Slater Heelis > Manchester, England > Firm Profile

Diversity

We have a firm-wide target to focus on diversity and inclusion. We are fully committed to the elimination of unfair discrimination and we see the value that a diverse workforce brings to the firm. We have an EDI policy that covers all protected characteristics and works to value meritocracy, openness, fairness and transparency. The policy is  applicable  to  all  employees,  agency  staff,  clients,  communities,  suppliers  and consultants, whether permanent or temporary.

In 2021 the firm’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion steering group was set up, which is run by 7 individuals from different levels within the business, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The committee has rolled out internal communications to educate colleagues on the value and importance of using inclusive language to showcase a welcoming and safe environment by including pronouns on email signatures and on our intranet.

With colleagues from a range of backgrounds and beliefs across the firm, the ED&I committee has done the groundwork to educate before implementing.

By broadening our talent pool by advertising jobs on a more diverse range of platforms and offering internships to individuals through college partnerships and the 10000 Black Interns Scheme, we demonstrate an openness to all applicants, not just those who may already have heard of us. In a matter of days we saw an exceptional increase in both the number of applications and the diversity within the talent pool.

Not only are we encouraging better representation and inclusion across the firm, but by developing this we are able to demonstrate a workforce that will better resemble society and our broad client base. We strive to move away from a business run by all white cisgender males by planning the implementation of an internal development platform, and as such clients from all walks of life will be able to see a law firm filled with people just like them, and feel more comfortable in approaching us.

Sustainability

Slater Heelis is an accredited Living Wage Foundation Employer, and with regards to the business’ impact on the environment, we are committed, amongst other initiatives, to:

• efficient printing
• reducing the amount of waste produced by the business
• ensuring that water/electricity is used responsibly by our staff
• recycling materials as extensively as possible
• using technology to lessen the need for travel
• the promotion of agile working to reduce our carbon footprint

Pro Bono

We offer Pro Bono advice to service users of the LGBT Foundation in Manchester. Our Head of Family, Mark Heptinstall, and Head of Crime, Rachel Fletcher, provide this service.

Client Testimonials

CLIENT: N/A
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Slater Heelis and in particular my solicitor Amy Dawber has been fantastic to work with. I was looking for a solicitor to help with a non molestation and occupation order and was extremely happy with the service provided. Time was of the essence and the work needed was done quickly and sensitively. The legal process was explained in layman’s terms i could understand. I would certainly recommend Amy and Slater Heelis.

CLIENT: Tony Lee
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: I recently had to pleasure of working with Daniel Stern on a contractual dispute representing a high profile client of ours.

Daniel did not disappoint and worked tirelessly to get the result we required.

I would highly recommend him to any of our future clients and look forward to working with him again in the near future.

CLIENT: Hamed
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Mark is an excellent solicitor who loves and respects his profession dearly. He is an amazing person with excellent communication skills. He listens carefully to what you tell him and understands it fully before providing an accurate answer that leaves no unclear corners or doubts. He gives all the possible scenarios and the responses to each one of them. I am absolutely grateful.

CLIENT: Shakila
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: I write to express my sincere and heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Elizabeth Wilkinson and her team. I was provided a highly professional and competent service in both a friendly and accessible manner. Elizabeth helped my family and I during a very challenging time and at the start of the pandemic. Her approach was thorough and transparent. She was professional and worked diligently to the end and was completely understanding . I achieved the outcome and justice was served . I would highly recommend this firm !

CLIENT: Kim H
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: From my first consultation with Mark, I knew I was in good hands. I needed someone that was knowledgeable, experienced and considerate to assist me with my divorce. I went through such an emotional and traumatic experience throughout the last few months. But Mark and his team were always on hand to help out and Mark always ensured that things were cost effective. Chloe was also such a great help with the non molestation and occupation order. It’s been such a hard journey but I honestly could not have made it through the last few months with out Mark’s exceptional counsel. I would not hesitate to recommend Mark and his team to anyone. Mark is the best especially with complicated family issues.

CLIENT: Kris Halliwell
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Contacted Slaterheelis on a personal recommendation from someone who had a great experience with the company. Made telephone contact needing some urgent advice with on on going issue with the CMS. Received a call back within a few hours established the nature of my enquiry and then Jodi called me that same afternoon. Jodi was amazing and provided clear guidance on a number of issues which enabled me to take the important right next steps! great company, lightening fast response to the enquiry and then professional and personal legal guidance. Thank you Jodi and team!

CLIENT: Sharon
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: I have been incredibly fortunate to have Alexandra Goldrein acting as my lawyer. Divorce is never going to be easy, and being in lockdown/the pandemic added to the difficulty. Alex was a tower of strength and support to me during this time, and I genuinely would have struggled without her help.

Alex is razor sharp. She is a tactically astute family lawyer with incredible skill, gaining insight into your particular situation very quickly. Alex always acts with total professionalism and empathy. She is on the ball, very down to earth, and is one of the most genuinely caring people I have come across.

Alexandra Goldrein works tirelessly at a level way beyond her grade and is more than a match for anyone she comes up against – I would absolutely recommend her to anyone going through divorce, you will be in safe, skilled and supportive hands.

CLIENT: Frank Morris
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Can I thank you for a great job in providing me with some reasonable clarity on my position and affording me the knowledge of where I stood/stand in this RR V SRL stand-off.

CLIENT: Ray
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: You might think this review is fake because of how positive it is but I can assure you it’s not and it’s as genuine as it gets ! I’m only so passionate about this because I understand how it feels as a dad to be alienated from your child when you’ve done nothing wrong and you hit rock bottom so I’d like anyone seeing this that’s in a similar position to really listen.

I was panicking because I had just gotten rid of my old solicitor a week before my first court date in regards to contact with my son and Alexandra reached out to me after an enquiry.

I cannot stress that Alexandra had a week or so to get everything done that my previous solicitor at Harold G Walker had done poorly. Alexandra provided everything to a high quality along with providing me with what I believe the most important thing, honesty.

She also made me understand exactly where I stood and what I should do next etc and not only did it pay off but it actually made me understand exactly what’s going on and for someone who has no knowledge of this prior it was pretty clear. Alexandra provided me with amazing communication and didn’t just view me as a money making scheme but as a human being going through genuine problems, this was reflected through her care when it came to approaching me with discussing finances and discussing the ongoing situation. I would definitely recommend her to anyone going through legal family troubles especially if you’re someone who is innocent and is being taken advantage of especially and in addition if you have the finances because she is definitely one of the very best you’ll find.

CLIENT: Bruno
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Being the first time I found myself in a situation where I needed a legal solicitor to deal with a personal private matter, I could have not asked for a better person to represent me and help me throughout the all process.

I was fortunate to come across Rachel who from the first contact immediately put my mind a rest by conveying confidence, knowledge and reassurance.

Once I was able to describe the situation to Rachel she immediatly started all diligences to ensure all work was done before I attended my interview.

On the interview day she was by my side and delivered an excellent defence statement which ultimately together with my account ensured the right outcome was achieve and justice prevailed.

Rachel helped me more than I can honestly say. She supported me throughout the process and help me in such a way that without her I am unsure how I would have coped mentally with the pressure of such situation.

I highly recommend Rachels services as she could not done better for me. Rachel is reassuring, has a vast amount of knowledge, is supportive, honest and very approachable.

Thank you Rachel

CLIENT: Anonymous
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Alex was an invaluable help through my divorce proceedings. I had some previous experience with a different lawyer (at another law firm) who I did not have a positive experience with. When moving to Alex at Slater Heelis right from the beginning I got a superior service.

Not only is Alex’ knowledge and experience great, but she is an excellent communicator, able to distill issues down to the most relevant points and present the options available clearly, concisely and with the related pros / cons of each approach in such a way that I was able to make decisions as and when needed along the way. Alex was also always pro-active in following up unresolved issues so that matters progressed.

I would not hesitate to recommend Slater Heelis in general, and Alexandra Goldrein in particular for Family Law matters.

CLIENT: Anonymous
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Rebecca dealt with a financial dispute which arose when I separated from my partner of 14 years. Whilst I was optimistic of the outcome being in my favour, there were still huge doubts and legal implications which didn’t go in my favour. After the first meeting with Rebecca, I was made aware of the various options available to me & also the implications of each. At no point did Rebecca make any promises or guarantees so I was prepared for every eventuality.

I found Rebecca very professional & knowledgeable from the outset & It was clear that she was quite tenacious.

She kept me informed at all times and the way her correspondence was worded with the opposing solicitor was very impressive.

The outcome worked entirely in my favour and this was all down to Rebecca. She is someone who I trusted from the start, she didn’t judge & these things are all very important. I would not hesitate to use Rebecca again at any time in the future. She is a huge asset to her company.

CLIENT: Anonymous
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: I am writing to personally say how much I appreciate the lengths and efforts of David during my recent divorce in which he handled very professionally. The hard work and diligent effort David applied to this case has been very reassuring in that I felt at ease and comfortable discussing every aspect and detail that was paramount to the divorce.

At the beginning of the divorce my mental health and well being was at its lowest and David was always honest about how the case could go for either side. At the time this was probably not the news I wanted to hear but I am so grateful that he was honest during this time.

David was always available to speak whenever I needed clarification on any queries and was understanding of my work commitments considering I run a day service for severely mentally ill clients, and this had on occasion impacted the timings of my replies to David’s emails or telephone calls.

David worked tirelessly to ensure we had gathered enough documentation for my case to help us get the best outcome.

Please accept my sincere gratitude for David’s efforts during the most stressful time of my life. Myself and my family could not be more at ease.

CLIENT: Anonymous
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: Wow! I wonder whether I was dreaming! Ms Charlotte Beck truly is the best solicitor that I have ever come across in my entire life. I’m 53 years and have been in touch with too many firms and solicitors helping families and friends. I have never ever come a cross solicitor like Charlotte….she is very friendly, genuine, straight away put you at ease…. I cannot thank her enough for her time and information. She truly knows what she is talking about and even from her tune of voice, I could strongly sense that she actually genuinely cares.

I liked that I was able to ask questions and get answered in a very short turn around. While too many solicitors before giving any piece of information or advise, first mentioning about their hourly rate, I was provided with very valuable information and advise without being asked for any money. Absolutely Wonderful service with the amazing genuine Solicitor.

Thank you so much Charlotte!!!!

CLIENT: Chris Horton
COMPANY/FIRM: N/A
TESTIMONIAL: “We are a Mechanical & Electrical contractor that found ourselves to be in a precarious commercial position against a much larger main contractor. Matthew and Slater Heelis supported us through a very difficult and trying case, the levels of professionalism and depth of knowledge provided us reassurance and confidence to be able to pursue our claim to eventually achieve an agreeable outcome.

I will recommend Matthew and Slater Heelis to anyone else that needs the support of true professionals in difficult situations.”

“Having spoken to a number of solicitors for advice and becoming increasingly distressed, I found Rachel from an advert for Slater Heelis on the radio. Rachel was amazing from the very first telephone call! Having outlined my Son’s case Rachel provided knowledgeable and factual information in a personable, professional and trustful manner that put me at ease straight away. All avenues of the case were explored by Rachel and her Barrister and we were well briefed throughout the case by email, telephone and in person. Rachel was always there to answer questions about the legal aspect of things we didn’t understand. Rachel successfully got my Son’s case discontinued before the trial. This was a huge relief for both my Son and myself and we cannot thank Rachel and her Barrister enough for their dedication during this case and providing the best possible outcome for my Son. If you are ever in need of a solicitor I would highly recommend Rachel and her team!”

“Once again its a five out of five. Having been messed about on several occasions before instructing Rachel, I am pleased to say she restored my faith in the legal profession. She is bright, personable,

sensible, and highly unusually tries to keep fees to a minimum. It took a huge leap of faith to trust another solicitor but my faith was not misplaced and she (with the assistant of very capable counsel) got me a great result. She is also very friendly, down to earth and doesn’t judge. If only I’d have instructed her in the first instance. Highly recommended.”

“Hannah assisted me with a criminal case that was very emotive as it involved the future for my 2 year old son. Not only was I given very professional legal direction, Hannah was always available and communicated excellently throughout. This was of the utmost importance to me during such an emotionally stressful time. Thanks Hannah #JUSTICE”

“Hannah was above and beyond. She would answer any calls or messages nearly immediately. Kept me informed and got me the best result for my case. Give me the best professional advice. And is above all a lovely human being. I was referred to her off a friend, now I can do the same. If you want a professional solicitor that gets the right results use her. Thanks Hannah”