Our Team
James O'Donnell
Director
James studied Law in his home city of Manchester before completing the final stage of his education at the Chester College of Law. James completed his training contract with a well-known regional firm and qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. Upon qualification, he was head hunted by his former firm to join its Commercial and Property team. James was made a Partner within his first year there, making him one of the youngest partners to be appointed, at the age of 26. James remained a Partner of that firm for 10 years before leaving to set up O’Donnell Solicitors in 2015 together with his wife Rebecca O’Donnell, also a Director of the firm.
James practises in Commercial and Corporate Law dealing mainly with transactional work involving Business Asset Sales and Purchases, Merger and Acquisition work and Commercial Property matters. James assists the Dispute Resolution department where a dispute has a business or commercial angle.
James lives locally with his wife and three young children and enjoys a busy social life. In his spare time James enjoys running, skiing, golf, walks and holidays with his family. James is also a self-taught guitar player, being a proud owner of the limited edition Epiphone Supernova as collaborated by Mr Noel Gallagher himself.
James studied Law in his home city of Manchester before completing the final stage of his education at the Chester College of Law. James completed his training contract with a well-known regional firm and qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. Upon qualification, he was head hunted by his former firm to join its Commercial and Property team. James was made a Partner within his first year there, making him one of the youngest partners to be appointed, at the age of 26. James remained a Partner of that firm for 10 years before leaving to set up O’Donnell Solicitors in 2015 together with his wife Rebecca O’Donnell, also a Director of the firm.
James practises in Commercial and Corporate Law dealing mainly with transactional work involving Business Asset Sales and Purchases, Merger and Acquisition work and Commercial Property matters. James assists the Dispute Resolution department where a dispute has a business or commercial angle.
James lives locally with his wife and three young children and enjoys a busy social life. In his spare time James enjoys running, skiing, golf, walks and holidays with his family. James is also a self-taught guitar player, being a proud owner of the limited edition Epiphone Supernova as collaborated by Mr Noel Gallagher himself.
Rebecca O'Donnell
Director
Rebecca studied Law at Leeds University and completed the final stage of her legal education part time at the College of Law Chester, whilst already working for a well-known regional firm whereat she would later qualify. Rebecca carried out her training contract and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. She was soon invited to Partnership at her former firm and then went on to head that firm’s Private Client department before leaving to set up O’Donnell Solicitors in 2015 together with her husband James O’Donnell, also a Director of the firm.
Rebecca is the firm’s Managing Director dealing with management of the firm, risk compliance and growth strategy.
In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys spending quality time with her young family, walking her dog, exercising and visiting new places on holiday.
Rebecca studied Law at Leeds University and completed the final stage of her legal education part time at the College of Law Chester, whilst already working for a well-known regional firm whereat she would later qualify. Rebecca carried out her training contract and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. She was soon invited to Partnership at her former firm and then went on to head that firm’s Private Client department before leaving to set up O’Donnell Solicitors in 2015 together with her husband James O’Donnell, also a Director of the firm.
Rebecca is the firm’s Managing Director dealing with management of the firm, risk compliance and growth strategy.
In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys spending quality time with her young family, walking her dog, exercising and visiting new places on holiday.
Anthony Jones
Director
Anthony is a Director/Solicitor and Head of the Family Department. He has practised in Family Law for over two decades.
Anthony is an Accredited Specialist with Resolution, an organisation with over 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. He is accredited in complex financial provision (on divorce or dissolution of civil partnerships) and cohabitation (the law in relation to unmarried couples). Anthony has handled hundreds of mid to high net worth divorce and matrimonial finance cases which are often complex and involve dealing with share valuations, trusts, pensions, and property abroad. He also has extensive experience in disputes involving unmarried parties. Anthony represents clients (parents and grandparents) in disputes involving children including cases involving international child abduction. He acts for professionals, celebrities and individuals from all backgrounds in the UK and overseas including USA, Hong Kong and Mauritius.
After attending Saddleworth School, Oldham Sixth Form College and the University of Huddersfield he joined a practice in West Yorkshire and then a leading city centre firm where he qualified as a Legal Executive. Anthony then went on to law school at the College of Law, Chester where he studied part-time and continued working full-time. He graduated with a distinction and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. Anthony has worked for high street firms and national leading Family Law and multi-disciplined practices based in West Yorkshire, Cheshire and Manchester city centre. Anthony joined O’Donnell Solicitors in July 2016 to head up the Family Department.
Anthony lives locally with his wife and three children. He enjoys going to the gym, running, and playing golf. Anthony is also a Parent Governor at Micklehurst All Saints Primary School, Mossley.
Anthony is a Director/Solicitor and Head of the Family Department. He has practised in Family Law for over two decades.
Anthony is an Accredited Specialist with Resolution, an organisation with over 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. He is accredited in complex financial provision (on divorce or dissolution of civil partnerships) and cohabitation (the law in relation to unmarried couples). Anthony has handled hundreds of mid to high net worth divorce and matrimonial finance cases which are often complex and involve dealing with share valuations, trusts, pensions, and property abroad. He also has extensive experience in disputes involving unmarried parties. Anthony represents clients (parents and grandparents) in disputes involving children including cases involving international child abduction. He acts for professionals, celebrities and individuals from all backgrounds in the UK and overseas including USA, Hong Kong and Mauritius.
After attending Saddleworth School, Oldham Sixth Form College and the University of Huddersfield he joined a practice in West Yorkshire and then a leading city centre firm where he qualified as a Legal Executive. Anthony then went on to law school at the College of Law, Chester where he studied part-time and continued working full-time. He graduated with a distinction and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. Anthony has worked for high street firms and national leading Family Law and multi-disciplined practices based in West Yorkshire, Cheshire and Manchester city centre. Anthony joined O’Donnell Solicitors in July 2016 to head up the Family Department.
Anthony lives locally with his wife and three children. He enjoys going to the gym, running, and playing golf. Anthony is also a Parent Governor at Micklehurst All Saints Primary School, Mossley.
Claire Egerton
Director
Claire studied Law in her home city of Manchester, also completing the final stage of her education at the College of Law, Manchester. Claire completed her training contract with a large city centre firm and qualified as a solicitor in 2004. She then went on to make Partner within that firm within 3 years of her qualifying. Claire joined O’Donnell Solicitors as a Director in January 2018 as Head of Residential Property.
Claire specialises in all Residential Property and has vast experience in handling volume new build transactional work including initial site acquisition and thereafter handling volume plot sales/purchases, as well as general conveyancing transactional work including handling sales, purchases, transfers of equity, remortgages, staircasing, Deed of Variation and equity release work.
Claire lives locally with her husband and three young children. In her spare time, Claire is the Honorary Secretary for the local Amateur and Dramatic Society partaking both on and off the stage. Claire also took part in Dr Kershaw’s Strictly Dance competition in 2018 and was crowned the winner for her outstanding performance.
Claire studied Law in her home city of Manchester, also completing the final stage of her education at the College of Law, Manchester. Claire completed her training contract with a large city centre firm and qualified as a solicitor in 2004. She then went on to make Partner within that firm within 3 years of her qualifying. Claire joined O’Donnell Solicitors as a Director in January 2018 as Head of Residential Property.
Claire specialises in all Residential Property and has vast experience in handling volume new build transactional work including initial site acquisition and thereafter handling volume plot sales/purchases, as well as general conveyancing transactional work including handling sales, purchases, transfers of equity, remortgages, staircasing, Deed of Variation and equity release work.
Claire lives locally with her husband and three young children. In her spare time, Claire is the Honorary Secretary for the local Amateur and Dramatic Society partaking both on and off the stage. Claire also took part in Dr Kershaw’s Strictly Dance competition in 2018 and was crowned the winner for her outstanding performance.
Gianna Lisiecki-Cunane
Director
Gianna studied Law at Liverpool University and completed her LPC at the College of Law in Chester. She then went on to train at a national law firm in Leeds and qualified as a solicitor in 2008. Gianna decided to specialise in family law and moved to JMW where she worked for the next 11 years, and where she became a partner. Gianna joined O’Donnell Solicitors as a Director in January 2020.
Gianna specialises in divorce, financial matters arising from divorce, cohabitation disputes, child arrangement disputes, financial applications on behalf of children where the parents are not married and wealth protection – which includes pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. She brings with her vast experience in handling complex cases including high net worth clients and cases with an international element. Gianna adopts a pragmatic approach and is not afraid to fight for her clients.
Gianna is a member of Resolution, which is an organisation committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. She has also written various articles for legal publications including Lexis Nexis and Family Law Week and has broadcast on both radio and Sky News.
Gianna lives locally with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, socialising and cooking.
Gianna studied Law at Liverpool University and completed her LPC at the College of Law in Chester. She then went on to train at a national law firm in Leeds and qualified as a solicitor in 2008. Gianna decided to specialise in family law and moved to JMW where she worked for the next 11 years, and where she became a partner. Gianna joined O’Donnell Solicitors as a Director in January 2020.
Gianna specialises in divorce, financial matters arising from divorce, cohabitation disputes, child arrangement disputes, financial applications on behalf of children where the parents are not married and wealth protection – which includes pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. She brings with her vast experience in handling complex cases including high net worth clients and cases with an international element. Gianna adopts a pragmatic approach and is not afraid to fight for her clients.
Gianna is a member of Resolution, which is an organisation committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. She has also written various articles for legal publications including Lexis Nexis and Family Law Week and has broadcast on both radio and Sky News.
Gianna lives locally with her husband and two children. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, socialising and cooking.
Jill Waddington
Director
Jill is Head of the Private Client team and is also a Director at O’Donnell Solicitors. Jill brings a wealth of experience having worked for over 20 years in private client. Jill deals with all aspects of Private Client work; Wills, Estate and Tax Planning, Trusts, Probate and Estate Administration, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work. Jill is a fully qualified member of Solicitors for the Elderly, a full member of the Private Client Section of the Law Society and has been recognised as a leading lawyer in the 2021 Legal 500. She is also a Dementia Friend.
Jill is caring and approachable and offers a bespoke service to all her clients. Jill attended Hulme Grammar School and went on to study History at the University of Leeds after which she then completed the CPE and the LPC at the College of Law in Chester. She then completed her training contract with a Rochdale firm and later moved to a high street firm in Huddersfield where she became a Partner and Head of the Private Client team. Jill lives locally and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family, trying to keep fit and travelling when possible.
Jill is Head of the Private Client team and is also a Director at O’Donnell Solicitors. Jill brings a wealth of experience having worked for over 20 years in private client. Jill deals with all aspects of Private Client work; Wills, Estate and Tax Planning, Trusts, Probate and Estate Administration, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work. Jill is a fully qualified member of Solicitors for the Elderly, a full member of the Private Client Section of the Law Society and has been recognised as a leading lawyer in the 2021 Legal 500. She is also a Dementia Friend.
Jill is caring and approachable and offers a bespoke service to all her clients. Jill attended Hulme Grammar School and went on to study History at the University of Leeds after which she then completed the CPE and the LPC at the College of Law in Chester. She then completed her training contract with a Rochdale firm and later moved to a high street firm in Huddersfield where she became a Partner and Head of the Private Client team. Jill lives locally and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family, trying to keep fit and travelling when possible.
Richard Dobson Mason
Director
Richard is the Director of and Head of the Dispute Resolution and Litigation Department. Richard qualified as a Barrister in 2008, cross-qualified as a Solicitor in 2013, qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2016, and was appointed as a Magistrate in 2018, sitting on Adult Crime and Family Law cases.
Richard attended Oldham Hulme Grammar School before studying Law at Sheffield University and completing the Bar Vocational Course at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Richard has handled a very broad range of cases during his career, including complex and high value disputes, claims against national newspapers, for and against large insurance companies, and on behalf of international clients (including those based in Australia, Japan and Spain). He assists clients with civil and commercial disputes, from pre-action, through to trial, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and appeals processes.
Richard has experience conducting contract disputes, landlord and tenant (residential and commercial) cases including re-possession, disrepair, dilapidations and rent claims, boundary and neighbour disputes, property and trust claims, defamation, injunction and debt matters, insolvency cases, construction cases, and contentious probate, wills and inheritance claims.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys a strong interest in keeping fit and healthy, playing, watching and coaching football, listening to music and singing, enjoying and learning about nature, and spending time with his young family.
Richard is the Director of and Head of the Dispute Resolution and Litigation Department. Richard qualified as a Barrister in 2008, cross-qualified as a Solicitor in 2013, qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2016, and was appointed as a Magistrate in 2018, sitting on Adult Crime and Family Law cases.
Richard attended Oldham Hulme Grammar School before studying Law at Sheffield University and completing the Bar Vocational Course at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Richard has handled a very broad range of cases during his career, including complex and high value disputes, claims against national newspapers, for and against large insurance companies, and on behalf of international clients (including those based in Australia, Japan and Spain). He assists clients with civil and commercial disputes, from pre-action, through to trial, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and appeals processes.
Richard has experience conducting contract disputes, landlord and tenant (residential and commercial) cases including re-possession, disrepair, dilapidations and rent claims, boundary and neighbour disputes, property and trust claims, defamation, injunction and debt matters, insolvency cases, construction cases, and contentious probate, wills and inheritance claims.
In his spare time, Richard enjoys a strong interest in keeping fit and healthy, playing, watching and coaching football, listening to music and singing, enjoying and learning about nature, and spending time with his young family.
Julian West
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Julian specialises in property transactional and conveyancing work, having specialised in property transactional work for over 28 years.
Julian West joined O’Donnell Solicitors in April 2020 as a Chartered Legal Executive in the firm’s Residential Conveyancing Department and has since moved across to the Commercial Property Department to join the expanding team.
Julian continues to represent a wide range of clients on Commercial Property transactional work having established long lasting contacts and client base. Julian has acted for some notable celebrity clients, frequently accepting instructions on high value transactions from existing and former clients. Julian is an out-and-out property expert and renowned for his thorough approach.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Julian specialises in property transactional and conveyancing work, having specialised in property transactional work for over 28 years.
Julian West joined O’Donnell Solicitors in April 2020 as a Chartered Legal Executive in the firm’s Residential Conveyancing Department and has since moved across to the Commercial Property Department to join the expanding team.
Julian continues to represent a wide range of clients on Commercial Property transactional work having established long lasting contacts and client base. Julian has acted for some notable celebrity clients, frequently accepting instructions on high value transactions from existing and former clients. Julian is an out-and-out property expert and renowned for his thorough approach.
Nicola Schofield
Conveyancing Executive
Nicola joined the firms Residential Conveyancing Department in October 2020 having previously worked in a large regional conveyancing firm for several years. Nicola has expert legal and technical knowledge and has the benefit of many years’ experience in handling all aspects of property transactions including; freehold/leasehold sales and purchases, right to buy purchases, shared ownerships, transfer of equity and remortgages.
Nicola ensures the client is at the forefront of every transaction with a friendly and caring approach and is committed to delivering a high level of client service. Recognising that communication is key, coupled with Nicola’s excellent technical knowledge has earnt Nicola an excellent reputation in her field.
Nicola lives locally and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, reading and cooking.
Nicola joined the firms Residential Conveyancing Department in October 2020 having previously worked in a large regional conveyancing firm for several years. Nicola has expert legal and technical knowledge and has the benefit of many years’ experience in handling all aspects of property transactions including; freehold/leasehold sales and purchases, right to buy purchases, shared ownerships, transfer of equity and remortgages.
Nicola ensures the client is at the forefront of every transaction with a friendly and caring approach and is committed to delivering a high level of client service. Recognising that communication is key, coupled with Nicola’s excellent technical knowledge has earnt Nicola an excellent reputation in her field.
Nicola lives locally and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, reading and cooking.
Courtney Shackleton
Trainee Solicitor
Courtney is a first-year trainee currently sat with the Private Client department assisting the team with all areas of private client including Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection.
Courtney joined the firm in September 2022 as a paralegal in Family Law and Private Client, previously working for a well-known regional law firm in West Yorkshire. In 2020, Courtney graduated with a First Class Masters Degree in Law from Northumbria University and is now undertaking her training contract with the firm with a view to qualifying in September 2025.
In her spare time Courtney enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting her local football team Huddersfield Town, reading and is a keen baker.
Courtney is a first-year trainee currently sat with the Private Client department assisting the team with all areas of private client including Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection.
Courtney joined the firm in September 2022 as a paralegal in Family Law and Private Client, previously working for a well-known regional law firm in West Yorkshire. In 2020, Courtney graduated with a First Class Masters Degree in Law from Northumbria University and is now undertaking her training contract with the firm with a view to qualifying in September 2025.
In her spare time Courtney enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting her local football team Huddersfield Town, reading and is a keen baker.
