Meet the team

John, as well as being Senior Partner since 2014, is currently the Head of the Crime Department and is a seasoned litigator in all aspects of criminal law work. He is duty solicitor accredited and can provide representation at all stages, from the Police Station to the Magistrates Court and even the Crown court due to being an HCA.

​John is also the firm’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Compliance Officer.

​Please contact John on 01900 602235 or email: JCooper@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in 2005
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 2008
Gained Higher Rights of Audience in 2011
Became Senior Partner in 2014

​Memberships
The Law Society
The West Cumbrian Law Society

​Departments
Crime

Ian is a very experienced criminal advocate who is well versed at representing clients in both the Police Station and the Magistrates Court. His experience in the field of criminal law makes him a real asset to the department, and we were happy to welcome him into the partnership in 2017.

Please contact Ian on 01900 602235 or email: INancollis@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in 1996
Originally joined Paisleys Solicitors in 1994
Re-joined Paisleys in 2014
Became a Partner in 2017

​Memberships
The Law Society
The West Cumbrian Law Society

​Departments
Crime

Nigel is a long-standing member of the team at Paisleys Solicitors, who over the years has held positions in the various partnership’s and is currently the Head of the Conveyancing Department. Nigel deals with the firms commercial transactions and complex probate matters.

Please contact Nigel on 01900 602235 or email: NIllman@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in 1977
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 1977

Memberships
The Law Society

​Departments
Conveyancing
Probate, Wills & LPA’s

Emily joined Paisleys in 2018 and has been a welcome addition to the crime department. Emily grew up in Milton Keynes and studied Law at Lancaster University. When Emily is not at work she likes to ride and train horses.

​Please contact Emily on 01900 602235 or email: ESmith@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in 2015
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 2018

​Memberships
The Law Society
The West Cumbrian Law Society

​Departments
Crime

Charlotte joined Paisleys in 2016 as a trainee solicitor. Charlotte is based in the Conveyancing department and predominantly deals with the new build developments.  Charlotte works alongside Nigel Illman with commercial type matters.  Charlotte also assists the crime department with out of hours police station matters.

​Charlotte is also part of the team who manages the social media and marketing for the firm.

​Please contact Charlotte on 01900 602235 or email: CAkam@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Joined Paisleys in 2016
Qualified as a Police Station Representative in 2018
Qualified as a Solicitor in 2018

​Memberships
The Law Society
West Cumbria Junior Lawyers Division
The West Cumbrian Law Society

​Departments
Crime
Conveyancing

​Geraldine is a former police officer turned Criminal Defence Advocate, who represents clients in both the police station and Magistrates Court

Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in 2010
Joined Paisleys July 2017

Memberships
The Law Society

​Departments
Crime

Linda, in her time at Paisleys, has gained experience in most departments and since 1997 has been our dedicated Probate Executive. Her wealth of experience is invaluable within that department.

​Please contact Linda on 01900 602235 or email: LDixon@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 1971
Became Probate Executive in 1997

​Memberships
None

​Departments
Probate, Wills & LPA’s

Prior to joining Paisleys Solicitors Cath could often be found advocating in the Magistrates court. On joining ourselves she decided to take a more office based role, and whilst she no longer practices as a solicitor, her wealth of knowledge and experience makes her the perfect person to manage our more serious crimes in the Crown Court

​Please contact Cath on 01900 602235 or email: CMcclenan.co.uk

​Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in 1992
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 2014

​Memberships
None

​Departments
Crime

Joanne is our Residential Conveyancer. Joanne has worked for a number of large Law firms in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Since moving to the area in 2009 she has worked for local firms & joined us in 2017. Joanne is experienced in all aspects of residential conveyancing, including sales, purchase, re-mortgages, transfers of ownership and shared ownership schemes.

​Joanne is also part of the team who manages the social media, website and marketing for the firm.

​Please contact Joanne on 01900 602235 or email: JBowmer@paisleys.co.uk

​Career
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 2017

​Memberships
Society of Licenced Conveyancers
The West Cumbrian Law Society
CILEx
National Landlords Association

​Departments
Conveyancing

Prior to joining Paisleys Layla qualified as a Solicitor in Australia.  Layla joined Paisleys in 2017 and is currently studying towards a CILEx Paralegal qualification.

Please contact Layla on 01900 602235 or email: LNewton@paisleys.co.uk

Career
Qualified as a Solicitor in Australia in 2012
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 2017

Memberships
CILEx

Departments
Conveyancing

Sheila joined Paisleys in 1999 and took over as Practice Manager in 2009. Sheila’s experience and dedication to Paisleys makes her the ideal person to manage our day-to-day affairs.

Sheila is also part of the team who manages the social media and marketing for the firm.

Please contact Sheila on 01900 602235 or email: SMeldrum@paisleys.co.uk

Career
Joined Paisleys Solicitors in 1999
Made Practice Manager in 2009

Memberships
None

Departments
Office