Who we are
We are proud to have a skilled professional team in place across both our Barnsley and Wakefield offices. Client care is highly important and the team work together at GM Wilson Solicitors Ltd to deliver the highest standard of legal services for all our clients.
James Marris
Managing Partner
James qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and deals with a broad spectrum of commercial and residential property matters including acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant work (including drafting and negotiating complex agreements and leases together with various ancillary lease transaction documents), portfolio management and property finance. James provides advice for a diverse portfolio of clients, including individuals, companies, partnerships, pension funds and charities.
When not at work James enjoys keeping fit and watching and playing all manner of sports regularly mountain biking, surfing and fishing. James’ love for travel means that whenever possible he is exploring this country and abroad.
Favourite quote: “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? He’s a mile away and you’ve got his shoes!” ― Billy Connolly
Corrie Holmes
Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing
Corrie joined the team here at GM Wilson Solicitors in December 2009 having spent many years working at both Blacks Solicitors and Walker Morris Solicitors in Leeds. Corrie is one of our Director and Head of Residential Conveyancing and specialises in all types of residential property matters and particularly, new build matters, acting for both developers and plot buyers.
Outside of work Corrie enjoys socialising with her friends and family as well as walking in the Yorkshire countryside. Corrie is a keen equestrian enthusiast, having had horses most of her life and her favourite hobby is watching her son riding his lovely pony, Ben.
Rachel Kirkham
Partner and Legal Executive
Rachel joined GM Wilson in 2013 and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2017. Rachel has many years of experience in the legal field and now specialises in residential conveyancing dealing with new build plots, builder part exchange properties as well as private client referrals from local mortgage advisers.
When Rachel is not working, she enjoys spending time with her children, cycling and walking or stood on the football side line!
Steven McMaster
Partner and Senior Residential Property Solicitor
Prior to joining GM Wilson Solicitors, Steven studied Law at Queen’s University, Belfast before completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Chester and qualifying as a Solicitor in 2010. Steven is one of the Partners in the firm and specialises in all aspects of Residential Conveyancing.
In his spare time, Steven enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as being a member of a local running club.
Nicola Washington
Partner and Senior Residential Property Solicitor
Nicola is a Partner at our Barnsley office and joined the firm in May 2014, having qualified as a Solicitor with a Sheffield Law firm in 2013.
Nicola has considerable experience in all aspects of Conveyancing work including new build developments, freehold and leasehold transactions, transfers of equity, re-mortgages.
In her spare time Nicola enjoys going to the gym, socialising with friends and family and shopping.
Phillipa Hulse
Private Client Solicitor
Philippa qualified as a Solicitor with First Class Honours in 1995 and joined GM Wilson in 2008. She is based in our Wakefield office, specialising in Wills and Probate matters alongside Powers of Attorney and brings a wealth of experience with over 20 years practising in this field.
Philippa has many longstanding clients who value her friendly, understanding approach and for explaining even the complicated issues in plain English.
Away from the office, she enjoys travelling, cooking, gardening, and walking/exploring our fabulous countryside with family, friends and a very energetic big dog who never tires!
Sarah Binks
Senior Conveyancing Executive
Sarah joined the team in 2019 having spent several years at Emsleys Solicitors and, prior to that, at both Blacks Solicitors and Walker Morris Solicitors in Leeds. Sarah is experienced in dealing with all types of residential property matters including newbuild plots and leasehold properties.
When she is not at work, Sarah enjoys learning to play golf and loves to take day trips to the east coast to spend time by the sea with her family.
Francesca Bradley
Conveyancing Executive
Francesca began working in conveyancing after leaving university in 2016 and joined the team at GM Wilson Solicitors in October 2018 as a Conveyancing Assistant.
She has since progressed to become a Conveyancing Executive as part of the new build team here, working with different builders. Francesca has recently began to broaden her client base taking on private matters from estate agents and other referrers. She is also currently completing a qualification to become a Licenced Conveyancer.
Outside of work Francesca enjoys socialising with her friends and family along with going on walks with her boyfriend and lhasa apso puppy Gizmo. She also loves her holidays abroad.
Rachael Hirst
Conveyancing Executive
Rachael is a Conveyancing Executive dealing with all types of residential conveyancing matters. Rachael joined GM Wilson in August 2017 after completing her LPC and Masters degree at the University of Huddersfield and is hoping to qualify as a solicitor in the not too distant future.
Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Becki Reynolds
Conveyancing Executive
Becki began working in conveyancing in 2013 and joined the team at GM Wilson Solicitors in October 2018 as a Conveyancing Assistant.
She has since progressed to become a Conveyancing Executive working alongside the Residential and Commercial Property department. Outside of work Becki enjoys socialising with her friends and family along with spending time with her loyal King Charles Spaniel, Tucker. She also enjoys skiing and holidays abroad.
Lisa Skelding
Conveyancing Executive
Lisa is a conveyancing executive based at our Wakefield office and joined GM Wilson Solicitors in February 2016.
Lisa has worked in conveyancing since 2008. She began her conveyancing career as a junior and has grown well within our firm and trained to become a conveyancing executive. Lisa has been dedicated to our newbuild team but does provide services in other conveyancing needs.
In her spare time Lisa enjoys socialising with her friends and family, going to the gym and attending regular Thai Boxing classes.
Nicola Ward
New Build Conveyancing Executive
Having originally joined GM Wilson as a Legal Assistant in 2007, Nicola has now progressed to a Conveyancer Executive on the Barnsley Office New Build Team. She has worked in Conveyancing for 27 years and mainly been involved in New Build property transaction for the past for 14 years. Nicola is currently working towards her CLC qualification.
In her spare time, she enjoys long walks in the Barnsley Countrywide with her black Labrador, Obie and socialising with family and friends.
Carol Muir
Conveyancing Assistant
Carol joined GM Wilson Solicitors in June 2021 as a Conveyancing Assistant. Carol has previously worked at Emsley’s Solicitors and Walker Morris Solicitors in a similar role.
In her spare time, Carol enjoys various activities like walking in the countryside and days out with her son, family and friends. She also enjoys weekends away, especially to the big cities with Liverpool, London and Edinburgh being her favourites.
Ben Richardson
Conveyancing Assistant
Ben joined GM WIlson in June 2021 as a Conveyancing Assistant, having previously worked at a Conveyancing Firm in Sheffield and studying a Law Degree at the University of Huddersfield.
Outside of work Ben plays football for both a 5-a-side and 11-a-side team and plans on scaling Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis to complete the three peaks challenge.
Alison Ternent
Conveyancing Assistant
Alison has worked in Conveyancing since leaving school.
Out of work she loves walking her dog, reading, spinning and music.
Lorna Rushton
Conveyancing Assistant
Lorna joined GM Wilson in 2021 and has over fifteen year’s experience in various conveyancing roles within firms in the Leeds and Wakefield areas.
Outside of work, Lorna enjoys travelling to new cities, completing walks and visiting the local art galleries and sculpture park.
Laura Shillito
Conveyancing Assistant
Laura joined the team here at GM Wilson Solicitors in November 2020 having spent many years working in the retail sector. Laura has progressed by working in numerous departments within our conveyancing team and is currently dealing with commercial matters on James Marris team.
Outside of work Laura enjoys going to watch rugby league, holidaying abroad and socialising with friends and family.
Michelle Barker
Conveyancing Assistant
Michelle joined GM Wilson almost 10 years ago having worked in a legal environment since leaving school. She assists Nicola Washington in dealing with residential conveyancing matters.
Outside of work Michelle enjoys running and swimming and is a supporter of Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey Team and enjoys attending ice hockey games with family and friends.
Leanne Barnes
Conveyancing Assistant
Leanne joined the team in May 2021 after a carer change from retail. Leanne started in our new Post Completions Department as a Post Completion Assistant. Leanne has now progressed to New Build Assistant for Lisa and Francesca.
Outside of work Leanne enjoys socialising with her family and friends as well as watching Cricket. Leanne is the Vice Chairperson & Social Coordinator for Denby Grange Cricket Club. Leanne is also involved on the committee for the Middlestown & Overton Gala.
Claire Burnell
Conveyancing Assistant
Claire started with the team at G M Wilson in 2018. Claire assists Rachel Kirkham in all administration duties in Conveyancing.
Outside of the office, Claire enjoys socialising with friends and family and is a Huddersfield Town A.F.C season ticket holder and horse racing enthusiast.
Sarah Burnell
Conveyancing Assistant
Sarah joined GM Wilson Solicitors in March 2005 and is an assistant to the Head of Residential Conveyancing, Corrie Holmes.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and friends and following Moto GP and World Superbikes.
Marie Deveaux
Post Completion and Administration Assistant
Marie joined GM Wilson Solicitors in March 2022 after working in hotels for over 25 years. She joined the team as a Post Completion Administrator and is currently training.
In her spare time, Marie enjoys walking and spending time with her friends and family.
Claire Reynolds
Conveyancing Assistant
Claire joined GM Wilson in November 2018 as front of house receptionist, and has recently progressed to a conveyancing assistant role.
In her spare time she enjoys socialising with her family and friends and going for nice long walks with her Cavalier King Charles, George.
Karen Robinson
Archiving and Deeds Assistant
Karen started working for GM Wilson Solicitors in April 2013 as the Main Receptionist, and has now moved into a new role as the Archiving Assistant.
Karen enjoys reading and socialising with her family and friends in her spare time.
Julie Shillito
Post Completion Manager
Julie joined the team here at GM Wilson Solicitors in June 2016 having spent many years working in a contact centre for a mail order catalogues based in Wakefield. Julie started her career here as a receptionist and progressed to become the post completion manager.
Outside of work Julie enjoys socialising with her friends and family as well as watching super league.
Emma Turner
Conveyancing Assistant
Emma started at the firm in 2020 and has over 20 years experience of the conveyancing process.
Out of the office Emma enjoys visiting art galleries, collecting art, country walking with her dog and socialising with friends and family.
Tracy Poole
Receptionist
Tracy has recently joined the team at GM Wilson Solicitors having spent the last 4 years working for a local Estate Agent in Wakefield. Tracy is one of our receptionists and is the first point of contact for all clients.
Outside of work Tracy enjoys socialising with her family and friends and spending time with her new granddaughter. Tracy also enjoys going for long walks with her fur baby Winnie.
Emma Mason
Receptionist
Emma joined the team in November 2021 as Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. She previously worked as a Medical Receptionist in the NHS for 15 years, before that as a Relief Library Assistant and as a Legal Secretary at Raleys Solicitors.
Outside work she enjoys spending time with her son, swimming, socialising with friends and spending time with her family in Whitby.
Lucy Swinburn
Legal Assistant to Nicola Washington
Lucy joined GM Wilson in 2022 as a Conveyancing Assistant, having previously worked at Conveyancing Firms in Sheffield and Barnsley and studying a Law Degree at the University of Leeds. Outside of work Lucy enjoys reading, horse riding and spending time with her friends and family.
Gracjan Panchanathan-Dejneka
Post Completion Assistant
Gracjan graduated with first-class honours in law from Sheffield Hallam University. Currently serving as a post-completion legal assistant, he is committed to expanding his legal expertise through the SQE with an LLM. Beyond his professional pursuits, Gracjan finds solace and joy in nature, often enjoying leisurely walks with his family
Joshua Senior
Post Completion Assistant
Outside of work, Joshua enjoys playing golf on his weekends and spending time with his family and friends, he is also an avid skiier and loves his holidays abroad.