Graduating from Durham University in 1981 with a degree in Law & Economics, I subsequently joined law firm Addleshaw Sons & Latham in Manchester as a trainee solicitor, qualifying in 1984. I remained with the firm as a commercial litigation specialist and in 1990 was made a Partner.  Over the years I gained extensive experience in advising and representing a variety of clients across a range of commercial and professional disputes, representing clients in the High Court, Court of Appeal and House of Lords (now Supreme Court), in tribunals and in both domestic and international arbitrations, as well as in numerous mediations. My experience included cases involving breach of contract, shareholder disputes, warranty claims, professional negligence claims, partnership disputes and property claims, for example.   

The firm grew substantially during the 1990s/2000s with two major mergers and became Addleshaw Goddard LLP, one of the UK’s leading law firms, with annual fee income of c.£200 million and offices in the Middle and Far East

I was proud to be rated for many years in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners legal directories as a leading individual in my field, ultimately receiving from Chambers the accolade of “Eminent Practitioner” in the region in commercial dispute resolution.

I retired as a Partner in Addleshaws in 2017. During my career with the firm I held a number of management positions including Head of Department and Board member.