Forbes Solicitors

forbessolicitors.co.uk

Natalie Argent

Natalie is a Partner within the Abuse & Social Care Team. Natalie has been qualified as a solicitor for over twenty years and has considerable experience in defending Public, Employers and Occupiers Liability claims for Local Authorities. Since joining Forbes in November 2013, Natalie advises Local Authority and insurer clients regarding complex and emotive areas of historic abuse, Child Sexual Exploitation, abuse in foster care, Human Rights Act violations, deprivation of liberty and familial abuse. Natalie presents training - speaking on a wide range of topics.

Adrienne Baker

Adrienne is a highly experienced Family Law Solicitor at Forbes Solicitors, having qualified in 2016. A proud member of the Law Society’s Family Law Advanced Accreditation Scheme, she specialises in complex and high-conflict children matters, including cases involving domestic abuse, fact-finding hearings, parental alienation and international or internal relocation. She represents clients from the LGBTQ+ community, with expertise in legal parentage and disputes under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008. Her practice also covers all aspects of divorce and financial settlements, including pre- and post-nuptial agreements and protective orders in cases of domestic abuse. Known for her compassionate yet robust approach, she handles each case with sensitivity, diligence and a deep commitment to securing the best outcomes for her clients, no matter how challenging or intricate the legal issues involved. Client Testimonial “A Life Changing Service. I cannot recommend Adrienne highly enough. From start to finish Adrienne provided the most amazing and professional service throughout a very stressful and difficult Family Law Hearing. She was able to reassure and guide me through every stage of the process and I cannot express my gratitude enough for everything she did for me and my child. I will be forever grateful for the hard work she put into my case and the help given to secure the outcome I hoped for. I cannot recommend Adrienne highly enough.”

Stephen Barnfield

Specialist Regulatory Partner, Stephen Barnfield, joined Forbes in 2026 after two decades defending businesses, directors and professionals facing regulatory investigations by prosecuting authorities and professional regulators at a major international law firm. Stephen’s expertise in supporting clients though incisive, ‘level-headed and pragmatic’ advice has long been recognised by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. Stephen advises on the full lifecycle of a case – initial concern and guided crisis response, investigation management, interview and submissions as to enforcement decisions, notice appeals, trial, and, where necessary, sentencing, mitigation and appeal. Stephen’s true cross-sector experience representing encompasses construction, retail, leisure, marine, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and professional services is built on the belief that longstanding client relationships allow a fuller understanding of the wider commercial and practical realities are essential to effective and strategic defence. A significant proportion of Stephen’s work has involved defending multinationals and major high street names against safety investigations, but he has also advised and defended clients facing investigation by an array of regulators. Stephen has trained and lectured widely to insurers, directors, NHS Trusts, professional groups, through interactive sessions, quizzes, game shows and mock trials.

Lyndsay Baxter

Lyndsay is a Senior Associate in the Housing and Regeneration (Property) Department. She deals with a wide variety of property work including site acquisitions, land acquisitions, development agreements (including turn-key and golden brick agreements) including for both s106 units, grant funded units or otherwise. This includes both drafting and negotiating land contracts and development agreements. Following site acquisition, she deals with drafting of the site set up documents for subsequent residential plot sales, as well as utility easements and utility agreements, including s104, s185, s38 and s278, plus s102 requirements and substation leases. Lyndsay also has experience dealing with option agreements and overage agreements linked to planning. Over the last 12 months, Lyndsay has continued to act on a hybrid golden brick and JCT deal, which was required due to the landowner opting to tax the land and the landowner and developer being separate entities. This was a complex matter with ongoing issues as to planning variations and standard of the staged works. Lyndsay has also been instructed in relation to the acquisition of land to be developed which was linked to the grant of a lease of land to be used as open space required by the biodiversity net gain requirements. The lease included bespoke drafting to ensure the lease term was linked to a not yet agreed conservation covenant. Lyndsay has also acted on a number of acquisitions of sites where title rectification was required, however given funding timescales the completion of the rectification was not always possible to be dealt with ahead of land completion, and so specific advice on the risks involved was provided.

Lauren Beaumont

Before transitioning into law, Lauren graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science. After completing the Solicitors Qualification Examination, Lauren qualified as a Solicitor in August 2023 and joined the Forbes’ Employment department in October 2025. Lauren has considerable experience across a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, and has supported across a multitude of Employment Tribunal claims, including complex claims for discrimination and whistleblowing. She also supports individuals with exit negotiations and settlement agreements. Lauren prides herself on delivering pragmatic solutions for clients and going the extra mile.

Rebecca Beaumont

Rebecca is a Senior Associate at Forbes , specialising in Contentious Wills, Trusts, and Probate, with an impressive 19 years of legal experience. She is an Associate member of ACTAPS, having completed the rigorous qualification in 2019. Rebecca’s extensive experience and dedication to contentious probate makes her a standout performer and a key contributor to the success of the team. Prior to joining Forbes, Rebecca was a Legal Director at another firm, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing the firm’s contentious probate offering. Recognising the increasing demand for contentious probate expertise, Rebecca took the initiative to lead and promote this area within the firm, delivering training to the private client team and successfully building a caseload where 60-70% of her work focused solely on contentious probate matters. Rebecca has extensive experience handling a wide range of complex and high-value contentious probate cases, including: Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Validity disputes, including undue influence and forgery claims Proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claims Removal of personal representatives Breach of trust claims against trustees Professional negligence claims against advisors in probate disputes

Dan Bickerstaffe

Dan is an established North West employment law Partner, with over 26 years of employment law experience. Dan is known for his straightforward, commercial and effective style and is described as “both legally and commercially exceptional” and “consistently provides clear and comprehensive advice tailored to our organisation. I cannot rate him highly enough”. Whilst Dan covers the full range of employment issues, and has acted for many significant corporate clients over many years, he is perhaps best known for his advice on TUPE and guiding employers through large-scale restructuring and change programmes.. Dan uses all his experience to provide practical solutions that work in the real world. He has advised numerous household name clients from many different sectors including chemicals, hospitality and leisure, travel, manufacturing and professional services.

Chris Booth

Chris is a Partner and Head of the Public Sector Division. He is also Chair and a Trustee of the Forbes Foundation; our own charity which raises money for disadvantaged children. Chris leads the anti-fraud team and is a member of several external national Fraud Focus Groups working in conjunction with a number of partner agencies including numerous police forces nationally in the investigation of large-scale insurance fraud rings. Many of his successes have achieved national press attention and he has featured in numerous episodes of BBC1's 'Claimed and Shamed' demonstrating the significant savings made for his public sector clients.

Elizabeth Bower

Elizabeth is a Partner, with over 30 years' experience and is head of both the casualty and insurance housing team. She handles a wide variety of public liability and employers liability claims for the public sector including Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Further Education Establishments. Elizabeth regularly provides training for clients and has devised and presented extensive bespoke training programmes for several Metropolitan Borough Councils. She provides support and advice to Housing clients in relation to both disrepair and personal injury related matters and has developed a bespoke investigation service for a National Housing provider. Elizabeth is responsible for the training and supervision of trainee solicitors within the department.

Kella Bowers

Kella Bowers is Head of Insurance and previously Head of Forbes’ hugely successful and nationally recognised Inquests, Social Services and Abuse Claims Team. Kella is client partner for Zurich Municipal. Kella undertook work nationally and lead a team dealing with the numerous child sexual exploitation claims in two of the country’s largest and most controversial CSE claim groups for Rotherham MBC and Rochdale MBC. Kella is also highly experienced in dealing with adult social care, human rights cases and sensitive GDPR matters. Kella has an enviable national coverage of Social Services clients and worked previously with ALARM to produce a manual for the Management of Children’s Services Claims. Kella has also been involved with the Historic Abuse Litigation Forum and is a member of the FOIL Abuse Claims Practice and Procedure Strategic Focus Group. This group has been directly involved in creating and presenting a draft Pre-Action Protocol for Abuse work to the Civil Procedure Rules Committee and engaged in responses to the MOJ and CPRC with regards to recent consultations on PAPs and Remote Medical examinations. Kella co-leads the firm’s growing inquest and regulatory teams with Ridwaan Omar, dealing with complex article 2 inquests involving children and vulnerable adults. Kella has been recognised was a Recommended Lawyer and a Leading Individual by Legal 500 for several years. Kella Bowers and Chris Booth are excellent specialists in their own particular fields and will sort out extremely complex historic matters that seemed daunting beforehand.’ Kella was also been shortlisted for the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse awards in the insurance lawyer of the year category. Kella is also a trustee of the Forbes Foundation charity.

Jane Burbidge

Jane is the Head of the Wills, Probate, Tax and Trust department and a Partner in the firm. She has many years’ worth of experience specialising in estate planning, including the drafting of Wills and Trusts, advising on inheritance, tax issues and dealing with probate matters and administering estates. Jane re-joined Forbes in 2019 to develop and expand the Wills department, to continue and build on high quality service with exceptional client care from a dedicated and experienced team. She manages, supports and leads the team, working closely with private and commercial departments in the firm to ensure clients receive the expertise required to assist with complex family matters and business arrangements, providing a one stop service for all clients. Jane is involved in firm wide marketing, building relationships with referrers and organisations to provide legal services to their employees. Jane is also a member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and the Association of Lifetime Lawyers.

Jonathan Chung

Jonathan joined Forbes Solicitors in July 2025 as a Partner and currently leads the commercial property sub-team in the firm’s Manchester City Centre office. Jonathan has over 16 years’ experience of working in the property legal sector and prior to joining Forbes, he built a successful property department with a strong reputation, providing first class experience to clients with consistent five-star reviews on Review Solicitors. Jonathan’s work was recognised in the latest Legal 500 publication with MLP Law’s commercial property department achieving a “Firm to Watch” ranking which acknowledged Jonathan’s department’s significant growth, potential and strong performance. This was the department’s first Legal 500 submission in many years and reflected Jonathan’s first year’s work at MLP Law which was a significant achievement for him. At Forbes, Jonathan has added to the firm’s growing list of clients, bringing his own clients and servicing existing ones and has good relationships with several referrers of commercial property work. Jonathan’s experience is wide ranging, encompassing advice to clients of all sizes, from large multi-national companies to individual property owners. He has considerable experience in all aspects of property work, including landlord and tenant work, secured lending work, investment property acquisitions, disposals and asset management activity and corporate property transactions. His aim is to be accessible and approachable in the way that he deals with his clients and referrers and he works hard to fully understand the needs of his client’s business and provides clients with clear, pragmatic legal advice. Jonathan is involved with Forbes’ firm-wide and Manchester office’s marketing strategy and is leading the business development in the Trafford borough of Greater Manchester. He works closely with a close network of financial advisors, accountants, surveyors and estate agents who often refer work to him and his department.

Jonathan Clay

Jonathan is a 42 years qualified Solicitor who has held the distinction of being identified in the Hall of Fame, in Legal 500, for a number of years. He joined Forbes Solicitors, as a Consultant, after a distinguished career at BLM, moving to Clyde & Co upon merger. His experience includes being an Equity Partner, a Member of the Executive Board, being instrumental in the strategic decisions in BLM for more than 24 years and holding responsibility for leading the Insurance Sector Business. His experience leading the client relationship with two international multi line insurers saw growth of those relationships in Casualty, Property and professional lines litigation as he and the firm became strategic partners for those insurers. His technical expertise started in the public sector acting for Metropolitan, City and County Councils in respect of injury claims, defamation and electoral claims. Jonathan acted for Fire and Police authorities facing rising claims numbers whilst advising on strategies to reduce those claims at source through improved risk management. His work in the public sector included advising a Metropolitan City Council during a review of safeguarding practices in Social Services after shortcomings had been identified in their multi-disciplinary responses to vulnerable children. Jonathan represented a national charity facing a number of large scale group actions involving historical abuse with the causes of action dating back to the 1960s and 70s, with some back to the 1950s. Some had international components to the claims. He advised on the liability, value and the strategic approach to the litigation. He also assisted the client’s response to the inevitable press interest and the reputational risk caused by such very distressing claims. His career developed into the commercial sector and representing UK and multinational corporate entities across a number of sectors including builders merchants, transport and warehousing and property management. During the epidemic of Noise Induced Hearing Loss claims Jonathan led a team supporting a client’s needs to meet the challenges faced by the huge surge in frequency of these claims, being instrumental in creating a multi firm solution for that client. The NIHL claims also saw Jonathan providing strategic guidance on challenging the behaviour of a claimant law firm in their handling of NIHL cases. The outcome ultimately being the closure of that law firm. As a Consultant with Forbes he continues to be involved in historic and contemporary abuse safeguarding claims. He supports the growth and development of the Insurance Team in the Market Sector and with new and existing clients including the development of new propositions.

Richard Clithero

Richard has been a Partner in the Commercial Property team for ten years this year and has been the Head of the team for over two years. Richard specialises in the sale, purchase and leasing of commercial property with experience in high value transactions and secured lending work. Property deal values typically range from £1 million - £5 million, though deal values continue to grow, and Richard has acted in numerous property transactions in recent years in the region of £20 million (including both individual property transactions and transactions involving property portfolios), which are not common in the Lancashire market. Richard has experience across various sectors including manufacturing and office developments. He is experienced in acting for commercial developers and homebuilders in the acquisition of development sites. Richard supports the development of junior solicitors and other staff within the team. Richard was a non-executive director of Chorley F.C. for over three years, working with the board of directors and management in matters such as commercial activities, compliance and legal matters, development of stadium facilities and community initiatives including youth football and social inclusion, and continues to assist the club with legal matters.

Nicola Dawn

Nicola is a Partner specialising in handling claims for occupational and industrial diseases. She has significant experience in handling claims for asbestos related conditions, respiratory conditions, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and Noise Induced Hearing Loss for Local Authorities, insurers and corporate clients. Nicola joined Forbes as a partner in 2021 from Clyde and Co and now heads up the disease team from the Manchester office. She regularly handles high value mesothelioma claims which she deals with in a sensitive and timely manner having fostered excellent relationships with those representing the claimants over nearly 20 years of practice in this area and has been praised by clients for her practical and commercial advice. Her clients are the Live and Legacy Insurance markets as well as public authorities. Nicola regularly provided external training to clients nationally in relation to all aspects of occupational diseases.

Joanna Dunstan

Joanna acts for landlords and tenants of retail properties in the North West and nationally, and also deals with the property aspects of corporate transactions as well as general commercial property work. Joanna has recently acted for a national fashion retailer on the sale of two high value former factory/warehouse premises, and acts, alongside our corporate team, for the purchaser of care homes. A recent client (purchaser of a vehicle repair business) commented: ‘I can’t thank you enough for the excellent support you have given us on the acquisition. It has been a long slog to the finish line. Your patience, hard work and professionalism throughout has been tremendous!’ Experience includes: Acted for the Seller of a former country house hotel and farmhouse for £2.8 m Acted for a national fashion retailer on the sale of two former factory/warehouse premises for £3m each; Acting for the same fashion retailer on the sale of former office premises for £2.5m; Acted, together with our Corporate team, for the buyer of a vehicle repair business in the South East for £2m. Worked, alongside a Partner, on the purchase of a retail park in Staffordshire for £10.25m; Acted, alongside our Corporate team, for the buyer of a nursing home, for £2.525m, involving consideration of contaminated land issues;

Gemma Duxbury

Gemma is a Partner in the commercial team and has significant experience in the areas of governance, procurement and data protection from her time working in both the private and public sector. Gemma started at Forbes as a Senior Associate in 2019, progressing to Partner in May 2022. Having begun her career in private practice and then working in-house for a local authority for 10 years, Gemma is a 'Public Sector' and education expert with vast knowledge and experience in a wide range of areas. She regularly advises on complex matters relating to the public sector including procurement, governance, education, contracts and information law and is a vital contributor to a dedicated team, known for their prominent profile as leaders in education and the public sector. She is passionate about developing these sectors of work and providing the best possible service to her clients. She goes above and beyond for her clients and is a trusted advisor to many clients, who return to her whenever they need assistance.

Shirley Faragher

Shirley Faragher, Partner and Head of Housing Management has 15-years PQE. She has been working with Registered Providers since 2005 and has an excellent understanding of the challenges facing the sector. Shirley is a specialist advocate and has her Higher Rights qualification. As an experienced Solicitor Advocate Shirley attends trials and hearings throughout the country on behalf of Registered Providers. Shirley obtained the first without notice injunction from Preston County Court just days after Part 1 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 came into force. Specialising in ASB and Housing Management, Shirley advises on an array of issues including succession/ exchange, possession against trespassers, tenancy enforcement, mental health, equality and human rights. With a wealth of experience in addressing complex disability issues including lack of mental capacity and mental illness, Shirley works in partnership with her clients to find practical solutions whilst adopting a cost-effective approach. Shirley’s clients are enthusiastic advocates of the attentive service provided. Shirley regularly delivers training and has upskilled housing officers in several organisations enabling them to apply for their own without notice anti-social behaviour injunctions. This included bespoke training around preparing the applications and presenting at court. Mentoring and shadowing was provided to staff so that they felt supported through the process. Shirley has spoken at Forbes events in conjunction with partner agencies e.g. Police, Local Authorities and statutory bodies, to raise awareness around Cuckooing and County Lines. In addition, Shirley regularly provides internal training for client’s helping to upskill and empower staff

David Filmer

David is the head of the corporate team, and has seen the team continue its upward trajectory both in terms of the quality and quantity of the deals the team have acted on, as well as assuming the responsibility for the strategic direction and leadership of the corporate team, leading to the team to consistently turnover more than £1m. In addition to leading the team, David has a wealth of experience across all key areas of corporate services, but focusses on high value deals, including complex demergers and Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) buyouts, and has several acquisitive “buy and build” clients, details of which are highlighted in our submission. David has a particular expertise in acting for clients in the professional services industries. David oversees the continuation and development of referrer relationships specifically within the Preston and Fylde Coast region and is active on the business development and networking scene in the area. David is an exceptional lawyer who is noted in the region for his technical ability. He has strong working relationships both internally and externally and has established himself at Forbes over the last 5.5 years as a key member of the commercial side of the partnership, with many long-standing and repeat clients seeking him out and returning to him for advice. David is instrumental in the development and training of more junior members of the team and clearly enjoys seeing them develop and sharing knowledge.

Daniel Fletcher

Daniel is a Senior Associate, specialising in intellectual property matters. Daniel continues to act for a varied client base, comprising manufacturers, retailers and high-growth technology companies. Daniel acts for many of his clients on a retainer basis, operating as their commercial and IP inhouse counsel. Daniel continues to spearhead the IP team, which continues to grow steadily (both in stature and revenue) each year. Daniel is responsible for managing a sub team which comprises a solicitor, Adam Estell, and an IP paralegal. This sub-team focuses on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Daniel is being instructed on more complex matters, acting against other established IP firms. He acts for clients in contentious proceedings in the High Court, Intellectual Property Office and Company Names Tribunal. An increasing number of Daniel’s clients have been acquired through cross-referral relationships that he has built with other firms and third parties, including internationally across LawPact (an international association of lawyers that the firm is part of). In the last 12 months, Daniel has acted on matters across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. Daniel is well-liked and respected by his clients, who praise him as being responsive and commercial. Daniel takes a keen interest in each of his client’s businesses, and is known for being “on their side” on matters he deals with. This has led to him having an enviable client retention rate. Daniel’s specialism for IP matters is continually growing and he is becoming more prominent across Lancashire and the wider North West region as a specialist in this area. Daniel’s increasing presence in the North West is also demonstrated by his attendance on behalf of the firm at The Business Network, Lancashire’s largest recurring networking event. He also hosts a recurring technology and digital networking event for business leaders across the North West in conjunction with Silicone Lancashire. Daniel has attended a number of IP roundtables over the past 12 months. He has also been involved with the sponsorship of Prolific North’s Lancashire GRAFT Week, which featured a week of thought leadership content focused on Lancashire’s tech and digital growth and how to drive development across the region. In addition, they supported Prolific North’s annual Technology and Digital Awards ceremony, as well as a Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce event. Alongside his busy day-to-day practise, Daniel continues to study towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Commercial Intellectual Property Law at Nottingham Trent University. Daniel has a good relationship with a number of publications, often commenting on recent topical IP caselaw and providing advice to start-up businesses.

Carrie Gilgun

Carrie is one of our specialist criminal practitioners with over 20 years' experience in Criminal Law and procedure. Carrie is also a Partner within the firm and works in the departments Serious and Complex Case Division. Whilst Carrie represents clients who are detained at the police station and the Magistrates' Court, Carrie most frequently attends at the Crown Court. Carrie is frequently instructed by clients charged with large-scale multi-handed drugs conspiracies as well as offences of importing drugs, supplying and possession firearms, murder and serious sexual offences. Carrie's tactical awareness on managing and preparing cases sets her above those of other solicitors. She considers attacking the Prosecution's case from alternative angles rather than the usual defences adopted by others. Carrie will consider whether evidence can be undermined or ruled inadmissible before it is accepted. If admissible, she will then consider obtaining evidence or data to undermine that evidence or develop and demonstrate alternative angles of interpretation. Carrie is also a duty solicitor and represents individuals who are arrested by the Police or who appear at Court without a solicitor and therefore has a large breadth of knowledge of all offences. As one of our experienced advocates, Carrie also conducts inquests for local authorities when there is a potential finding of contributory negligence by the actions of Social Workers. She is also well versed with those cases which have the potential for a coroner making a Prevention of Future Death report which can attract both adverse publicity and scrutiny by the media. Carrie has obtained a master’s degree in medical law with a focus on coronial law, mental health law and professional regulation and sanctions for members of the medical profession. This has allowed her to have both an enhanced knowledge of the law within those fields which is complimented by her advanced research skills setting her above other professionals within those fields Carrie is one of the lead solicitors with the Royal College of Nurses and is frequently asked to represent clients suspected of having committed criminal offences within a medical setting. Carrie provides sustained personal attention to her cases from start to finish with a robust approach and has a particular eye for omissions and gaps created by those prosecuting.

Alastair Gillespie

Alastair joined Forbes in April 2024. He qualified in 1994 and has been a partner in several firms since 2000. He is one of the country’s most experienced solicitors in the handling of claims in the highly specialised and complex area of abuse and neglect. Since 1994 Alastair has advised on the conduct of defences and related issues in a vast range of matters, from standalone claims by litigants in person to many of the largest group actions to have been pursued in England & Wales. From the late 1990s until the 2010s he was heavily involved in both the North Wales and North West group actions, the outcomes of which were integral to the subsequent development of law and process in abuse claims. More recently, in 2020 Alastair guided Barclays Bank and its insurers to success in the Supreme Court on the fundamental question of vicarious liability for independent contractors. He also worked closely with the Independent Football Review in connection with the preparation of its report into abuse in professional football. His clients include insurers, schools, charities, local authorities sporting clubs and other public and private organisations, both insured and uninsured. His current cases include allegations of human rights breaches by a local authority in a case involving gender dysphoria, modern slavery claims against a charity and cases non-recent abuse pursued in vicarious liability against professional football clubs. As well as acting for a major insurer and a prominent industry organisation at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), Alastair also appeared at IICSA as an expert witness in the defence of abuse claims on three separate occasions, giving evidence on key issues including the development of the current civil claims process, limitation and the likely impact of changes to the current regime. Alastair is also an active member of the FOIL Abuse sector focus team. He recently contributed extensively to submissions made by FOIL in response to consultations on proposed developments in law and practice that are relevant to this complex area.

Jo Handler

Jo is a Partner within the Commercial Employment Team with over 20 years’ experience. Her work covers a range of sectors including Manufacturing and Engineering, Hospitality, Food & Drink Production, Technology and Care. She is the primary contact for some of the Team’s biggest clients, which include James Places, Motiva Implants UK Limited, Northcoders Limited and Salt Separation. Jo has great technical knowledge and an ability to grasp complex legal issues which she is then able to break down to provide commercial, pragmatic advice to her clients. A key strength for Jo is her significant contribution to employment law training and business development initiatives which help train and support clients, raise the profile of the Forbes’ Commercial team and also help educate the North West business and legal community on employment and HR matters. She is a Council Member for the Manchester Law Society and co-chairs its Employment Law Forum. This includes working closely with employment lawyers across the North West, arranging quarterly meetings, responding to Government consultations linked to the Employment Rights Bill (now Act). In this role, she arranges the Forum’s Annual Employment Law Conference with exceptional speakers which in 2025 included the Regional Employment Judge for the North West and leading experts on National Minimum Wage laws and Trade Union/Industrial relations. She also regularly trains our key clients including Boohoo/Debenham’s Group and James Places, Nordex and writes and delivers interactive external training events in collaboration with Hays Recruitment and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce including mock disciplinaries, workplace mediations and Tribunals. She sits on the advisory Board of Grit Studios, a CIC, to provide employment and Governance advice.

Lara Hanson

Lara Hanson is a Senior Associate with 10 years post qualification experience, specialising in housing management, tenancy enforcement and Anti-Social Behaviour. Lara is experienced in all aspects of tenancy management and has a varied case load which includes complex mental health issues, equality act considerations, court of protection involvement and ombudsman investigations. Lara regularly represents clients at court undertaking her own advocacy for a wide range of hearings and has a particular interest in injunction, possession and committal proceedings for anti- social behaviour and other breaches of tenancy. Lara is proactive, has high standards and consistently delivers the desired results for clients, whilst maintaining strong working relationships. Lara has obtained excellent outcomes on high-profile cases for clients which have involved dangerous Organised Crime Groups and a serious attack on a Professional Footballer’s brother involving sawn-off shotgun, machete and a baseball bat. Lara also delivers high quality and bespoke training packages to clients who commented: “Lara was an excellent facilitator, and the content was perfect and pitched at the right level. I look forward to joining the future training sessions.”

Sam Healey

Sam Healey is a distinguished criminal defence and white-collar crime lawyer with a reputation for handling the most serious and complex criminal, financial crime and regulatory matters. He advises individuals, professionals, corporates and businesses across a broad range of criminal, fraud and regulatory proceedings. With particular expertise in serious and complex fraud, conspiracy allegations, money laundering, investment and international frauds, corporate and financial misconduct, trading standards prosecutions, and tax investigations. He is frequently instructed at the pre-charge stage, advising on investigative strategy, pre charge engagement, and evidential risk, and is well known for his ability to influence the course of cases at an early stage. His fraud and crime practice is national, representing individuals, professionals, directors, and business owners facing allegations with significant personal, reputational, and commercial consequences. Sam’s practice frequently involves situations where there is parallel crime, regulatory and asset-based enforcement. In addition, he also represents professionals who face dual criminal and regulatory proceedings. With his fraud and financial expertise, he provides representation in cases relating to conspiracy to defraud, fraud allegations, money laundering and complex corporate misconduct. He is vastly experienced in defending allegations involving sophisticated financial evidence, corporate structures and alleged abuse of position. In addition to his criminal defence and fraud work, Sam has substantial experience in asset recovery and forfeiture advising clients whose bank accounts, digital assets or other assets have been frozen or restrained during investigations. He is known for achieving pragmatic and effective outcomes through early engagement and strategic challenge. Clients describe him as calm, authoritative, thorough, and strategically astute, valuing his ability to manage pressure, distil complex material and provide clear, decisive advice in serious matters. Sam was awarded Crime Lawyer of the Year at the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards and has been shortlisted in 2025 and 2026. Sam also regularly speaks with the media, is called upon to give expert opinion or commentary and his cases are regularly reported.

Rebecca Heyn

Rebecca qualified as a solicitor in 2021, joining Forbes as a newly qualified solicitor and being promoted to Associate solicitor in 2024. She specialises in the drafting of Wills and Trusts, Probate, inheritance tax planning including advising in relation to Agricultural and Business Property reliefs and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Rebecca has particular experience in dealing with elderly and vulnerable clients and is highly regarded for her sympathetic and practical approach. Rebecca obtained a Distinction in the (LLM) LPC and holds a First Class LLB (Hons) Degree. She is an Affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly SFE).

Jonathan Holden

Jonathan has been head of Department since 2015 and has overseen a period of impressive growth, Jonathan is National Head of Employment and Education for the firm, responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the department, as well as maintaining key client relationships on behalf of the department and the wider firm. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the team has grown from a small, three-solicitor offering based primarily in East Lancashire, to a department with 16 specialist employment lawyers. In addition to his leadership and strategic ability, Jonathan has extensive experience of all areas of employment law, but carries particular experience in advising educational institutions and public sector clients; as well as being an expert on the Local Government Pension Scheme. Jonathan is an accomplished Tribunal advocate; having appeared in a number of reported cases. Adept at explaining complex legal issues in an accessible and easy to understand manner, Jonathan is a trusted partner of clients, routinely sought out for strategic as well as employment advice. Jonathan is routinely sought out to speak at external events, and is the author of the leading textbook “A Practical Guide to Advising Schools on Employment Law”; a topic that Jonathan regularly speaks on for a CPD provider. He is recognised nationally as an expert in advising Schools and Educational establishments on Employment law issues, and is one of few experts on the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Tom Howcroft

Tom is a Partner in the Contentious Trusts and Probate team at Forbes LLP and has been integral to the team’s significant growth since joining in 2018. Tom exclusively specialises in contentious trusts and probate and became an Associate member of ACTAPS in 2021, demonstrating his dedication to professional development and expertise in this field. Tom plays a crucial role in mentoring and supervising team members, ensuring consistent quality of service and professional development within the department. His focus on process improvements has enhanced efficiency and profitability, contributing to the team’s rapid growth. Tom is known for his ability to build strong rapport with clients during what is often a challenging and emotional time. His meticulous attention to detail and ability to explain complex legal issues in a clear, client-friendly manner allow clients to make informed decisions about their cases. Through robust negotiation and mediation, Tom has successfully resolved numerous high-value and complex cases, including: Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Validity challenges Administration disputes His ability to navigate contentious matters effectively has earned him a strong reputation among clients and peers alike. Tom works closely with a range of specialist barristers to ensure clients receive the highest standard of representation tailored to their needs and case complexity. In situations where clients face funding constraints, Tom has acted as their advocate, achieving successful outcomes, including at Financial Dispute Resolution hearings and in Inheritance Act claims.

Matthew Jones

Matthew leads a specialist sub-team within the Commercial Property department, advising on a broad range of commercial property matters for clients including landowners, developers, multinational businesses, SMEs, owner-occupiers and investors. He heads the firm’s Commercial Property focussed Construction and Development offering, working closely with developers across Lancashire and beyond to provide end-to-end support on residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes, from site acquisition and structuring through to plot sales and disposal strategies. His experience includes acting for SME companies on multiple development projects, including residential and light industrial schemes in Preston, the Ribble Valley and North Yorkshire. Matthew regularly advises development partners when dealing with Register providers, bringing a strong understanding of affordable housing delivery and stakeholder requirements. He has particular expertise in facilitating partnerships between developers and Housing Associations, including complex back-to-back land transactions. His wider practice encompasses option and overage agreements, pre-planning arrangements, secured lending and landlord and tenant matters. He also works closely with the firm’s corporate team on property elements of share sales and asset acquisitions, providing joined-up advice on transactional matters. Clients value Matthew’s calm, pragmatic approach and his ability to navigate technically complex transactions while maintaining commercial momentum.

Nick Jones

Employment law partner. Former international law firm partner with over 20 years’ experience of advising businesses and senior executives across the range of employment law issues. Part of a unique team of talented and like-minded employment lawyers, providing effective solutions through a high-quality, high-value, boutique employment law firm. Member of Employment Lawyers’ Association and highly rated by the legal journals for many years. Works with leading domestic and international businesses and regularly acts for chief executives and management, reflecting deep insight into what clients really value from their lawyers. Best known for advice on the strategic and sensitive aspects of corporate life, equally at home representing a corporate client or a chief executive, always identifying and delivering employment-related solutions, often in challenging circumstances. Particular strengths include negotiation, dispute resolution, executive severance and restrictive covenant work. Longstanding track-record of working within the higher echelons of the business community. Together with colleagues, approach is to listen and understand first, focusing on the right outcome for the client and working together, in partnership, to agree and implement an effective course.

Catherine Kennedy

Catherine Kennedy is a Partner and Head of Housing Property with 37-years experience. She has extensive experience in development and commercial lease matters with commercial property transactions of all types, from Social Housing and Urban Regeneration to NHS estate reconfiguration, public private partnerships, funding/development scheme. Catherine’s acted for institutional investors, NHS, local authorities, charities, public bodies, registered providers, educational bodies, residential/ commercial developers on acquisitions, disposals and relating funding, planning, environmental and construction matters. Catherine specialises in complex redevelopment site assembly and disposals with related suites of development documents. She finds innovative solutions to complex site and title issues, unlocking sites for regeneration and development. She has worked closely with public sector clients to regenerate and rationalise their estates. Catherine’s worked with local authorities in connection with their redevelopment brief, devising streamlined procedures. Catherine is leading the team through substantial growth to achieve their ongoing development and commercial objectives . Catherine has overall responsibility for Property services and supports team members in dealing with complex transactions. She has extensive rationalisation experience devising efficient ways to undertake bulk transactions ensuring correct teams are put together to steer matters to conclusion in a timely manner.

Georgina Kenny

Georgina specialises in all aspects of contentious property advice including business lease renewals, rent reviews, restrictive covenant issues, rights of occupation, landlord’s consents, dilapidations, and service charge disputes. Georgina is widely recognised (even by her peers at other firms who regularly recommend their clients to use Georgina when conflicted as) for having extensive experience specifically in complex and high value real estate disputes. Client feedback confirms that Georgina is “approachable”, “she provides clear, concise and practical advice that can be explained at board level easily”. She is widely regarded in the North West for combining technical excellence with a pragmatic approach and clients consistently describe this as invaluable. Georgina’s experience of acting for national commercial clients as well as private landlords has been an asset to the management and marketing of the team. She is always mindful of her client’s end goal ensuring an eye is always kept on managing client’s expectations and costs. Georgina has expertise in advising, resolving, and litigating in the following areas: - Lease rectifications Rights of way / boundaries / adverse possession/party wall disputes Contested lease renewals under the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act Dilapidations Break notice disputes Landlord’s options in relation to tenant’s breach (commercial) Residential landlord and tenant – from service of notices to eviction Restrictive covenants Telecoms Leases Licences to Assign/Vary Deeds of Surrender/Settlement/Variation Proceedings in the First Tier Property Tribunal Georgina heads up the day to day running of the property litigation and now the Debt Collect team and supervises all work carried out by junior members of staff. Within three years at the firm, she has built fantastic relationships with clients and colleagues alike., the firm entrusting her to build the debt collect team as she has property litigation.

Siobhan Keown

Siobhan Keown is the Head of Housing and Regeneration (Litigation) team and has over 30 years’ experience acting for registered providers and public sector housing clients. She is a highly experienced litigator with particular expertise in housing condition and liability claims involving registered providers. Siobhan’s understanding of the social housing sector is enhanced by her experience as a former board member of a registered provider, providing her with valuable insight into the strategic and operational challenges faced by clients. A former Senior Partner of the firm and long-standing Head of Insurance, Siobhan has an extensive record of leadership and strategic management. While she no longer undertakes day-to-day case handling, her primary focus is on overseeing client relationships, ensuring the delivery of consistently high standards of service and the effective alignment of legal support with clients’ objectives. Siobhan is recognised for her professionalism, sound judgement, and commitment to maintaining strong, enduring client relationships. She works in close partnership with clients to ensure their strategic priorities are understood and delivered with precision and care.

Daniel King

Daniel is the Head of the Business and Financial Crime, Proceeds of Crime and Asset Recovery team. He is widely recognised as a leading criminal practitioner in these fields. Recently involved in many serious and complex cases brought by Police, SFO, HMRC, FCA and other agencies both as Case Supervisor and Advocate, including MTIC Fraud, Money Laundering, Investment Fraud, Insider Trading, Fraud by Abuse of position, Banking and Mortgage Frauds, and Large-Scale Asset Recovery Cases. He is also dealing with investigations and forfeiture proceedings in cases involving allegations of fraudulent claims under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and other Covid-related schemes, and investigations of Misconduct in Public Office. Daniel is currently dealing with cases involving a £75m pension fraud, insider trading. Daniel deals with cases from initial investigation through all stages of criminal proceedings and is an Approved Fraud Case Supervisor with extensive VHCC experience, currently supervising 2 VHCC’s at Southwark Crown Court.

John Lambe

John initially trained as a teacher and taught law to students at A-level and degree before he qualified as a solicitor in 2000. John joined Forbes Solicitors in December 2020 as a Senior Associate and now co-leads the firm’s Contentious Trusts and Probate (CTP) team alongside Tom Howcroft. Qualifying in 2000, he brings more than 25 years’ litigation experience, with over a decade spent in high-value contentious trusts and probate work. He completed the ACTAPS qualification in 2019. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of high-value probate litigation, including: Proprietary estoppel Statutory wills and contested deputyship applications Deathbed gift disputes Complex validity challenges Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Estate and trust disputes involving high-net-worth individuals and substantial asset bases The cases accompanying this submission illustrate his involvement in some of the department’s most complex and strategically demanding matters. Clients consistently praise John for his accessibility, clarity of communication and ability to manage complex disputes to conclusion with minimal stress. His service commitment includes: Fast, proactive communication Clear advice grounded in experience Strong momentum on cases Flexible pricing options, including regular use of no-win-no-fee arrangements John is a highly respected specialist in contentious trusts and probate, known for his technical proficiency, strong litigation instincts, and leadership impact. Alongside Tom Howcroft, he has played a key role in shaping the department into a high-performing, specialist practice equipped for further growth and increased market prominence.

Danielle Leeming

Danielle joined Forbes in June 2025 and is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the Commercial Property department. Danielle has over 10 years’ experience working with a wide range of clients from Pension Funds, startups, SME’s and Charities. Danielle has a particular specialism in asset management and landlord and tenant matters; dealing with Landlord’s looking to let multiple units on an estate, to assisting client’s looking to take their first lease of a premises or take a lease of a larger building in order to grow their business. Her expertise includes dealing with agreements for lease, long and short-term leases, new leases, renewal leases along with agreements for consent (assignment, underletting, variations to the terms of the lease and licences for alterations). Danielle prides herself on having a commercial approach and enjoys getting involved with clients at an early stage to understand the client’s specific needs and tailor her advice to the client’s requirements. In addition to landlord and tenant matters, Danielle assists clients with purchasing, selling and refinancing their commercial properties and has assisted the corporate team with share and asset disposals and acquisitions.

Craig Liversidge

Craig is the Head of the Crown Court department and the Serious and Complex Crime team. He has extensive experience of all types of Crown Court work representing those charged with serious and complex organised crime, with a particular focus on large scale drugs conspiracies and financial crime. He has significant experience of international drugs trafficking conspiracies, complex gangland cases involving serious violence, human trafficking, and cyber-crime. Over the last 12 months, Craig has represented clients in complex murder cases, importations and supply of class A and B drugs, many different fraud cases, and numerous money laundering prosecutions. He is currently instructed by numerous defendants in a significant VAT fraud, a £260m money laundering case, a misconduct in public office case, a number of murder cases, and many conspiracies to import/ supply drugs all over the Country. Craig heads up the firm’s specialist crime division and is approved by the Legal Aid Agency as a fraud supervisor for the purposes of VHCC cases. He is currently supervising 4 VHCC cases. He operates out of both our Salford and Preston offices.

Craig MacKenzie

Craig MacKenzie is a leading criminal defence solicitor and Partner at Forbes Solicitors, widely recognised for his expertise in complex, high-profile, and highly sensitive criminal cases. He leads the High Profile & Private Crime Division, specialising in defending professionals, HNW and UHNW individuals, and businesses facing serious allegations. He is receommended in Spears 500 as one of the UK’s top criminal defence lawyers for HNW individuals. In the past 12 months he has acted for clients facing the most serious allegations, including terrorism, gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, and serious sexual offences. For years he has been consistently appointed in cases of national significance and is one of a very small number of solicitors in the UK to be actively sought out in highly specialised areas such as terrorism. Craig has a leading reputation in the criminal defence sector, and few solicitors in the UK are as visible or consistently recognised in the market. He is routinely sought out not only by high-profile clients, but also by fellow solicitors for his strategic insight and specialist knowledge. His authority in the field is further underlined by his role as a legal trainer, particularly in emerging areas such as financial crime and the intersection of criminal law with artificial intelligence. He is a well-known thought-leader with a significant following on social media platforms. He is a respected legal commentator, regularly appearing on the BBC, Channel 5, and Radio to provide expert analysis on criminal law matters. Craig also publishes articles in many magazines and newspapers. As the firm’s designated AI Champion, Craig is at the forefront of driving innovation in legal practice, leading internal strategy and sector-facing conversations around the application and regulation of AI in law. He is actively shaping how the profession adapts to technological change and is recognised as a thought leader in this space.

Stephen McArdle

Stephen is head of the Commercial Litigation team within the Business Dispute Resolution department at Forbes. He specialises in commercial litigation, business dispute resolution and commercial property/landlord & tenant litigation. He represents a broad range of business, professional and public sector clients including: companies, partnerships, insurers, property investors and developers, chartered accountants, insolvency practitioners, football clubs, local authorities, housing associations, pension trustees, schools and charities. Stephen is part of the firm's dedicated education group, SIPP and SSAS pension group and the construction group. He works closely with a network of specialist barristers, accountants and surveyors both in the region, and nationally. Stephen regularly handles cases in the High Court, County Court and the Land Tribunal. He is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution; including joint settlement meetings and mediation. He prides himself on being able to act decisively for the client when the situation demands, but equally being able to quickly identify the client's commercial objectives as well. Examples of Stephen's cases include: - Company and business disputes - Director and Shareholder claims - Partnership disputes - Professional Negligence claims against solicitors, surveyors, architects and accountants - Breach of contract - Commercial injunctions - Construction disputes - Corporate insolvency - Commercial property and land disputes - Lease renewals (s.25/s.26) - Breach of lease claims - Land acquisition and development contract disputes Stephen is a recommended lawyer and next generation partner in the latest Legal 500 2022.In his spare time, Stephen is a school governor and has been a trustee for a North West based charity.

Rebecca McCann

Rebecca is a Senior Associate in the Corporate team with extensive experience advising on a wide range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, company restructures, demergers, investments, and joint ventures – across a variety of sectors including, construction, tech and manufacturing. Rebecca is seen as trusted advisor for many clients, which can be seen in the number of repeat instructions she has received from clients over the years. Rebecca has a large number of clients who she has worked with for many years on a regular basis including Acero Construction Limited, Investasurge Limited and J C Walsh & Sons , in relation to all corporate aspects of their businesses from incorporation of new companies, advice on group restructures and supporting on acquisitions and disposals. Rebecca also works with a number of high net-worth investors on a regular basis advising them on a wide range of investments and acquisitions and general corporate matters. Rebecca is known for her client care and level of service which she provides to her clients, which can be seen in the reviews and testimonials including the 5* Review received from a client in relation to a Family Investment Company. Rebecca has developed great referrer relationships with accountants, corporate finance advisors and other professional who also regularly send work to her, which over the years has generated significant fees for the Corporate team and wider Firm, through cross referrals to other teams at Forbes. Rebecca is known for her exceptional organisational and presentational skills, and is comfortable handling work far above many of her peers and takes pride in the level of commitment and client service she brings to each and every transaction on which she works. Rebecca manages multiple large transactions at any one time and typically takes the project management lead on these matters. As part of this role Rebecca works closely with other teams within the Firm to complete extensive due diligence and disclosure exercises, as well as dealing with the other corporate elements of the transaction and negotiating the transactional documents with the other parties. Rebecca has acted on a number of high value deals which include: Advising on the sale of a multimillion pound sale of a Property Investment company, with a value of circa £6m and working closely with the Commercial Property with regards to the due diligence and disclosures required; Advising on the acquisition of an electrical supplier, with a value of £3m, which involved the exercise of an EMI Scheme pre-Completion to multiple employees; Advising one of the principal retail banks in the UK on a multimillion pound facility to a customer, in relation to an acquisition of a caravan site and refinance of existing borrowings, with a total loan value of £8m. The transaction included a variety of security including multiple debentures, cross company guarantees, personal guarantees and legal charges Advising the acquiring company in relation to an Employee Ownership Trust valued at £8m including reviewing and advising on the SPA, EOT Trust Deed and articles of association of the EOT company. The combination of Rebecca’s role in the Corporate team, reputation with clients and referrers, and workload has resulted in Rebecca exceeding her financial targets year upon year whilst also brining in significant fees for the wider Firm. Rebecca was highlighted in the 2025 Lancashire Business View Sub36 for her leadership within the Corporate team and her contribution to developing people, driving growth and delivering more than legal expertise. In addition to her role in the Corporate team, Rebecca is also the secretary of the Forbes Foundation, which is a registered charity providing support to children in England. Rebecca organises various charitable fundraising events in support of the charity alongside the Firm.

Samuel McDevitt

Samuel is a Chartered CILEX Family Litigator and brings more than 18 years of dedicated experience in family law. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of roles within the sector, developing a comprehensive understanding of the legal and practical challenges faced by families involved in complex proceedings. He now practises exclusively in public law children matters, with a particular focus on care proceedings. Samuel has significant expertise in representing parents and family members at all stages of the public law process, including during pre-proceedings and throughout care proceedings issued by local authorities. He is highly knowledgeable across a wide range of sensitive and often urgent issues, including cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury, applications relating to Deprivation of Liberty, and matters concerning Special Guardianship Orders. His experience enables him to provide clear, thorough, and pragmatic advice, ensuring that clients understand both the legal framework and the potential outcomes of their case. Samuel is committed to achieving the best possible results for those he represents, offering robust advocacy while remaining sensitive to the emotional impact these proceedings can have on individuals and families. Samuel is particularly experienced in working with vulnerable clients, including those with learning disabilities, mental health difficulties, or additional support needs. He is recognised for his empathetic and approachable manner, taking the time to understand each client’s personal circumstances and adapting his communication and representation accordingly. His supportive and accommodating approach helps clients feel heard, respected, and reassured during what can often be an extremely challenging and distressing time.

$Michael O\'Garra$

Michael O\'Garra

Michael has been engaged in criminal defence work as a solicitor for more than 30 years. Notable cases include defending in the Hillsborough case, securing an acquittal in a £110 million international money laundering VHCC. For the last 15 years he has specialised in representing corporate and individual clients in the waste industry. Dealing with regulatory issues prosecuted by the Environment Agency and landfill and VAT evasion cases prosecuted by HMRC. He has successfully defended against Environment Agency in the magistrates and Crown courts- cases prosecuted as frauds. He has taken a number of cases to the 1st and 2nd Tier tax tribunal and is presently engaged in such a matter concerning £88 million. His present case load includes several multi £1,000,000 drugs conspiracies involving EncroChat issues as well as murder, and 3 death by dangerous driving allegations. He is instructed on two drugs importation offences. He is presently assisting and advising 3 separate corporate clients in relation to regulatory issues and permit breaches investigated by HMRC and the Environment Agency. He has successfully defended in relation to a £2 million account freezing order application made by HMRC and as a result have secured instructions in relation to a number of other ongoing such freezing order applications presently before magistrates courts in the north of England. Michael has been appointed as a peer reviewer for crime and fraud cases, VHCC specialist fraud supervisor, and have been consulted by the legal aid agency on policy making.

Ridwaan Omar

Ridwaan acts on behalf of numerous local authorities, organisations and Plc construction companies in defending Employers' and Public Liability claims. Ridwaan forms part of the high loss team with particular focus on pain syndrome claims and those involving complex liability and quantum issues. He also has considerable experience of representing organisations and public sector bodies at inquests and during health & safety investigations brought by the regulatory body, with recent examples of representing the interests of a football club at the inquest and the subsequent prosecution as a result of a fatality involving falling goalposts and a well reported incident of an inflatable bouncy castle which blew away whilst being operated. Ridwaan provides regular training to various local authorities, companies and for other organisations on his area of expertise.

Claire Opacic

Claire is a partner in the casualty team and deals with a mixture of employers' liability and public liability claims. She also handles claims with issues under the New Roads and Street Works Act and has experience with product liability claims under the Consumer Protection Act and Sales of Goods Act, acting for both manufacturers and suppliers.

Simon Ost

Employment law partner. Former international law firm partner with over 14 years’ experience advising blue-chip corporates on all aspects of employment law. Highly rated by the legal journals for many years. Works with some of the world’s biggest corporate brands. Part of a unique team of talented employment partners who have moved out of large traditional law firms and who now provide equally effective solutions through a more efficient, boutique employment law firm. Advises on all aspects of employment law and industrial relations issues. Best known for resolving highly sensitive employment problems, advising on the strategy and implementation of change programmes (whether large-scale redundancies, restructuring or relocations) and dealing with difficult industrial relations issues. Particular strengths include tactical foresight, legal clarity and commercial common sense; so that, no matter how complex or difficult the issue, clients have a solution that works both legally and practically. Like each of his talented colleagues at e3, focus is always on achieving the client’s goal and, just as importantly, doing so in the way that the client wants to achieve it.

Shane Parkin

Shane has over 25 years’ experience working in criminal law. He qualified in 2004 and achieved duty solicitor status soon after. He was a director at Maidment’s from 2006 until joining Forbes as a Partner within the specialist Crime division in 2019. Shane has extensive experience in the detailed preparation of complex and difficult cases involving serious crime. He specialises in serious, grave and complex matters such as terrorism, murder, cyber-crime, international and national drug conspiracies and serious RTAs. In recent years, Shane has been involved a number of substantial drugs cases involving EncroChat arising from Operation Venetic. During the last 12 months Shane has represented clients charged with conspiracy to import class A and class B drugs, serious sexual offences linked to a grooming gang, conspiracy to steal high value cars, conspiracy to commit burglary and causing death by dangerous driving. Shane also has significant experience of defending vulnerable clients in murder cases who suffer from serious mental health issues. Shane also has notable experience representing youth defendants charged with murder.

John Pickervance

John is a Partner heading up the Commercial department and continues to oversee significant growth in the department. This has resulted in the further expansion of the team’s personnel and the subsuming of the ‘Governance, Procurement and Information’ department into the Commercial team. The growth of the department has made it recognised as the region’s most specialist Commercial offering outside of the cities and resulted in work towards the implementation of sub-teams. John is the Head of Forbes’ Manufacturing & Engineering sector group and takes an active role in Forbes’ Construction sector group and wider business development, particularly with regards the firm’s sponsorship of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce’s International Trade Club and its membership of LawPact. With regards LawPact, John maintains his role on the board of directors and is the firm’s lead representative for this network, coordinating referrals in and out. John’s work within the Commercial team relates predominantly to contractual, intellectual property and construction-related matters and he regularly assists clients with trading on a domestic and international basis. John’s ability to retain clients and reignite those who have become ‘dormant’ makes him a key player in managing Forbes’s SME client book and successfully nurturing those clients ready for large transactions.

Ruth Rule-Mullen

Ruth has been our Head of the Public Sector Employment sine 2018 having specialised in employment law for over 25 She delivers sound strategic advice from a position of knowledge and experience, with an impressive understanding of the sector and the specific challenges public sector clients face. She is adept at identifying issues early and providing pragmatic advice to clients tailored to their desired outcomes whilst also offering support and reassurance as to the way forward. She advises on the more complex matters where experience is needed in managing clients’ teams; their trade union relations; their reputational risks; and has a sound understanding of the need for value in line with public sector principles and how clients utilise public money. During 2025-26, she is proud to have led a talented and hard working team who put clients at the forefront of their advice and support. Ruth has played an integral role in supporting, mentoring and developing the team by providing supervision and commercial strategic overview; supporting delegation of work and allocating clients to align with the right team members for them and their work. Ruth is recognised for her key role in securing new clients and managing client relationships; having worked via tender process and seizing opportunities within the sector; whilst still being available to clients to provide complex and technical advice. She works hard to engage with potential new clients; referrers and contacts at an early stage to understand their specific needs and explore ways of working that present quality and value in achieving desired objectives. This allows her to lead the team bringing niche ways of working and new ideas for development of markets where there is sufficient demand whilst sustaining long standing relationships. Ruth is frequently recognised by clients and contacts within the education and public sectors as someone who is a more than able communicator; direct, decisive, and pragmatic and is sought out by clients for her approachability and her ability to work with them to provide solutions. She is sought out regularly due to her reputation in the sector and is able to ably signpost clients to other colleagues in the relevant sectors. Ruth has a particular eye for detail, and has a strong client care ethic with willingness to listen and address the issues clients face which is demonstrated by her long standing relationships with clients. ‎ She is a Trustee for a multi academy trust which gives her another perspective on the issues her clients experience. She has represented both employees and employers at Employment Tribunal, including conducting her own advocacy on multi-day cases. Ruth is also highly experienced in negotiating complex settlements and exits for her clients, and is a skilled investigator. Ruth has carried out several complex and high-profile investigations on behalf of clients and provides strategic advice around complex redundancy and restructures, TUPE and complex discrimination cases. She has recently supported clients to work with colleagues who advise on exclusions and SEND issues arising from complaints received by clients in the education sector. Ruth is a trusted advisor to many clients and colleagues and is recognised as a regular and knowledgeable speaker at events. She has hosted regular Q&As for the Education sector on a variety of topics bringing different areas of law to the sector. She presents webinars and bespoke training sessions to clients including most recently sexual harassment; Employment Rights Act and pay negotiations – collective bargaining, the impact of AI on education. She leads on building profile and presence for the team working in partnership with the Key; ISBL; and LASBM in the education sector. Ruth was involved in speaking at a Panel session at the ISBL national conference in 2025 addressing business leaders in education and following her address was complemented for her understanding of the challenges faced in the sector. She is also a regular contributor on social media and in the press; having been quoted a number of times on press pieces in the education sector and updating the sector; being ahead of the curve on dealing with the real issues in education. She and the team have recently hosted Mock Employment Tribunals; frequent Q&A sessions and Mock Disciplinary cases to provide both paid training and added value for some existing clients and potential new clients. She also recognises the significant contribution of her immediate team and the wider Forbes Education and Housing team; who work together to support the growth and presence in the sectors.

Helen Shirbon

Helen Shirbon is joint Head of the Family team and leads the firm’s public law children practice. Working alongside Rubina Vohra, she plays a key role in the strategic development and continued growth of the department and the wider firm. Helen has been a member of Resolution since 2001 and has held continuous membership of the Law Society Children Panel since the same year, acting for both parents and children in public law proceedings. Helen is a specialist in children law and domestic abuse, and obtained Higher Rights of Audience in 2005, reflecting her long-standing focus on advocacy and complex court work. Since 2010, she has developed a strong niche in public law children’s cases, with the majority of her instructions involving work alongside CAFCASS and representing children in care proceedings and highly complex private law disputes. Helen is regularly instructed by Children’s Guardians in matters involving serious safeguarding concerns, urgent interim applications and high-conflict litigation. She is known for her calm and decisive approach in fast-moving cases, frequently handling complex and time-sensitive instructions, including out-of-hours matters, where clear strategy and robust representation are critical.

Jennifer Smith

Jennifer joined the firm as a Partner in July 2021, to develop and lead on the firm’s Manchester employment strategy. In September 2024 she was promoted to the position of Head of Commercial Employment, covering both Lancashire and Manchester. Jennifer now leads on the firm’s overall commercial employment strategy, to grow and expand the employment department. A key achievement over the last 12 months, is the building of a solid international client base, which has brought significant additional revenue to the department. The commercial employment team has seen continued significant growth following Jennifer’s appointment, with impressive new client wins. Jennifer continues to work hard to establish strategic partnerships with other organisations and build the Forbes brand within Manchester and Lancashire. Forbes have a strategic relationship with Pro-Manchester and the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer uses her network to collaborate with other well-established businesses, to help build the Forbes brand in Manchester, including the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub. Jennifer was invited to present alongside the UK MD of Hays Recruitment at an invitation only round table event, as a result of the positive feedback regarding Jennifer’s style. Jennifer is recognised and actively sought after as a speaker in the North West on employment and HR matters, regularly speaking at events hosted by the CIPD, charities, government bodies and collaborating with commercial businesses. As a result of her professional reputation as a leading employment law expert and accessible and attentive business advisor in the Manchester business community, Jennifer continues to be an executive director of Pro-Manchester, the largest business development organisation in the North West and has been voted to be the Chair in 2027. Jennifer takes a dynamic and pragmatic approach to finding workable commercial solutions for her clients and provides the best service possible by listening to her client's goals and then being honest and realistic from the outset. Jennifer advises and assists private sector clients, from local SMEs to large multinational companies and PLCs, with particular expertise in the retail, manufacturing and recruitment industries. Jennifer deals with complex restructures and highly sensitive board disputes. She has been invited to provide training and strategy sessions to a variety of different boards of directors, on matters such as sexual harassment in the workplace and difficult restructure touch points, to try and avoid litigation flowing from the process.

Emma Swan

Since September 2024 Emma has become the Divisional Lead for the Commercial Division. As Divisional Lead she is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the commercial legal services, business development, and operational management within the Commercial Division working closely with the Commercial Heads of Department and their teams in corporate, commercial, commercial litigation, property litigation, commercial property, commercial employment, insolvency and debt recovery. Forbes Divisional approach aims to bring greater expertise to our services, further strategic growth and enhanced collaboration across the Divisions all whilst ensuring that we continue to meet and exceed our clients' expectations. Emma has maintained key client relationships on behalf of the team and the firm as a whole, being responsible for delivering the Division’s key client programme. Emma was nominated to sit on the British Chambers of Commercial National Policy Committee for Employment by the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. The committee works to provide feedback and guidance to the Government on both current employment law legislation and proposed legislation. This work has been especially important since the change of Government and the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill with regular consultations taking place from prior to the election on the Labour party’s proposals and remain ongoing, with representations being made on the impact of proposed changes and feeding back on the views of Chamber members. The committee includes individuals from industry, HR, recruitment, and a business immigration solicitor. Emma is also recognised and actively sought after as a speaker in the Northwest on employment and HR matters. She has regularly spoken at events hosted by CIPD, ACAS and with other partner organisations. During the pandemic she regularly spoke on BBC Radio and quoted in national newspapers (both in print and online). Emma was also asked by The Right Honourable Jack Straw to become a Trustee of Blackburn Youth Zone (BYZ), having provided pro bono assistance and guidance to both the BYZ Board and its business patrons for many years and particularly during the pandemic. As part of her role as Trustee she is responsible for the legal obligations on the BYZ and also sits on its Business Development and People committees. Emma takes a dynamic and pragmatic approach to finding workable commercial solutions for clients. She is highly driven and valued by clients not only as an employment lawyer, but also as a business adviser who is accessible and attentive. She has considerable experience and expertise throughout employment law practice, including: Engaging with clients at a strategic level advising on employment aspects of restructures, transfers, mergers and acquisitions; Advising on TUPE, with particular expertise in service provision changes; Highly experienced advocacy in Employment Tribunal cases, appearing in tribunals throughout England, Wales and Scotland; Managing day-to-day HR issues, particularly involving discrimination; and Providing practical and strategic training to business owners, directors, management, and HR teams.

Rubina Vohra

Rubina Vohra leads the private client family team and co-heads the wider family team, playing a strategic role in its growth and development. A continued and re-accredited family law advanced practitioner, she is known for her pragmatic client-focused approach and ability to handle complex private law matters, including finance cases with international elements and sensitive children matters. She is particularly experienced in complex financial remedy proceedings, including cases involving business interests, partnerships and companies, and matters with a foreign element. Rubina is a bi-lingual British Asian Muslim, which helps her build meaningful links with ethnic minority communities and clients who require a cultural awareness of their family situation. Whilst Rubina has become an integral part of the growth of the department in both geographical reach and specialism, she continues to take on cases, providing representation for clients and maintaining a high level of service. She continues to attend court hearings and carrying out her own advocacy in complex and sensitive cases. Rubina is known for providing a highly personal end-to-end service and conducts the majority of her own advocacy, enabling clients to benefit from continuity, responsiveness and clear strategic direction throughout proceedings. Rubina’s reputation means that she receives the majority of her work through recommendation, particularly having been in the local circuit for over 20 years. Rubina champions the whole community, making sure the team are able to represent those who are vulnerable, requiring legal aid and also high-net-worth individuals. Rubina provides pro bono consultations via community groups and building a larger community for the Forbes family team, creating additional referral work for the community and those that run the groups. Alongside her litigation practice, Rubina is committed to community engagement and improving access to advice, including raising awareness of the links between relationship breakdown and mental health through one-off consultations with community groups. She has built longstanding relationships with local support organisations, including a refuge that has become a trusted hub for ethnic minority clients. Rubina has personally managed complex cases, including those that have come part-way through a case. Many clients come to Rubina after a negative experience representing themselves and she’s known for being able to pivot difficult cases towards favourable outcomes. This is with parental alienation, challenges with CAFCASS, challenging hostile opponents and high wealth cases. She also has strong expertise in high-conflict private children disputes, including cases requiring fact-finding hearings, parental alienation issues, and challenges to guardian recommendations. She has also developed a strong reputation in modern family work, including private children cases involving alternative fertility arrangements and same-sex couples, particularly where parental responsibility and legal recognition issues arise. Her straight-talking, empathetic manner consistently wins clients’ loyalty and recommendations. Rubina has a real passion for the work that she does, and her goal is to grow the team in geography and in expertise, and individual passions for team members to bring to continue to build upon the strength of the family team. She plays a central role in the team’s strategic growth, developing new referral streams and strengthening the firm’s presence across key geographic and client sectors. Client Testimonials “I used Rubina Vohra at Forbes for advice and help with my recent divorce. I had previously seen another solicitor - I had 2 hours of an appointment, ended up in tears and feeling stressed and paid £350 for the pleasure. My first meeting with Rubina couldn't have been more different - I came out feeling empowered, in control, had a clear understanding of the process and knew exactly what I needed to do and how things were likely to play out. Rubina and Melanie were both easy and pleasant to deal with. I got honest, clear advice and would definitely recommend.”

Elizabeth Whitaker

She specialises in the drafting of Wills and Trusts, Probate, inheritance tax planning including advising in relation to Agricultural and Business Property reliefs, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the Court of Protection Deputyship applications. Elizabeth takes the lead on probate work within the team and has broad experience in dealing with almost every possible scenario in probate matters, including complex family situations and relationships, high value estates, estates including overseas assets, estates including agricultural assets, intestacies, insolvent estates, applications for a variety of limited grants of representation, estates with ongoing trust arrangements and estates with agricultural and business succession issues. Elizabeth also has significant experience in advising High Net Worth individuals in relation to estate planning and Wills. Elizabeth is known for her pragmatic approach and ability to problem solve and generate solutions for clients. Elizabeth is often described by her clients as “approachable and supportive whilst maintaining professionalism at all times”, as acting with “a high level of professionalism and courtesy”, going “above and beyond for her clients” and providing a “phenomenal service”. She is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a fully accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.

Pauline Wild

Pauline took the role of Managing Partner in 2022 and prior to this she was the Head of the firm’s Corporate team overseeing the firm’s commercial strategy. Alongside the other members of the Executive Committee Pauline sets the strategic direction of the firm and plays a leading role in the delivery of that strategy and in the delivery and performance of our teams. Pauline has led on the development of the firm’s Purpose, Vision and Values and passionately believes in the difference between Forbes and other law firms and how we as a business redefine how people feel about lawyers from both an internal and external perspective. Pauline is a passionate, authentic, empathetic leader who truly cares about the development of others. Pauline has dedicated over 22 years of her career to Forbes and is exceptionally proud to be custodian of the firm in her role as Managing Partner. Pauline is a very well-respected corporate lawyer who has been consistently accredited in the Legal 500 as a leading individual in corporate work. Her impressive journey at Forbes, her understanding of the firm’s culture, its people, its clients and her deep understanding of business leaves her very well placed to lead the firm in the next phase of the firm’s journey.

Andrew Wilkinson

Andrew joined Forbes in 2019 as a paralegal in the firm’s Commercial Litigation department and after undertaking a training contract with the firm, qualified into the Commercial Property department in 2023. Andrew assists a range of clients both locally and nationally with a range of commercial property related matters, including buying and selling public houses, agricultural land and other commercial properties, leases of commercial premises and telecommunications apparatus, and secured lending matters. A recent client (tenant of offices to be used in connection with an education and training centre) commented: “I can quite honestly say, I have never worked with such a professional, supportive, understanding solicitor, until we came across Andrew. He is exceptional! He guided us through each and every aspect, his communication was exceptional. I would HIGHLY recommend Andrew and would 100% use him for all future work.” Experience includes: Assisting with the purchase and subsequent sale of agricultural land for £2m; Assisted with the sale of farm land and buildings from a private individual and a pension scheme for £550,000; Acted for a tenant taking on a lease of offices in relation to an education and training centre for a 5 year term in the Preston area; Assisting on the transfer of 15 properties from one pensions scheme to another with a combined value in the region of £3.6m; Assisting landowners entering into a new agreement for telecommunications equipment to be installed or retained at the Property; Assisting a private individual in changing the Designated Premises Supervisor on a Premises Licence and assisting with changing the Premises Licence into her own name; Assisting a developer in obtaining development finance in the sum of £2.3m to facilitate a development in Cumbria; and Assisting a property developer in the sale of a block of flats in the region of £700,000 which involved liaising with property and letting agents and communicating the change in ownership to the tenants.