Meet the legal team.


Educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Trinity College Oxford, Peter trained as a commercial lawyer in the City of London before returning to Lancashire.

A former North West Business Insider Corporate Lawyer of the Year, Peter has been a Partner with Marsden Rawsthorn since 1986 and Head of Corporate since 1991. Peter specialises in company and commercial law, particularly mergers, acquisitions and disposals of companies and businesses.

Outside the office, Peter is a family man whose interests include sport, sailing and current affairs.

Kay is a solicitor specialising in commercial and corporate law. Kay was made a Senior Associate in July 2022.

Kay advises and assists a wide range of corporate clients from business start ups, SMEs, charities to large corporate organisations. Her particular expertise is in in mergers and acquisitions, MBOs, joint ventures and retirement sales.

She also has considerable experience in drafting shareholder and partnership agreements and various commercial contracts including terms and conditions of trade and licensing arrangements.

Kay enjoys working closely with her clients and helping them reach their business goals.

Kay studied law at Sheffield University then went on to obtain her Diploma in Legal Practice at York School of Law before qualifying as a solicitor in 1998. Kay spent 15 years at a Regional North West based firm of Solicitors where she was the head of the Corporate Department and, following a career break, she joined Marsden Rawsthorn Corporate Team in March 2017.

Fahima is due to start her training contract at this firm in September 2023. She is currently working as a paralegal assisting the corporate and employment teams.

Lisa returned to Marsden Rawsthorn in July 2015 having previously worked for the firm from 2004 to 2011. She heads up the Employment law department and her areas of expertise including the following:-

Acting for businesses

• dealing with HR advice, including advising on absence management, disciplinary and grievance procedures;
• re-organisations, restructures and redundancies;
• varying contractual terms and drafting contracts of employment and staff handbooks;
• Advising upon and drafting Restrictive Covenants;
• Providing support to our commercial team on transactions involving TUPE and Director disputes/removal of a Director; and
• Drafting Settlement Agreements.

Acting for employees

• Advising on settlement agreements
• Assisting employees through internal procedures including grievances, disciplinaries, redundancy, variation of employment contract, whistleblowing; and
• Advising on restrictive covenants;

Lisa also acts for employers and employees in connection with employment tribunal claims, including unfair and constructive dismissal, breach of contract, whistleblowing, equal pay and redundancy.  She has a keen interest in claims involving discrimination and enjoys being able to help clients who are in difficult positions and cannot see a way forward.

Outside of the office Lisa enjoys going to music festivals, watching Wigan Athletic, spending time with her family and travelling. She also finds time to keep fit by swimming.

Lisa studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University and also CIPD Level 5 (HR) at Wigan and Leigh College.

Lisa was promoted to a Senior Associate in May 2023.

Stephen studied law at Aston University and Leeds University and qualified in 1985, becoming a partner in 1989 at Hodgson and Sons and is the fourth generation in the family firm. The firm merged with Marsdens in 1999.

Stephen is the Divisional Director of the Commercial Law team at Marsden Rawsthorn and specialises in commercial property.

Outside interests include cycling, golf, skiing and music. Stephen is a supporter of Preston North End Football Club.

Nicola joined Marsden Rawsthorn in September 2015. She qualified in 2004 at Lopian Wagner Solicitors in Manchester where she was a Partner for 7 years and built up an extensive range of Commercial Property and Residential Conveyancing experience. She decided to leave the big city lights and move closer to her home town of Leyland.

Nicola has vast experience in the sale, acquisition and sale/leaseback of a variety of commercial properties, together with a huge variety of asset management work acting for both Landlords and Tenants. Nicola is the head of our commercial property team.

Nicola’s most enjoyable aspect of the job is forming a dependable relationship with clients and getting repeat business and referrals.

Outside of the office Nicola enjoys binge-watching episodes of Peppa Pig and playing with Play-Doh although she would have you believe those are really the hobbies of her young family.

If she has any rare time outside of that she enjoys cooking, reading, arts and crafts, travelling and socialising with friends.

Kirsty has worked at Marsden Rawsthorn in the Commercial Property Department since May 2017, so has seen the team grow from strength to strength. She joined Marsden Rawsthorn after a successful career in PI in Manchester for 18 years so is no stranger to the legal world.

Kirsty was promoted to an Associate in July 2022.

Kirsty deals with residential transactions for investors including sales, purchases and bank re-finances, and is used to the high pace and pressure that comes hand in hand with the same.

Kirsty has recently started running, but would not yet class herself as a ‘runner’ – she is working on that part

In her spare time away from work, Kirsty enjoys spending as much time with her daughter as allowed, being a general geek for all things Doctor Who and Harry Potter related, reading anything that isn’t related to work, and (when permitted) travelling. Sometimes she can even combine all 4 of these hobbies in one!

Jennie began working at Marsden Rawsthorn at the beginning of September 2015 as a Trainee solicitor, qualifying with us in September 2017 and has most recently been promoted to Senior Associate Solicitor in July 2022.

As a key member of the Commercial Property Team, Jennie has expertise in all areas of Commercial Property but is your go-to for complex commercial transactions and residential investor portfolios. Jennie also takes an active hand in training our future solicitors, passing on her knowledge and learning new tricks of the trade wherever possible.

When she is not being driven slightly crazy by her lovely clients, Jennie enjoys keeping busy in her spare time and if she’s not on stage singing and dancing in a local amateur dramatics show, then she will be in the gym, running, reading, taking lots of pictures of her blind cat, or booking a quick getaway to explore another country.

Sophie joined the firm in 2019 and was promoted to Paralegal in 2022. Sophie is currently progressing her career in law further and is a Graduate Solicitor Apprentice. She hopes to qualify as a solicitor in the near future.

Sophie’s practise areas are residential and commercial property sales, purchases and refinances and her clients. Team members all agree that her key skills are being organised and dependable and always finding the time to answer the phone to her clients.

Outside of the office Sophie enjoys long walks on the beach, good food and cocktails with friends and family and reading.

Sharon studied law at Manchester University and obtained her degree in 1985.

Having taken a career break to raise her three sons, Sharon worked for Lloyds/TSB bank during their merger before moving into her role as office manager and PA in a property management and investment company where she worked until 2022.

In May 2022 Sharon joined Marsden Rawsthorn as a Commercial Assistant dealing with a variety of matters, assisting 2 senior lawyers in the team and managing her own caseload.

Sharon is a people person and enjoys being part of a friendly team and engaging with the clients.

Outside of the office, Sharon spends as much time as she can with her family, playing with her grandchildren and baking treats for them. She enjoys pilates and is a founder member of a vibrant book club.

Rebecca began studying for her law degree in September 2018 and looks to shortly graduate at masters level. Her favourite areas of law to study are property and family law.

Rebecca has worked in the commercial property team at Marsden Rawsthorn since September 2020. She joined the team to assist with the post-completion procedures of property transactions and instantly became enthralled with the journey and complexities of a property transaction and was hungry to gain real experience with the procedures and clients. She began to build a portfolio of her own clients in May 2021 and still continues to advise and represent clients as a Trainee Solicitor. Rebecca’s day-to-day usually consists of representing property investors who sell, buy and re-finance properties. Her favourite aspect of the job is working with a great team and having great clients who like to keep her on her toes!

Outside of work, Rebecca is a mum to a wonderful little boy Elijah and she enjoys fun days out with him as well as spending quality time with friends and family. Rebecca and her son are both big Liverpool FC supporters and they also love movie nights with snacks.

For over 20 years Karl has specialised in resolving disputes. A graduate of Hull University, he has worked at law firms in Manchester, Preston and Sydney, Australia.

With vast experience in Court work, mediation and negotiation, he resolves disputes for individuals and businesses and has experience in representing national companies and central government departments.

Working closely and enthusiastically with his clients to achieve an agreed outcome, he is keen to apply not only the applicable law but also to look at all available options for the resolution of a dispute. Combining a pragmatic approach with clear advice, an eye for detail and strong representation.

Karl deals with many areas of dispute. Amongst those are issues relating to:-

• Contracts
• Wills and Inheritance and Trusts
• Goods and Services
• Intellectual Property
• Companies and Partnerships
• Defamation and harassment

Outside of work Karl plays football weekly (not weakly) , seeks out live music and enjoys the company of his well tuned acoustic guitar.

Paul has gained a wealth of experience in all aspects of dispute resolution since qualifying as a solicitor in 1985.

He remains enthusiastic and committed at all times to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients whilst at the same time offering commercial and practical advice to help achieve good outcomes quickly at least cost.

Paul is a firm convert to alternative dispute resolution and believes that most cases can be resolved without the need to issue court proceedings, therefore, reducing cost and allowing cases to be concluded quickly whilst at the same time achieving outcomes that clients seek and are entitled to.

That said, where the need arises court proceedings will be issued and pushed forward towards settlement or trial as the case may be.

His practise includes advising on:-

• Commercial contracts
• Financial and banking disputes
• Employment restraint and competition law
• General civil and consumer type disputes.

Paul also prosecutes on behalf of the RSPCA in the charity’s commitment to the protection of animals, enabling Paul to retain and further refine his advocacy skills.

His life outside the law centres around his family, cooking and fine food, far-flung travel together with keeping fit sporadically and supporting a local and previously successful local football team.

Katy has worked in the law since 2012 and has been practising as a solicitor at Marsden Rawsthorn since 2018.  In July 2022, Katy became a Senior Associate.

A graduate of the University of Manchester and a specialist in resolving disputes,  she is an experienced court advocate and in mediation and negotiation.  Katy’s focus is on guiding her clients through these legal processes to gain the best possible outcome.

Acting for individuals and local businesses, Katy will fight your corner and will provide you with solid guidance and clear advice.  In certain circumstances, free initial advice and a fixed fee for initial work will be provided.

Katy also works closely with our wills and probate lawyers in relation to disputes about wills, trusts, probate, and inheritance.  Katy recently completed the 2-year education course of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) which has expanded her knowledge and skills, enabling her provide clients with an even better service and understanding of contentious probate work, which is a specialist area of law.

Katy deals with disputes about :

• Wills, trusts and inheritance.
• Boundary, property, and neighbour issues.
• Contracts.
• Goods and services.
• Defamation and harassment.

Katy is passionate about charity work and chairs the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility team, which was set up to better the Marsden Rawsthorn approach to charitable work, environmental issues, and the mental health/wellbeing of staff.

In supporting the charity, Lancashire Women, Katy was involved in the March into March 2021 campaign,  walking 10,000 steps each day to raise funds.  Katy annually organises the firm’s Christmas toy appeal, in support of Cash For Kids, as well as other charity events at Marsden Rawsthorn.

A volunteer Brownie Leader for Girlguiding UK, Katy has for many years also been committed to leading, supporting, and acting as a role model for young girls in Lancashire, in her spare time.

As a foodie, Katy has her own Instagram food blog where she shares her culinary experiences with other local foodies.  An ideal evening out involves a cracking film and a superb meal, each worthy of a glowing review

Testimonials about Katy:

“Katy has been a pleasure to deal with and she made what seemed to be an uncertain and stressful situation much more manageable.”

“I cannot see how the service provided by Katy could have been improved upon. She was truly excellent. Very professional, client focused, empathic and wonderfully knowledgeable. She was very easy to reach and always returned my calls. I felt that I was in very good hands.”

“What I valued most was Katy’s transparent nature – she didn’t just say what I wanted to hear, she told me straight.  At times, it might not have been a message I wanted to hear, but it was right and necessary. The outcome of my case certainly wouldn’t have been possible without her lead and drive.”

Having joined Marsden Rawsthorn in 2011 Julie previously worked in law firms in the East Lancashire area and has over 15 years of experience in resolving disputes.

Julie works as a Senior Paralegal in the Dispute Resolution department and covers a varied workload with her main aim being to build up good relationships with her clients and obtain the best outcome for them.

Julie’s areas of practice are:-

• Small Claims (up to £10,000.00)
• Landlord & Tenant issues
• Debt Collection
• Personal Injury

Outside of work Julie likes to spend time with her family, travelling, reading a good book or watching a good drama.

Having completed her law degree at the University of Manchester, Lauren has worked in law since 2015 and has been practising as a solicitor at Marsden Rawsthorn since February 2019.

Lauren advises on all areas of family law including:

• Divorce
• Financial settlements
• Child arrangements
• Cohabitation Agreements
• Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements
• Injunctions

Understanding that any family dispute is often a distressing and emotional time, Lauren adopts a sympathetic and supportive approach, providing clients with clear, sound advice with a view to resolving matters as swiftly as possible.

If it is necessary to commence Court Proceedings, Lauren does not shy away from litigation and is focused and determined to achieve the best possible outcome. Lauren recognises the importance of a level-headed and cost-effective approach to resolving disputes.

Lauren is a member of Resolution which is a national organisation of family lawyers and other professionals who are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes.

Lyndsey joined the firm in 2007 and is a Chartered Legal Executive in the Family Department. Lyndsey has had varied roles within solicitors’ private practice since 1996 and has been practicing law in an advisory and representative client capacity since 2009.

Lyndsey was promoted to Associate in July 2022.

Lyndsey has knowledge in all aspects of family law work but has a particular interest in obtaining protection for clients’ personal safety and assisting in resolving the future care arrangements for children of the family.

Lyndsey has a warm and sympathetic approach to the work that she undertakes as she understands that addressing family law issues is often a very emotional time for clients. Outside of the office, Lyndsey enjoys spending time with her children, walking, reading and shopping.

Kimberley is a Paralegal within the Family Team based at our Fulwood office. Kimberley began her career in law in June 2007 as a Family Legal Secretary following completion of the ILEX Professional Standards (now known as CILEx Regulation) Legal Secretary Training Course. Kimberley has ‘learnt on the job’ and joined the firm in January 2019 as a Family Paralegal, primarily assisting the Head of Department with her caseload. Kimberley undertakes work in a wide range of family matters including Divorce, Financial Relief, Non-Molestation and Private and Public Law children matters.

Kimberley enjoys undertaking legally aided work and has a broad knowledge of all aspects of legal aid including the criteria and evidence required for legal aid applications.

In her spare time Kimberley enjoys cooking, red wine, country walks, city breaks and spending time with her cat, Tink, and partner, Simon, (in that order!).

Richard joined Marsden Rawsthorn in 2000 and is Head of Residential Conveyancing, dealing in all aspects of domestic property work.

Richard is an avid Preston North End supporter and also enjoys playing golf and fell walking and spending time with his wife and three daughters.

Jenni started working for Rawsthorns in January 2001 before the merger in 2007. Having qualified as a member of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers she assists clients with purchasing, selling and other residential property related matters. The part of her job she really enjoys is helping people move into their dream homes.

Jenni was promoted to Associate in May 2023.

Outside of the office, Jenni spends her time with your young family and taking on charity events for the Alzheimer’s Society and Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

John enjoyed a ten-year career in banking, specialising in lending and mortgages before moving to the legal profession in 2000.  He now has a significant number of years’ conveyancing experience coupled with a client-focused approach and deals with all aspects of residential conveyancing. John was promoted to Associate in July 2022.

John deals with all aspects of residential sales and acquisitions, re-mortgages, transfers of equity and lifetime mortgages.

Outside of work John enjoys running, cycling, playing the piano and spending time with my wife and 2 children.  He also enjoys watching football – particularly the Red Devils.

Paul qualified as a Solicitor in 1990 after graduating from Middlesex Polytechnic. He was a partner with John Hardwick in the firm of Hardwicks prior to their merger with Marsden Rawsthorn in 2008.

He currently specialises in residential conveyancing.

Away from the office, Paul likes reading, listening to music and enjoys watching football.

Victoria Marsh is a Chartered Legal Executive and a team manager of the Wills, Trusts and Probate Department at the Fulwood office.

Victoria has a wealth of experience having worked in private client law for over ten years. Victoria has particular expertise in probate law and estate administration.  Victoria will be commencing the STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualification in 2021.

Victoria is one of the founding members of the CILEX Lancashire Branch and has been one of the Treasurers for the last four years.

In her spare time, she enjoys running, keeping fit and spending time with her family.

Rebecca Harrison is a Chartered Legal Executive based in the Wills, Trusts and Probate department at the Chorley office.

Rebecca graduated from the University of Central Lancashire and after working in defendant personal injury for many years joined Marsden Rawsthorn in February 2016 to re-train into Wills and Probate.

Away from work Rebecca loves to spend her time in her wellington boots pottering in the garden with her two cats and horse riding.

Anna has been working in the area of Wills and Probate for 18 years and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007.

Having graduated from the University of Central Lancashire, Anna has always worked for firms in the North West, having trained and qualified at Inghams Solicitors on the Fylde Coast and then moving on to Napthens Solicitors where she was for almost 10 years.

In January 2021, Anna joined Marsden Rawsthorn Wills, Trusts and Probate team bringing a wealth of knowledge in areas of Wills, Trusts, Probate and Court of Protection work. Anna has a particular interest and specialism in dealing with clients who may have many issues with mental capacity. Anna will assist those clients and their families with solutions regarding the management of their affairs by way of Lasting Powers of Attorney or any deputyship applications to the Court that may be required.

Anna is friendly, patient, and empathetic and enjoys meeting new clients and guiding them through the legal process of putting their affairs in order. Anna also relieves families of the burden and stress surrounding probate and administering a loved one’s estate following bereavement.

Anna has a young daughter, who takes up most, if not all, of her spare time! When she does get a little time, Anna enjoys baking and going to concerts or the theatre. A big passion is travelling and exploring new places whenever she gets the opportunity.