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Rosie Nicholson Headshot

Rosie Nicholson


Associate Solicitor
Department: Child Care & Public Law

Rosie obtained a First Class Degree in Law and a Distinction in the Masters of Law and Practice at the University of Huddersfield. Whilst studying for her Law Degree, Rosie achieved the best LLB examination results for the years 2011 and 2012. Rosie also assisted in the creation of the award winning Student Legal Advice Clinic whilst at University. Rosie felt strongly about the significant cuts that were made to the availability of Legal Aid in April 2013. The Legal Advice Clinic was a solution that would give people a voice, in particular, those people that no longer qualified for Legal Aid. Rosie worked there as a student legal advisor for 2 years before joining Ridley and Hall.

She initially joined Ridley & Hall in 2014 as a Legal Assistant within the Child Care and Public Law Team before progressing to a Paralegal and subsequently a Solicitor. She started her Training Contract in January 2019 and qualified as a Solicitor in January 2021. Rosie was promoted to Associate Solicitor in January 2023.

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. Rosie recognises the commitment and dedication of the family members caring for the children that live with them and works with them to ensure that they are supported in their role as carers. Rosie brings with her sensitivity and knowledge of the process. She is known for her ability to help her clients feel at ease and her personability. She also assists clients in respect of Care Proceedings, Child Protection issues and Adoption issues.

Rosie is a valued member of the team and works closely alongside Nigel Priestley. Rosie adopts a sympathetic and friendly approach to all of her clients and has an in-depth understanding of the challenges that her clients’ face.

Rosie is commended by her clients. One of her former clients thanked Rosie for “…going above and beyond what I was expecting. I will be recommending you to anyone who needs legal representation in special guardianship in the future.”  Another former client of Rosie’s stated, “A superb service, efficiently delivered.”

Outside of work, Rosie has a keen interest in music and Irish dancing. She plays guitar and was part of a theatre school whilst at University where she developed her acting and singing skills. She enjoys socialising with family and friends, reading books and countryside walks with her dog, Jarvis!


Child Care & Public Law Team

Naha Ahmed Headshot

Naha  Ahmed

Trainee Solicitor
Naha is currently a trainee solicitor in Care and Public after competing a six month seat in Residential Property....
Tracy Steel

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 headshot

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

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. ...

Deborah Hardy

Partner
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....
Clare Linden Headshot

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 Headshot

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

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....
Kim Noble

Kim Noble

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 Headshot

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 Headshot

Anthony Sykes

Paralegal
Anthony joined Ridley & Hall Solicitors in November 2023 as a Care & Public Law paralegal. He closely collaborates with the department's lawyers, assisting with a broad spectrum of matters at all stages of care proceedings....