Partner Profiles
Roger Medlock
Our Senior Partner Roger Medlock joined Woodcocks as a trainee in 1970 after attending the University of London Kings College, and the College of Law in Guildford. He has practised widely in family law, is a member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association) and has dealt with many high value ancillary relief applications, in particular cases involving pension issues, company valuations and high value clients.
Roger also provides specialist advice to employers and employees in contentious and non-contentious matters, regularly representing clients at employment tribunals.
In 2001 he was awarded a post graduate diploma in Employment Law from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Roger also has wide experience in all types of property work including substantial commercial property transactions, sale and lease back projects and advice to businesses on a wide range of issues.
(Haslingden) 01706 233 438
rjm@woodcocks.co.uk
David R Smith
Handling non-contentious work, David has been a partner since 1974 and is a member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
That means he has proven expertise in the administration of estates and trusts and related tax issues (especially Inheritance Tax). David also handles all types of conveyancing matters including substantial commercial property transactions involving considerations of many millions and incorporated businesses ranging from small and medium-sized transactions to take-overs and buy-outs of limited companies. He has extensive expertise of company and commercial matters including a recent MBO in excess of £3,000,000.
(Haslingden) 01706 213356
drs@woodcocks.co.uk
David Connor
Specialising in criminal and family law, David is on the Law Society Children Panel and an Advanced Member of the Law Society Family Law Panel. He handles all care cases originating in the Rossendale Valley, along with residence and contact matters. A member of the Bury and Rossendale Duty Solicitor schemes, David has been with Woodcocks since his Law Society finals.
(Bacup) 01706 874487
dac@woodcocks.co.uk
David McCann
David established our sister company Procredit and has 15 years' experience in commercial litigation, insolvency and intellectual property, together with debt collection work, ranging up to major High Court and Court of Appeal litigation cases.
He was appointed independent solicitor to the liquidator of two companies involved in proceedings in the Royal Courts of Justice. David plays an active role in the Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Bury committee and is working with the Manchester office to lobby the government and DTI about recent changes to insolvency legislation.
(Bury) 0161 761 4611
dmm@woodcocks.co.uk
Andrew Taylor
The head of Woodcocks' property team, Andrew is also property advisor to Procredit. Andrew's experience of acting for insolvency practitioners covers all issues of asset protection and realisation involving negotiation, acquisition and sale.
He has taken numerous appointments from insolvency practitioners and has substantial connections with individuals and companies interested in the acquisition of land and other assets. As a leading regional lawyer in the field of residential development, he regularly advises developers in site acquisition and assembly, infrastructure and planning agreements, and plot sales.
0161 761 8071
art@woodcocks.co.uk
Berin Jones
Berin is in charge of our personal injury team and has been a partner since May 1999. Brought up in Bury, he went to Hull University and Chester College of Law, qualifying as a solicitor in 1993.
Berin's speciality is high value cases where both the injuries and the effects of the injuries have had a catastrophic effect on the client and his/her family. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), an organisation which promotes both good practice and putting the client's interests first.
(Bury) 0161 761 4611
bmj@woodcocks.co.uk
(Bury) 0161 761 4611
gdh@woodcocks.co.uk
Margaret Mahon
Partner and head of the Family Law Department at our Bury office, Margaret has been with Woodcocks since 1992. She is involved in all aspects of family law, including domestic violence, cohabitation and divorce, and specialises in children work with particular emphasis on childcare cases. On both the Law Society Children Panel and Family Law Panel (advanced), she is also a member of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association) and Child Concern. Margaret sits on Mental Health Review Tribunals.
(Bury) 0161 761 4611
mm@woodcocks.co.uk
Stephen Parr
Stephen joined Woodcocks in 1997 as a trainee and qualified in 1999. He specialises in wills and probate, Court of Protection matters and conveyancing and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the leading professional body for the trust and estate profession worldwide.
(Haslingden) 01706 213356
sjp@woodcocks.co.uk
Michael Shroot:
Partner and Head of the Employment Law, Michael Shroot joined Woodcocks in 2003, having trained in a niche commercial law firm in London. He is an expert in employment law and all types of commercial dispute resolution, including complex and high value disputes, as well as advising the Pro-credit division of Woodcocks in respect of employment related advice for insolvent companies.
Michael also boasts a wealth of experience advising all sizes of businesses from PLC's to sole traders, directors and other high level employees.
Michael has a Masters degree in Employment Law, which he gained in 2009 whilst working at the firm and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
Michael also leads regular seminars and training sessions which highlight the latest developments in the fast changing employment law scene.
0161 761 8087
mds@woodcocks.co.uk
Keith Pilkington (Consultant)
Head of the criminal law department with an incomparable reputation locally, Keith is probably the most often mentioned lawyer in the Valley's weekly newspaper! A graduate of University College London who qualified in 1970, he has recently undertaken a post-graduate diploma in Employment Law at Manchester Metropolitan University and is one of our employment specialists.
(Rawtenstall) 01706 232 039
kp@woodcocks.co.uk (Consultant)