Law firm creates jobs with latest office opening

Lancashire and Greater Manchester law firm, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN Solicitors), has opened a new office in Clitheroe, creating four jobs.

The new office is located on King Street and takes WHN Solicitors’ network of offices to eight.

Advice on a broad range of legal matters including family law, litigation, wills and probate, conveyancing and commercial property will be available.

Staff will include experienced family lawyer Alison Nolan, litigation lawyer Katie Lofthouse, who advises on general litigation matters as well as contentious probate, together with director and head of commercial property, Nicola Phelps, and director and head of conveyancing, Graham Ireland.

The firm has additional offices in Accrington, Bacup, Blackburn, Bury, Great Harwood, Haslingden and Rawtenstall.

WHN employs 110 staff and provides an extensive range of legal services to individuals, families and businesses across all its offices.

Chief executive Michael Shroot says the firm opening an office in Clitheroe is a natural extension of its regional footprint: “We’ve always had a strong client base in the Ribble Valley and this move will allow us to be closer to those clients.

“We have some really talented solicitors based in the Clitheroe office who also happen to live in the Ribble Valley.”

The origins of WHN arise from the merger in 2012 of Woodcocks Solicitors – established in 1791 – and Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors – established in 1878.

Mr Shroot added: “In recent years some legal firms have left the town and more may consider their future as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we see Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley as a vibrant Lancashire region with a great future, and we will be investing in growing our team here.

“Given COVID-19, it will be a carefully managed office opening but we are already taking appointments and have secured a number of new cases from local clients.”