Deborah has over 25 years’ experience in family law and has particular expertise in representing children, court appointed guardians, parents and extended family members in care proceedings in Leeds and surrounding areas. She joined Ridley & Hall as a Partner in 2018.
Deborah is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and is recognised as a prominent and leading care solicitor in the region. She is known by clients to go the extra mile in the fight for fairness and justice and her professionalism is acknowledged by all who work with her. Her client focused approach is sympathetic and understanding and her advice is clear and proactive. She is a much sought after advocate and is greatly respected by her peers.
Deborah enjoys cycling and regularly braves the traffic cycling to work as well as undertaking charity cycling challenges. She is a keen gardener and enjoys spending time with her family in the great outdoors.
Deborah’s assistant is Natasha Smith who will always be glad to help in her absence.
Child Care & Public Law Team
Naha Ahmed
Trainee Solicitor Naha is currently a trainee solicitor in Care and Public after competing a six month seat in Residential Property....
Sophie Aldridge
Trainee Solicitor Sophie joined Ridley & Hall in 2022 as a Paralegal in the Private Client Team before obtaining her Training Contract for which she has assisted as a Trainee in the Private Client Team, the Child Care & Public Law Team and the Family Law Team....
Tracy Beaumont
Solicitor Tracy joined Ridley & Hall as a trainee solicitor in June 2022 and is due to qualify as a solicitor in September 2022....
Sarah Brown
Partner,Solicitor
Sarah joined Ridley & Hall in 2010 following the completion of her Law Degree. Whilst working at Ridley & Hall she studied the Legal Practice Course part time over two years, completing it in 2012....
Zoe Butt
Partner,Solicitor,
Team Leader of the Care Team
Zoe Butt joined the firm in March 2023 as a Partner. Zoe has a wealth of experience in children matters and works in our Care and Public Law teams. Zoe’s particular expertise is in complex care proceedings involving Child Sexual and Criminal Exploitation, and cases involving alleged Non-Accidental Injury. She also has a wealth of experience in dealing with cases involving Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and Honour Based Violence....
Nicki Butterworth
Associate Personal Assistant Nicki is an experienced Personal Assistant who works within the Care & Public Law Team (for Child Care Director, James Cook). Nicki’s career began in the retail sector, and it was there where she began to hone her renowned communication and customer service skills....
James Cook
Director,Head of Child Care & Public Law Team
James Cook trained and qualified at a South Yorkshire firm where he specialised in family and immigration law. ...
Clare Linden
Partner Clare joined Ridley & Hall Solicitors as a Partner in 2018. Clare graduated from Durham University and completed her legal training at the College of Law in York in 2006. Clare qualified as a solicitor in 2008 when she re-located to Leeds to join the niche family law firm McAras and was made a partner in 2013 following the firm’s merger with Simpson Millar solicitors in Leeds....
Alisha Mazher
Solicitor Alisha is a qualified family law solicitor with ample experience and knowledge in domestic abuse cases, private child arrangements and kinship....
Laura Milburn
Partner Laura has many years of legal experience and was called to the Bar in 2010. After qualifying as a Barrister, Laura cross-qualified to become a Solicitor in 2012. Laura is a passionate advocate and has used her advocacy and negotiation skills on behalf of many clients over the years. ...
Helen Moody
Partner,Solicitor
Helen joined Ridley & Hall in 2012 after completion of the Legal Practice Course, initially as a Legal Assistant working alongside Nigel Priestley to build up experience in the Public Law department. Helen completed her training contract at Ridley & Hall and qualified as a solicitor in 2016. Helen has had major successes in claiming allowances and back dated payments for kinship carers from Local Authorities across the country. Helen was made an Associate Solicitor in January 2023....
Rosie Nicholson
Associate Solicitor Rosie primarily assists clients on a variety of issues in relation to kinship care, particularly claiming allowances and back dated payments for kinship carers from Local Authority’s. Rosie also assists clients with Special Guardianship Order applications and advice in relation to the support that is available under Special Guardianship Orders....
Kim Noble
Associate,Solicitor-Advocate
Kim qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate in 2019 after obtaining her Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) as a Trainee Solicitor based in the Care Department at a Local Authority. Kim has obtained a Law Degree, Legal Practice Course and a Master of Laws prior to qualifying as a Solicitor-Advocate....
Nigel Priestley
Senior Partner, MBE Nigel Priestley is a Senior Partner of Ridley & Hall Solicitors and a community care and adoption specialist solicitor. He is a member of the Children’s Panel and regularly represents children and parents in care proceedings. ...
Marie Stanley
Legal Secretary Marie joined Ridley & Hall to work in our Wills & Probate team. After securing a Cilex qualification opportunity offered by Ridley & Hall in 2023, she now works in the Care Team....
Anthony Sykes
Trainee Solicitor Anthony joined Ridley & Hall Solicitors in November 2023 as a Care & Public Law paralegal. He has since started a training contact which commenced in January 2025. ...
