Colin Warner
Director, Family Solicitor and Court of Protection Deputy
Having left college after finishing his A-levels, Colin joined a local firm of Solicitors as a legal clerk, undertaking his degree and finals part time in the evenings. Colin began dealing with family work at the inception of the Children Act 1989, before moving to Waddington & Son to head up the Family Department in 2007. He was made a partner during 2008 and became the firm’s sole Director in June 2017. Colin has been on the Children’s Panel since 2008 and now, almost exclusively, represents children through their Guardians, conducting as much of the advocacy as possible, with a reputation of being able to take urgent and complex cases. He also deals with divorce and ancillary relief.
Colin also heads up the Court of Protection team, being one of only nine Court of Protection Professional Panel Deputies in the north west. He was a member of the inaugural training committee and remains a member, responsible for the Lancashire Family Justice Conference that takes place annually. Colin was invited to speak on behalf of the profession at His Honour Judge Rawkins’ (DFJ, Lancashire) valedictory in 2016.
He is also a member of the Lancashire Family Justice Council and of the Adoption Best Practice Forum in Lancashire. Colin is a member of the Professional Deputies’ Forum which has recently been formed to give professional Deputies a voice. He has represented parties in the following reported cases:- LCC and A,B,Z
Trish Hassell
Director and Family Solicitor
Trish has worked within the legal sector since leaving school. Whilst starting employment in an administrative role, she went on to qualify as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. Not content with that, she went on to study Law and graduated with a Graduate Diploma with Commendation from the University of Central Lancashire, alongside working full time in Private Practice. She subsequently completed the Legal Practice Course with Distinction a year later, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2003. In 2003, Trish commenced employment as an Assistant Solicitor in the Family Department of a Morecambe based firm, but progressed to Head of Department in a large high street practice in Lancaster in 2010 where she remained until May 2018.
In 2018 Trish joined Waddington & Son, and in 2019 became the firm’s first female Director in it’s 125 year history. Following the firm’s success in Burnley, Trish now continues her role as a Family Solicitor whilst managing the recently acquired and renovated Blackburn Office. Trish initially practiced all areas of Family Law but now specialises in Local Authority care proceedings, and in particular representing children and parents in complex cases. Trish has been a Member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel since 2012 as well as being a Member of, and Accredited Specialist, with Resolution.
Rosemary Williams
Solicitor
Rosemary was admitted as a solicitor in 1994, having previously trained in a leading commercial firm in Dublin where she first qualified and started out. She has specialised in family law for over thirteen years, working under leading specialists in Liverpool, Manchester and Bury.
She has also qualified as a collaborative practitioner to conduct round-table legal negotiations.
Sarah Shaun
Senior Legal Cashier
Sarah brings a wide breadth of experience to her role as our senior legal cashier – not to mention a Law degree.
Sarah worked in retail and within her own family business before deciding to turn to the legal profession 12 years ago.
She achieved her Law degree at UCLan in 2007 before taking on the challenge of practice manager at a leading Lancashire law firm, later switching to a senior position in accounts.
Born in Coventry, Sarah moved to Colne with her family aged 10 and continues to live there, citing family and holidays as her main interests outside work.
Assunta Wood
Legal Secretary
Assunta spent 30 years in insurance prior to taking up a legal secretary position with Sarah Bentley Ltd.
Assunta’s career has included a spell as a company secretary, alongside extensive experience in general administration and sales.
Born in Accrington and a former pupil at Mount Carmel High School, she still lives in the town and spends any free time caring for her family and walking.