Who we are

We are proud to have a skilled professional team in place at our Wakefield office. 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 Directors and is also Head of Residential Conveyancing, specialising in all types of residential property matters including new build matters and 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.

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 since qualifying has specialised in residential conveyancing dealing with new build plots, builder part exchange properties as well as private client referrals from local mortgage advisers.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her children, cycling and walking.

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 Wakefield 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.

Josephine Cuttill

Senior Private Client Solicitor

Josephine joined GM Wilson in 2025.  Josephine is a senior solicitor of many years standing specialising in all aspects of private client work including Wills, trusts, tax planning, care fee planning, provision for disabled or vulnerable beneficiaries, powers of attorney and estate administration.  Josephine is also able to deal with challenges over the validity of wills, claims in respect of an executor’s actions/inaction, claims and appeals in respect of care funding provision.

She is a fully accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly), an affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a Dementia Friend acting for those who have been diagnosed with dementia.

Ben Richardson

Residential Property Solicitor

Ben joined GM Wilson in June 2021 as a Conveyancing Assistant, having previously worked at a Conveyancing Firm in Sheffield and completing a Law Degree at the University of Huddersfield.

Ben has since completed a training contract with us and qualified to be a solicitor in July 2024. Ben now typically deals with freehold and leasehold sales, purchases, remortgages and transfer of equity.

Outside of work Ben plays football for both a 5-a-side and 11-a-side team and plans on scaling Ben Nevis to complete the national three peaks challenge.

Rachael Hirst

Residential Property Solicitor

Rachael is a Solicitor 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. Rachael completed her training contract with us and qualified as a solicitor in July 2024 .

Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Sarah Binks

Senior Conveyancing Executive

Sarah joined the team in 2019 having spent several years at Emsleys Solicitors and, prior to that, many years at both Blacks Solicitors and Walker Morris Solicitors in Leeds.  Sarah is experienced in dealing with all types of residential property matters and typically deals with freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, transfer of equity, remortgages, shared ownership properties and newbuild plot purchases.

In addition to this, Sarah is studying with CLC and intends to qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer which she hopes will enhance the experience earned in conveyancing over the last 20+ years.

When she is not at work, Sarah enjoys performance cars and attending car meets and loves to spend time by the sea on the East coast with her family and her cocker spaniel puppy, Arthur.

Francesca Bradley

New Build Team Leader and Conveyancing Executive

Francesca joined GM Wilson Solicitors in October 2018 as a Conveyancing Assistant and moved into the New Build Team in February 2020 as a Conveyancing Executive.

Since then, she has established relationships with a number of developers around the country and has been an integral part of the large growth of this team over the years. She has now progressed into becoming the New Build Team Leader and is looking to complete a qualification to become a Licenced Conveyancer.

Outside of work Francesca enjoys socialising with her friends and family along with lots of walks and play time with her dog Gizmo. She also loves her holidays abroad.

Lisa Thompson

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.

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.

Holly Powell

New Build Conveyancing Executive

Holly began working in conveyancing after finishing her law degree in 2021 and joined GM Wilson Solicitors in July 2023 as a Conveyancing Assistant.

She has since progressed to become a Conveyancing Executive as part of the new build team and will be starting her training contract in July 2025 to become a qualified Solicitor.

Outside of work, Holly enjoys reading and going on walks in the countryside.

Carol Muir

New Build Conveyancing Executive

Carol joined GM Wilson Solicitors in June 2021 as a Conveyancing Assistant but has since progressed to become a Conveyancing Executive as part of the Newbuild Team. Carol has worked previously at Emsley’s Solicitors and Walker Morris Solicitors.

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.

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.

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

New Build Conveyancing 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.

Tracy Poole

Conveyancing Assistant

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.

Debbie Mountain

Receptionist

Debbie Joined G M Wilson in December 2024 as Receptionist, previously worked as an administrator for an estate agency.

In my spare time I enjoy going to Concerts, Spending time with my French bulldog Willow, and eating lots of Chocolate.

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.

Dylan Gomersall

New Build Conveyancing Assistant

Dylan joined GM Wilson in 2025 as a New Build Conveyancing Assistant, having spent 3 years working at Enact in Leeds progressing from a Customer Service Representative to a Complex Remortgage Assistant. Dylan now primarily assists with New Build conveyancing and occasionally assists in private client matters.

After work he is also studying for his Bachelors of Law with the Open University.

Outside of work, Dylan enjoys training his dog Betsy and meeting with friends

Emma Pickering

New Build Assistant

Emma joined the team at GM Wilson Solicitors in 2024 after a background in the NHS.

She initially began her career as a Junior and has since progressed into a New Build Assistant for Lisa and Francesca.

In her spare time, Emma enjoys playing tennis and spending time outdoors. She also has a keen interest in music and regularly attends live gigs and concerts.

Edward Kendall

New Build Conveyancing and Administration Assistant

Edward graduated in summer 2025 and has been working with us ever since. Edward has a degree in Law from the University of Huddersfield and has a strong interest in developing his skillset in property law. He continues to gain experience in this area and is a vital part of our new build conveyancing team.

In his spare time, Edward enjoys reading, watching films and spending time with his friends and family.

All our conveyancing staff are closely supervised by our Head of Conveyancing Corrie Holmes and our Managing Partner, James Marris.