Partners / Directors

Paul Hughes LLB (Hons)
Head of Company & Commercial
Paul is the legal advisor to a nationwide member organisation representing the interests of small businesses and to a large motor dealer and is proud to have fostered decades-long relationships with many of his clients. He has a wealth of experience over many areas of work and some of his particular speciality areas include the sale and purchase of dental practices, high value commercial leases and advising property developers on the acquisition of sites and sale of development properties.
Paul is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).He is also an accredited member of the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS).
Paul went to school in Stoke-on-Trent before attending Birmingham University to study law. Paul joined Wallace Robinson & Morgan in 1984 and became a partner in 1986, having qualified with another Birmingham firm in 1981.
From 1998 to 2017 Paul was a Governor at a school in Dorridge, where his children attended. He is chairman of the Family Care Trust, a local charity caring for people with mental illness and learning difficulties though the provision of day care, community support and a farm at Catherine-de-Barnes.
Having refereed football for 25 years Paul now concentrates on supporting Stoke City where he is a season ticket holder. He enjoys travelling and has recently visited Australia and New Zealand, but also enjoys time in Devon with his family. Having completed 7 half marathons for charity he has probably hung up his running shoes, but still enjoys going to the gym regularly.

Tim Langford LLB (Hons)
Head of Residential Property Department
Tim also has considerable experience in dealing with lease extensions for both landlords and tenants as well as acting for clients who wish to sell or purchase land for development.
Tim started his training with Wallace Robinson & Morgan in 1990, qualifying as a Solicitor in 1992. He has been a partner since 1996 and is now a director of the firm and head of the Residential Property Department.
When not at work he enjoys watching all sports and spending time with his family.
He plays league tennis at the local gym, reluctantly accepting he’s not going to be turning pro.
He enjoys live comedy by both going to gigs and being a season ticket holder at Birmingham City!

Kathryn Ferris LLB (Hons)
Head of Family Department
Kathryn is a trained Collaborative Lawyer and passionately believes that the use of this process means clients avoid acrimony giving themselves the best chance of achieving an amicable resolution. She is an active member of Resolution and the current chair of the Collaborative Family Law Group West Midlands.
Kathryn is experienced in all aspects of financial disputes but has particular expertise working with mid to high net worth clients who are separating after a long marriage. These cases often involve more complex legal issues such as how pensions can be retained or used flexibly to realise capital, business interests and identification of matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets.
She also advises on matters concerning children including arrangements following separation, applications to relocate and applications by grandparents and step-parents. Should it prove necessary to involve the court then she takes a robust approach to ensure clients achieve the best possible outcome.
Kathryn qualified as a solicitor in 2000 specialising exclusively in Family Law since 2002. She is now Head of the firm’s Family Department. The most rewarding aspect of her role is helping clients move on to the new phase of their life with confidence and security.
As a working mother she has plenty to fill her time away from the office, but particularly enjoys tennis, cycling, travelling and country walks preferably with a nice pub on route.

Daniel Zakis LLB (Hons)
Head of Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Department
Daniel has considerable experience in advising a wide range of clients including, national and small businesses and individuals on all types of dispute resolution including employment law and civil and commercial litigation. Daniel's most notable cases include:
· Advising the successful applicant Mr Coyne in the reported case of Coyne v Morgan `{`2016`}` B.L.R. 491.
· Acting for Hilary Owens, the only successful Claimant in a 3 week employment tribunal which received significant media interest as our client was incorrectly alleged to have been a part of ``Operation Trojan Horse``.
· Advising a national organisation in an emergency injunction to protect their confidential information and intellectual property. Daniel also provided further advice on steps to enforce the terms of the injunction including committal proceedings.
· Advising a national organisation in successfully defending an unfair dismissal claim from a former Chairman
Daniel deals with cases from small claims up to high value claims across a variety of subjects including, unfair dismissal, discrimination, professional negligence, contract disputes, debt recovery, applications for injunctions and contentious probate matters.
Daniel was appointed as a director of the firm in November 2015 and is Head of the firm's Dispute Resolution and Employment department.
Daniel studied for his Law degree at the University of Birmingham and then completed the Legal Practice Course at the Birmingham College of Law in 2005. Daniel first joined the firm as a trainee solicitor and after qualification joined the Commercial Litigation team at a large Birmingham practice. Daniel returned to Wallace Robinson & Morgan in January 2011.
Daniel is a Birmingham City fan and has a season ticket with his son and twin daughters. As well as football Daniel is a fan of almost all sports and will watch any sport on TV. Daniel enjoys playing football and golf with varying degrees of success. He also enjoys listening to music and attending gigs, his favourite artists include Bon Iver, The National and Death Cab for Cutie.
Our Team

Clare Baker
Legal Secretary Commercial Property Department
In herspare time, she loves to garden and read. Her perfect scenario is sitting on a sun lounger in a tidy, neat garden reading a good book with a nice cold glass of wine! Perfection!

Rebecca Baker
Practice Administrator
In Becky’s spare time she enjoys going on cruises travelling the world learning about different cultures and tasting the local food with her husband and son Jack. Becky also enjoys films, reading and socialising with her friends and family.

Mark Baldwin BA (Hons) LLM
Associate Solicitor Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Department
Mark provides pragmatic and commercially driven advice to resolve legal disputes in the most cost effective way. This will usually mean exploring alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options and, where this is not appropriate or possible, using his experience and knowledge to support clients through the court process.
Mark was called to the Bar in 2004 and joined the litigation and employment team in a Warwickshire firm in January 2005. He subsequently qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and obtained Higher Rights of Audience as a solicitor advocate in 2009. He joined the firm in March 2018 as an Associate Solicitor.
Mark has a degree in Law & Business from the University of Warwick and a Masters in Law from the University of Birmingham.
Away from work, Mark plays rugby for Leamington RFC and is a keen photographer. He will also escape to Devon to go surfing whenever time allows.

Parris Ball LLB (Hons)
Paralegal Plot Sales Team
Parris started at Wallace Robinson in September this year as a Paralegal in our busy Plot Sales Team helping a large developer client in the sale of city apartments and houses from reservation through to completion.
Parris graduated from the University of Law with a 1st Class degree in July 2020. Outside of work, Parris enjoys flying around the UK with her boyfriend who holds a private pilot licence. She also enjoys socialising with friends and family as well as getting stuck into a good TV series.

Lisa Beale LLB (Hons)
Assistant Solicitor Wills and Probate Department
Lisa qualified as a Solicitor in 2016 and joined the firm as an Assistant Solicitor in June 2019. Prior to this Lisa worked for a Warwickshire based firm for over 12 years where she undertook all aspects of private client work and where she completed her training and qualified as a Solicitor.
She prides herself on providing a friendly service and helps to guide her clients through what for some can be a very distressing time in their lives. Lisa is an accredited member of the Law Society's Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS)
Outside of work Lisa is kept busy with her young family but when time permits she enjoys taking part in charity walks and going on cycle rides.

Charlotte Nicklin LLB (Hons)
Assistant Solicitor Wills and Probate Department
Charlotte is an associate member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).
Charlotte joined WRM as an Assistant Solicitor in the Wills and Probate Department in October 2020 after qualifying as a solicitor in September 2020. In 2017 she graduated from the University of Liverpool with a 2:1 degree in Law and achieved a Commendation in her Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Masters at Birmingham City University. Prior to joining WRM, Charlotte completed her two year training contract further afield in a Peterborough firm.
In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys looking after her puppy, going to the gym and watching a good series.

Fiona Coulson
Legal Secretary Wills and Probate Department
In her spare time Fiona enjoys reading, cooking, entertaining and as often as she can a visit to Portugal to visit her friends who live there.

Ciara Cunningham LLB (Hons)
Paralegal- Dispute Resolution
Ciara started at the firm in September this year as a Trainee Solicitor and is currently assisting in the Dispute Resolution Department.
Ciara graduated from the University of Birmingham with a 2:1 LLB Law degree in July 2020. Alongside her work in the office, she is currently completing the Legal Practice Course along with a Masters in Law at the University of Law in Birmingham.
Outside of work, Ciara enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Ciara has family in both Italy and Ireland, and she loves to visit them whenever she can. Ciara also enjoys listening to music and watching as many TV series as possible.

Douglas Freston
Senior Cashier
Out of working hours Douglas now has more time to spend on his vast collection of clocks – all of which need repairing.

Kirsten Wagner LLB (Hons)
Trainee Solicitor
Kirsten graduated from De Montfort University with a degree in Law in 2015 and gained experience as a Legal Assistant in Civil Litigation at a firm in Leicester shortly after. She then completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in 2018 alongside working for a national law firm in Birmingham as an Employment Paralegal. Kirsten commenced her training at a niche corporate law firm in Dudley and has undertaken a seat in Corporate Law.
In her spare time, Kirsten enjoys cooking, going to live music events and spending time with friends and family.

Bryony Harrison
Paralegal Plot Sales
Prior to joining the team, Bryony spent three years in Switzerland working for an NGO with whom she was fortunate enough to be able to travel to many places around Europe and the Middle East. In her spare time she enjoys either running or cycling around the local countryside, is a keen reader and an active member of her church.

Anna Hobbs BSc (Hons), MSc (Hons), LLB (Hons)
Associate Solicitor
Anna qualified as a Solicitor in August 2018 after completing her training contract with us. She is now working in our Company and Commercial Team and enjoys the varied nature of the work she undertakes. She acts for both Landlords and Tenants in the granting of commercial leases and lease assignments and can also assist clients with the sale, purchase and re-financing of commercial premises. She also has experience in business sales and acquisitions for small to medium sized companies. Over the last few years Anna has taken a leading role in setting up the busy Plot Sales team who handle the apartment sales of a number of property developments around the country.
After gaining a 1st class degree in Geography, Anna went on to do an MSc in Climatology and worked for a few years in the environmental sector before setting her sights on Law, graduating from the Legal Practice Course (LPC) with a distinction. She has been at WRM full-time since October 2012, first working as Practice Management Assistant, then as a Trainee Solicitor alongside her part-time study at the University of Law and is now an Associate Solicitor.
Anna recently took some time off to have her son, and now savours her spare time at home with family, walking and relaxing on an evening by cooking and baking. She is a keen traveller and loves doing anything creative including sewing and painting

Natalie Hogg BEng (Hons)
Practice Support Manager
Natalie started her career in the steel industry armed with an Engineering degree. She then moved into Secondary Science teaching and then Primary Teaching. Alongside raising two children she was an active member of a village community as Parish Councillor and Village Hall secretary. All these skills and experiences have prepared her for the new job at WRM.
Otherwise, she is enjoying settling in to life in Solihull, supporting her daughter though the minefield of choosing University courses and standing on the touchline of a rugby pitch, trying not to embarrass her son too much.

Aimee Hopkins
Admin Assistant / Receptionist
In her spare time, Aimee enjoys spending time with her friends and family and attending Zumba classes. She also enjoys listening to music and travelling.

Christine Hughes
Assistant Cashier
A little more about Christine…
Christine leads a busy life outside of work, regularly swimming, walking her dog and trying to keep up with the lives of her four children. As a devoted Geordie she is also loathe to admit she is a supporter of Sunderland Football club.

Mike Keane
Senior Cashier
A little more about Mike
He enjoys most sports especially golf and football and has been a supporter of Birmingham City for many years.

Sarah Kelly LLB (Hons) LLM
Assistant Solicitor Commercial Property Department
Sarah is a qualified solicitor working in the Commercial Department. She deals with numerous aspects of commercial property work on a day to day basis, some of which include drafting various documents, undertaking searches, dealing with third parties such as lenders, reviewing various documentation and reporting to clients.
Sarah also deals with all aspects of residential property work including freehold and leasehold sales, purchases and re-mortgages.
Sarah also occasionally drafts Wills and has dealt with the administration of several estates in Probate.
Sarah graduated from Coventry University with a 2:1 Law Degree and joined WRM in June 2017 as a paralegal in the Plot Sales Team. She began her training contract in September 2018 and whilst training gained experience in the Residential Property Department, the Family Department and the Commercial Property Department. Sarah achieved a Distinction in her LPC and Maters at the University of Law in Birmingham and qualified into the Commercial Property Department in September 2020.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys socialising with her family and friends and interacting with different groups of people. She also enjoys travelling and has been fortunate enough to travel to many different countries around the world.

Joanne Kitching
Cashier
Joanne has done lots of charity work for the PTA at her sons’ old primary school. She has taken part in various charity runs over the years, including the muddy obstacle ones! She loves spending quality time with her family and friends and visiting new places.

Michelle Layton LLB (Hons)
Legal Executive Residential Conveyancing
Michelle is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) ss
Michelle qualified as a Licenced Conveyancer in 2008 after many years’ experience in conveyancing with other legal firms in the West Midlands area, she joined Wallace Robinson & Morgan in July 2016
Michelle enjoys sports and in particular running, and has participated in several half marathons and some full marathons. She also enjoys travelling, going to the cinema and socialising with family and friends.

Laura Lucock
Legal Secretary Wills and Probate Department
Laura previously worked within purchase and supply chain management at large national companies before pursuing a career change to law following her maternity leave.
Laura spends the majority of her spare time looking after her three children, travelling, cooking and going to the gym, particularly enjoying pilates. She loves listening to music and has a particular fondness for Northern Soul and Motown.

Liaquat Malik LLB (Hons)
Associate Solicitor Commercial Property
Liaquat Malik, known by everyone as ‘Malik’, joined the firm in April 2015 as a paralegal after spending 3 years with a national law firm in Birmingham. He has now qualified as a solicitor within our firm.
Having worked as a paralegal in the Litigation and Employment team at Wallace Robinson & Morgan, Malik moved to the Plot Sales team, where he helped build the team to its current size, working on a number of large property developments around the country. He started his training contract in September 2016 and qualified into the Commercial/Plot Sales team in March 2018. Since qualifying Malik has developed his role and manages the Plot Sales team on a day to day basis.
He completed his Law degree at Coventry University in 2010 and moved to Birmingham, going straight into his LPC studies at the College of Law.
Malik had already gained two years' paralegal experience working in a busy Commercial Property team in Birmingham before joining our team here in Solihull.
Malik has a small gym obsession, spending the majority of his time eating and training. He also loves football and (for his sins) follows Newcastle United. He even attempts to play every now and then. However, he does admit the running aspect of football puts him off!!

Angela Martin
Legal Secretary Wills and Probate Department
In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, baking and having days out with her children.

Linda McAteer
Legal Secretary Residential Conveyancing Department

Dipika Mistry LLB (Hons)
Associate Solicitor Family Law Department
Dipika provides clear advice from the outset. Her financial cases involve substantial financial assets, property division, investments, protecting pension interests and businesses. She is particularly adept in issues of domestic abuse, complex children cases involving high conflict, disputed allegations, psychological issues and removal from the jurisdiction.
Dipika is a determined advocate for her clients, and sensitive to their particular needs, prioritising their objectives, firmly believing in taking a proactive and robust approach to achieve their desired outcome.
Dipika is a member of Resolution and sits on its Training and Learning Committee. As a trained Collaborative Lawyer, Dipika is able to offer this valuable option to deal with matrimonial disputes in a conciliatory and constructive manner to minimise her clients’ emotional anxieties in this challenging area of law.
Dipika has practised family law exclusively for over 20 years, including running her own practice, and has a wealth of experience in relationship breakdown and divorce.
Dipika thrives on leading a busy life, balancing her career with devoting her leisure time to her family, her love of good fiction and creativity.

Ruth Nolan LLB (Hons) TEP
Associate Solicitor Wills and Probate Department
Ruth is an associate solicitor in the Wills, Probate & Trusts team. She is based at the Dorridge office but is able to see clients at the Solihull office if this is more convenient for them.
Ruth is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). Ruth is the treasurer for the Birmingham branch of the Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). As well as being a fully accredited member of SFE. Ruth is a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP).
Ruth Nolan qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and first joined Wallace Robinson & Morgan in 2005. She took a career break while her children were very young and re-joined the firm in January 2013.
In her free time Ruth enjoys playing singles and doubles tennis, walking her dog, spending time with the family and going on holiday.

Linda O’Connor
Legal Secretary Wills and Probate and Commercial Property Departments
In her spare time Linda enjoys spending time with her family and slowly decorating her new house purchase. She also enjoys reading, eating out (as much as possible!), and going to the cinema/theatre.

Laura Owen
Paralegal Plot Sales
Outside work Laura enjoys socialising with friends and spending as much time possible with her family. Laura loves to spend her days off shopping and eating out.

Shola Parry
Paralegal Wills and Probate Department

Jean Pigott
Legal Secretary Residential Conveyancing Department

Sharon Purser
Legal Secretary Family Law Department
Sharon’s hobbies include cycling and walking on the towpaths of the Grand Union Canal where her narrowboat is moored.

Karen Ramsey
Legal Secretary Dispute Resolution and Employment Law Department

Kirsty Roberts LLB (Hons)
Assistant Solicitor Family Law Department
Kirsty qualified in April 2020 and joined the Family department as an Assistant Solicitor in July. She is a member of Resolution and her recent work has included preparing a contentious child arrangements matter for a fact finding hearing, dealing with a non-molestation order application resolved by way of cross-undertakings, and reviewing financial disclosure as part of financial remedy proceedings.
Kirsty graduated with a 2:1 in Law from the University of Manchester and obtained a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course from BPP University in Birmingham. She then gained experience as a Litigation Paralegal at a Manchester firm and as a Legal Assistant in the Regulatory department of a London firm, before undertaking her training at a local high street firm.
Kirsty enjoys reading, doing yoga every day and volunteering at her local nature reserve.

Heidi Ryder
Paralegal Residential Conveyancing Department
She gained considerable experience and knowledge in supporting the Residential Property team as a Legal Secretary. As she was keen to develop her career in conveyancing, Heidi started her training to become a Legal Executive in 2015. She is currently working towards the Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), and will then complete her studies with the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law & Practice.
She provides assistance to the Conveyancing department and manages a freehold portfolio of sales.
Heidi enjoys keeping fit and goes to the gym. She enjoys socialising and taking part in various activities.

Gary Sawyer BEng(Hons) MBA MBE
Trainee Solicitor
Gary’s route into the legal profession has been more protracted than most. After graduating with a mechanical engineering degree, he joined the Royal Air Force as a pilot. After 16 years as a front-line pilot flying the Tornado ground attack aircraft, he completed an MBA and moved into management consultancy, programme management and process improvement. He then decided to pursue an aspiration he had held for a while and completed a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Birmingham.
Away from work he is an enthusiastic, if somewhat unskilled hockey player, is a keen road cyclist and tries to ski at least once a year. Legal studies have taken up much of his time over the last 2 1/2 years but he also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Katherine Stratton LLB (Hons) LLM
Assistant Solicitor Commercial Property Department
Katherine has experience in a broad array of property disciplines and spends her working day dealing with all aspects of commercial property work including acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant and secured lending. Alongside this she deals with all things relating to residential property including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-mortgages and lease extensions.
Katherine undertook her training contract at a Bournemouth firm having graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 Law degree and achieved a Distinction in her LPC and Masters at the University of Law in Birmingham. She then qualified into commercial property in August 2019 having had over 4 years property experience.
Away from work she is a keen albeit slow runner and enjoys being outdoors as much as possible to appreciate the hidden Birmingham beauty spots.

Lisa Ward
Front of House Receptionist
Outside work Lisa enjoys gardening & DIY but most of all spending time with her family and friends.

Liam Wdowiak LLB (Hons)
Associate Solicitor Wills and Probate Department
Liam’s - areas of expertise include dealing with the administration of estates, the preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Deputyship Applications.
He prides himself upon providing a friendly and professional service to his clients and is an accredited member of the Law Society's Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). .Liam joined the firm’s Private Client team as an Associate Solicitor in January 2017. Prior to this, Liam trained and qualified as a solicitor with a long established Midlands practice, where he worked for almost 10 years.
In his spare time, Liam enjoys walking his Whippet and getting on with various DIY projects around the home. He also enjoys visiting new places and is a keen fan of both football and cricket.

Charlotte Woodward LLB (Hons)
Assistant Solicitor Wills and Probate Department
Charlotte joined the firm in February 2016 and specialises in all aspects of Private Client law including Probate and the administration of contentious and non-contentious Estates, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection matters and Wills. Charlotte prides herself in dealing with all clients empathetically and sensitively and strives to ensure that her advice is provided in a manner that is understood by all.
Charlotte is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS). Charlotte has previously worked with the Huntington’s Disease Association, Barnardo’s and Age UK to assist in providing specialist advice to vulnerable and elderly people.
Charlotte achieved her LLB (Hons) degree from the University of Lancaster, before studying her Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Birmingham. Charlotte has been working in a Private Client department since October 2010 and qualified into this area in July 2013.
In her spare time Charlotte enjoys going to the gym, travelling and spending time with her young family.
Solihull: 0121 705 7571
Dorridge: 01564 779393