Jill Waddington has been appointed as a Director and Head of the Private Client department at Saddleworth based O’Donnell Solicitors.
Jill, who joined O’Donnell Solicitors in 2021, has over 20 years of experience in handling private client work and has previously been named in the Legal 500 as a specialist in this area of law. Her expertise includes will writing, estate planning and administration, lasting powers of attorney, deputyships, Court of Protection work and trust administration. A particular specialism is estate administration and contentious matters involving missing people and elder financial abuse.
Jill’s appointment marks the next stage in the firm’s ambitious growth plans, taking the number of Directors to six. With Jill in place as Head of Private Client, Co-founding Director Rebecca O’Donnell, who established and headed the firm’s Private Client team, will continue to assist the department alongside a practice management role, where she will work on the firm’s further expansion plans as well as assisting.
Jill commented:
“I am thrilled to be joining the board of Directors at O’Donnell. The firm has a fantastic ethos and exciting growth plans going forward, which I look forward to being part of.
“As Head of Private client, the next stage will be to look to grow the department. Thanks to Rebecca, we already have an excellent name in the local area for private client work, and we will be looking to expand this further.”
Rebecca commented:
“I am delighted to announce this promotion to the Board here at the firm. Jill is so well regarded in her field of expertise and her contacts and reputation are the envy of her peers. She is a fantastic appointment to our already strong team. I am looking forward to seeing Jill take the department forward with my assistance. The firm has grown so rapidly that my time needs to be spent in management of the firm, including future growth strategy in addition to case work and Jill’s appointment will enable this. The Directors are delighted that Jill has accepted the appointment which takes our Board of Directors to six Lawyers, all highly revered in their respective fields. One important characteristic of the Solicitors, fee earners and staff is that we all genuinely care about the work we undertake for clients. We pride ourselves on our approachable, collaborative and holistic approach to the work we undertake as well as in our surroundings. We continue on our journey with excitement for the future’.
Jill and her team will be based at the firm’s new office space in the heart of Uppermill, which opened to clients in March. The building is located in a prominent position on the High Street and has seen a complete redesign and refurbishment programme. The new office space houses the firm’s Private Client, Conveyancing and part of the firm’s Family team and has been received very well by existing and new clients.
The firm is expanding its conveyancing and commercial property law teams due to increasing demands, with a number of vacancies available and appointments to the teams.
O’Donnell Solicitors now has three offices and a team of over thirty staff. Formed in 2016 by James and Rebecca O’Donnell, the firm has already established a highly reputable name for providing straight-talking legal advice across several areas of law for private individuals and businesses.
For more information, visit www.odonnellsolicitors.co.uk