragg-Walker – Wills and Probate Legal Executive
- Lynda is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives who qualified in June 2001 and is experienced in dealing with the preparation of Wills, carrying out the administration of estates, and with the preparation and registration of Enduring and Lasting Power of Attorney Deeds. Lynda is quite happy to visit clients at home to take their instructions and hospital visits can also be arranged.
- lynda.bragg-walker@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Will Jones – Probate, Trust and Wills Solicitor
- Qualified in September 2010
- Assists clients in the areas of wills, trusts and probate
- will.jones@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Martin Thomas – Property Partner
- Admitted as a solicitor in 1985,
- Martin has practised in Worcester since 1985
- Specialising in commercial and domestic property matters and development sites, both residential and commercial.
- martin.thomas@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Tim Sherwood – Property Partner
- Admitted as a solicitor in April 1975 and practised locally since 1980.
- Initially he covered all types of litigation but for many years he has concentrated on property work, both residential and commercial.
- Served as Deputy Coroner for Worcestershire for 25 years.
- tim.sherwood@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Lucy Webley – Family Law Solicitor
- Lucy is Worcestershire born and bred and admitted as a solicitor in 1997. She specialises in all aspects of Family Law work.
- lucy.webley@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Rebecca Widdowson – Civil Disputes Partner
- Admitted as a solicitor in 1996,
- Rebecca is Head of our Civil Litigation Department and
- Can advise on contract disputes, professional negligence, property disputes, contentious probate claims, personal injury claims and many other disputes.
- rebecca.widdowson@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Laura Williams – Family Law Solicitor
- Laura joined Hallmarks in 2003 and specialises in both family law and civil litigation.
- laura.williams@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Richard Wilkes – Probate, Trust and Wills Partner
- Admitted as a solicitor in 1997,
- Richard is Worcestershire born and bred and joined the firm in 1995.
- He undertakes general private client work including advising on Wills, tax issues, succession and trusts.
- Richard also advises on all aspects of licensing and criminal matters, specialising in motoring offences, including speeding.
- richard.wilkes@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Mary Barker - Charities Administrator
- Employed by this firm and it's predecessors since 1975.
- Responsible for the day-to-day administration of Worcester Municipal Charities and Laslett's Charities dealing mainly with almshouses, grant applications, insurance and properties
- Organises Trustees' meetings, inspections and some outings for residents, liasing regularly with wardens and outside agencies.
- mary.barker@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Ian Pugh - Property, Employment and Charities Consultant
- Admitted as a solicitor in 1976, and has practised in Worcestershire since 1976 with a particular interest in property transactions, employment and charity management.
- Long standing member of the Citizens Advice Bureau, and developed a specialism of employment law - acting for a range of employers and employees.
- ian.pugh@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
James Leyland - Property and Agriculture Solicitor
- Joined HallmarkHulme in 2010
- Admitted as a solicitor in 2002, James undertakes a variety of property work, including:-
- Agricultural property – advising upon the sale and purchase of agricultural and other rural property, Agricultural Holdings Act and Farm Business Tenancy matters (including preparation of agreements, succession, retirement and other arbitrational matters), succession planning, contract farming, share farming and grazing agreements, profits of pasturage and sporting rights;
- Commercial property – sale and purchase of commercial property and 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act matters; and
- Residential property – sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold property, matrimonial transfers, residential landlord and tenant matters and leasehold extension and collective enfranchisement.
- James is a member of the Agricultural Law Association
- james.leyland@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Stephen Foster - Trainee Solicitor
- Graduated from Leeds University 2008
- Completed the LPC at Newcastle Law School
- Working in Civil Litigation, Criminal Defence and Property Law
- stephen.foster@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Julian Powell - Business Director
- Julian uses his background in both industry and accountancy practice to ensure the business is run professionally and commercially. Key areas are Strategy, Finances, Marketing and Information Technology
- julian.powell@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
Tom Bartley-Smith - Business Services Partner
- Head of our Business Services Department
- Admitted as a solicitor in 2005
- Joined HallmarkHulme in 2011, having lived and worked in Worcester since 2008
- Advises on a wide range of business issues, from start-ups to sales.
- Expertise in complex re-structures, share options and management buy-outs
- Works extensively in the healthcare and automotive sectors.
- Specialises in owner-managed businesses and acts for many locally.
- tbs@hallmarkhulme.co.uk
