About the Team

Atkinson Firth has retained staff for many years who have brought to the firm a wealth of experience and dedication.

Mark Beedel - Director

Mark Beedel specialises in commercial law and commercial property law.

He is married with two children. His interests are films, DIY and CAMRA.

Tahira Iqbal - Director

Tahira has been qualified as a solicitor for many years. Tahira works in our Litigation Department

She has two children. Her main interests out of work are property development.

Graham Gouldsborough - Consultant

Graham is the managing partner of the business. He has all-round knowledge of many areas of law. He is married with children and grandchildren. He has been qualified since 1978.

Outside of work he is a keen dog walker and enjoys watching football.

Fiona Hedar - Consultant

Fiona Hedar has been a leading childcare lawyer in West Yorkshire for the last 30 years. She is widely sought after due to her sympathetic nature, advocacy skills and attitude in care proceedings. She is highly recommended by our clients. Fiona is now working as a consultant to the practice having been the managing partner for 30 years.

If you need to contact Fiona, please email fiona.hedar@atkinsonfirth.co.uk

Louise Blackwell – Head of Family Department

Louise Blackwell is the head of the Family department. She is a qualified Chartered Legal Executive Advocate with her rights of advocacy. She has been a member of the firm since 2022 and has been involved in the legal profession for over 20 years.

Outside of work, her hobbies are bodybuilding and dog walking.

Noshaba Gondal - Solicitor

Noshaba Gondal has been a member of our practice since 2024. She has been a qualified solicitor since 2016. She practices in residential and commercial property. She has a rapidly expanding following.

She is married with four young children.

Billie Jo Metcalfe - Trainee Solicitor

Billie Jo Metcalfe joined the practice in 2024. She is qualifying to be a solicitor practising in family work. She has recently married.

Ellie Steane - Paralegal

Ellie Steane has been a paralegal with the firm for 20 years. She has expertise in non-molestation work and assisting people in violent marriages. She is a member of the Accounts & Costing team within the Family department.

Julie Kollman - Paralegal

Julie Kollman has been a paralegal and assistant to the firm since 2006. She will answer initial enquires and provides assistance to the board of directors.

Kathleen Turner - Conveyancer

Kathleen Turner's former legal executive / licensing conveyancer now practices as a conveyancer within the firm. She has worked in the legal profession as a conveyancer for over 35 years and having initially worked as a secretary in a successful local legal practice. She now works primarily in the Conveyancing and Wills & Probate departments.

Lindsey Young - Conveyancer

Lindsey Young is a licensed as a conveyancer executive working within the Residential Conveyancing department. She specialises in dealing with sales and purchases of property.

Michelle Coulton - Conveyancing Assistant

Michelle has been a conveyancing assistant to the practice for 20 years. She has a wealth of experience in dealing with conveyancing matters in particular the conveyancing process. She is always available to answer queries in relation to conveyancing matters.

Rachael Stafford – Family Department

Rachael Stafford has been a member of the Family department for 12 years. Rachael now undertakes initial work in divorce cases and in organising information on financial applications in divorce proceedings.

Fiona Hogan - Secretary

Fiona Hogan is a secretary working in the Conveyancing department. She has worked in solicitors’ practices for over 10 years.

Zaynab Jamil - Graduate

Zaynab joined the practice in 2023. She is a law graduate. She aims to qualify as a solicitor and specializing in conveyancing and noncontentious work.

Iqra Bibi - Graduate

Iqra Bibi is a law graduate. She is working as a paralegal in the firm, assisting in both our Litigation and Conveyancing departments.

Andrew Devanny – Head of Private Client Department

Andrew is head of private client. He has previously worked in the HRMC and has worked with legal practices in private client work for over 30 years.

Outside of work his main interest is travel and camping.

Kathy Lawes – Private Clients

Kathy joined the firm in 2016 Kathy is an experienced private client practitioner in preparing Wills, powers of attorney and the administering probates.

Lynn Hoy - Receptionist

Lynn has been with Atkinson Firth since 2022. She is the first voice of the firm. She will assist you with your queries and direct you to the correct person to give you the advice and assistance that you require.

Richard Bracewell - Compliance Manager/Practice Manager

Richard Bracewell is a former member of the legal aid agency and fraud auditor for solicitor regulation authority. He is an experience businessman and access compliance officer to the practice.

Melissa White – Head of Accounts

Melissa is the head of accounts within the practice. Melissa previously had her own business and will assist you with any account information you require.

Atkinson Firth is the trading name of Atkinson Firth Solicitors Limited a company registered in England and Wales under Company No. 11070500 which is regulated by the SRA under SRA 802655