A skilled team safeguarding your rights

FAMILY DEPARTMENT

John Nimmo - Solicitor Director

John Nimmo - Solicitor Partner

After Blackpool Grammar School and university in London I studied at the College of Law in Chester. I was admitted as a solicitor in 1985 and have practised on the Fylde Coast ever since.  

I set up my own practice in 1990 and in 2007 was joined by Deborah Wylie.

In 2000 I was one of only three solicitors in the area to qualify as a member of the Law Society's Advanced Family Panel.  I am also a member of the Law Society's children Panel, accredited to represent both parents and children.

I practice exclusively in the field of family law and have extensive specialist experience in all aspects of child law in relation to the financial consequences of marital and cohabitation breakdown.

I represent both parents and children who are the subject of local authority child protection measures including very serious cases where, for example, intergenerational child sex abuse and murder are alleged. I also represent children and parents where there are disagreements in respect of child arrangements in cases ranging from the simple to those involving, for example, serious allegations of abuse and implacable hostility.

I have been instructed by the Official Solicitor in cases where the client has lacked mental capacity.  

I have represented separating spouses in finance cases ranging from complex multi-million pound disputes to those where the issues and assets are more routine. I have a particular interest in identifying likely outcomes at an early stage and then working towards that goal.

I am an accredited mediator.

Contact John: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 2 Family Department

 

Helen Akeroyd - Solicitor

Helen is a newly qualified solicitor within the family department. She assists with clients in relation to domestic violence issues, private law children matters, divorce and finances matter.  She works closely with John Nimmo. She also assists with case managing and attends hearings and conferences with counsel. She completed her law degree at The University of York Law School and graduated in 2014.  Helen commenced her LPC in September 2016.

Contact Helen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 2 Family Department.

 

Lauren Cowman - Legal Assistant

Lauren is a legal assistant within the family department assisting both John Nimmo. Lauren provides important support to the department, assisting with clients and providing administration support. Lauren helps to put clients at ease and will do everything she can to assist in what is often difficult circumstances.

Contact Lauren: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 2 Family Department.

 

CONVEYANCING DEPARTMENT

 

Joanne Strickland – Solicitor Director

Joanne Flynn  - FILEX Legal Executive

Joanne is a Solicitor / Director and Head of the Property Department.  Joanne has been a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives since 2005 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2018 – always striving to develop herself professionally and within the organisation.  You will find that Joanne has a positive attitude and is dedicated and committed to her work which is reflected with a high degree of customer satisfaction. Providing a bespoke relationship based service that concentrates on understanding clients needs and requirements.

Joanne has an extensive knowledge of conveyancing, both residential and commercial dealing with a wide variety of residential and commercial transactions which include:-

Sale and purchase of freehold / leasehold properties.

Remortgages

Equity Release

Right to Buy – council or social housing

Transfer of Property

Co-ownership Agreements

New Build Purchases

Buy to Let

Joanne works closely with estate agents, mortgage brokers and other solicitors having created positive working relationships to ensure property transactions proceed as swiftly and smoothly as possible.

Joanne is also Head of our Wills and Probate Department, dealing with Will drafting, Lasting Power of Attorney applications and all matters relating to probate / administration of estates.  Joanne takes a particular interest in elderly client assistance offering advice and guidance with a calm and understanding nature.

Contact Joanne:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 1 Conveyancing Department.

 

Philip Baker - Licenced Conveyancer & Probate Practitioner

Philip has worked in the legal profession since 1988. He qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 1999 and as a Licensed Probate Practitioner in 2010.

He joined us at Cooper Nimmo in February 2023, bringing with him many years of experience and a history of five-star reviews from many satisfied clients.

He has many hobbies and interests including reading, music, collecting vinyl records, playing guitar, ballroom dancing, visiting galleries and museums, and enjoying the outdoors, walking his Springer Spaniel, Alfie.

Contact Phil: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 1 Conveyancing Department.

 

Andrea Simpson - Assistant - Conveyancing Department 

Andrea is an assistant within the Conveyancing Department. Andrea has 18 years of property experience working as an estate agent. Andrea joined the firm in 2018 and wanted to use her years of experience to assist clients from the legal perspective. 

Contact Andrea: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 1 Conveyancing Department.

 

Jenny Pook - Personal Assistant -  Conveyancing Department

Jenny has over ten years' experience of working in solicitor's offices.  She personally assists Joanne Flynn in the Conveyancing Department dealing with the administration.  Jenny ensures that all clients have regular progress reports to ensure that the moving process runs as smoothly and as stress-free as possible.

Contact Jenny: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 1 Conveyancing Department.

 

Alix Wright - Legal Assistant - Conveyancing Department

Alix joined our Conveyancing department in January 2023. Alix ventured into estate agecy in 2017 and after having spent 2 years climbing the ladder from apprentice to sales manager, she decided she wanted to pursue her career within Conveyancing. Having spent just under 4 years with another local firm, during which time she received over one hundred 5-star reviews, Alix has joined Cooper Nimmo providing support to Philip Baker and the team generally. Alix is thriving in her career and is currently training with Cilex (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) to eventually become a Cilex Lawyer and in time, transfer over to Solicitor. Alix enjoys building trusted relationships with clients and the reward of assisting them through their transactions.

Outside of work, Alix enjoys spending time with her family, walking, reading and playing chess.

Contact Alix: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 1 Conveyancing Department.

 

ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT

 

Mel Heap - Accounts Department

Mel is our legal cashier and is responsible for the day to day running of our accounts department.  Mel also attends to the processing of legal aid bills within the office.

Contact Mel:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel: 01253 626793 Option 3 Accounts.