Trudie started out working as a receptionist straight after finishing her A-levels at a legal firm based in Leeds, not really knowing exactly where she’d end up, but keen to get started in Law, having taken an interest in it during an IT course at GCSE. During this time, it sparked an interest, and she gradually worked her way up from being a receptionist to a fully-fledged fee-earner dealing with her own caseload, handling purchases, sales, remortgages, and transfer of equities, picking up experience and learning as much as she could along the way.
In April 2025, she qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive, which was a big achievement for her, particularly as she was studying whilst working full-time. It has been a journey of learning, hard work, and figuring things out along the way — and she is excited to see where it takes her next.
In her spare time, she likes to build Lego, go to the theatre, bake goodies for friends and family, and go on walks with her dog Toby.
Residential Property Team
Ellie Butterfield
Trainee Solicitor
Ellie joined Ridley & Hall as a Trainee Solicitor in April 2025 and is currently completing her Training Contract. She is studying the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and is due to qualify as a Solicitor in 2027....
Joanne Collins
Residential Conveyancer with over 40 years’ experience working in and around the South Yorkshire AreaKnowledge base includes sales, purchases, shared ownership, new build properties, remortgages and transfers of equity...
Marina Cotton
Apprentice Solicitor
Marina joined our residential property team as a Property Paralegal to work alongside Alistair McKinlay at our South Elmsall office, dealing with sales, purchases, transfers of equity and remortgages. ...
Adam Fletcher
Business Development & IT Director
Adam served as Managing Director from 2012-2018, overseeing 25%+ growth. With 20+ years in residential property, he excels in conveyancing. In 2023, he took on the role of Business Development and IT Director, pivotal in the firm's future. He's dedicated to expanding the client base and enhancing technological support. Ridley & Hall is an exciting place for him....
Leah Gore
Partner
Leah graduated from the University of Leeds with her Law degree (LLB) and completed her master’s in Legal Practice at York, qualifying as a solicitor in 2016. Within a year of qualification, she became a Partner at a firm based in Leeds and London – a testament to her dedication and skill in property law....
Havvah Gulzar
Paralegal
Havvah joined Ridley & Hall in 2025 after completing a master’s degree in law alongside the Legal Practice Course. Havvah is part of the Residential Conveyancing team, assisting clients with buying and selling properties, remortgages, and transfers of equity....
Adeel Hussain
Licensed Conveyancer
Adeel started his career with Ridley & Hall in 2016 as a conveyancing assistant and is now a Licensed Conveyancer based at our Huddersfield Office....
Adam Leece
Partner,Team Leader for Property, Barnsley
Adam joined Newman & Bond, currently Ridley & Hall incorporating Newman & Bond, in 2010 as a Trainee Solicitor qualifying in 2012. Since qualifying as a Solicitor Adam has experienced a varied workload but has focused increasingly on both Residential and Commercial Property transactions for the last 8 years. In 2021 Adam was successfully appointed Partner within Ridley & Hall and in 2022 became the Property Team Leader within the Barnsley branch....
Shelly Lynch
Chartered Legal Executive
Shelly joined our Residential Property Team at our South Elmsall office, working alongside Alistair McKinlay and Ashley Sowerby....
Alison Mason
Head of the Residential Property Department,Partner
Alison Mason is Head of the Property Department and is a Licensed Conveyancer with over 30 years of experience in residential Conveyancing. Alison joined Ridley & Hall in 1996 having previously worked for other local firms....
Laura Sheriff
Associate,Licensed Conveyancer
Laura is a fully qualified Licensed Conveyancer with extensive experience across all areas of residential property law. Her career in the property industry began in 2014, and she qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2019....
Ashley Sowerby
Partner
Ashley Sowerby joined Ridley & Hall in autumn 2016 as a Solicitor within the Property Department. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 after completing her Law Degree and Legal Practice Course at Leeds Metropolitan University....
Natalie Stephenson-Quayle
Apprentice Solicitor
Natalie has worked at Ridley & Hall since November 2019. Since then, Natalie started her apprenticeship degree with Ridley & Hall in 2021. Whilst working with Ridley & Hall, Natalie promotes the different routes people can take to obtain a career in the legal profession....
Olivia Thawley
Trainee Licenced Conveyancer
Olivia Thawley is a trainee licensed conveyancer in the Barnsley residential property team, dealing with freehold and leasehold property sales and purchases, remortgages, and transfers of equity.Olivia completed the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice under the Council for Licensed Conveyancers in 2024 and has plans to become a fully qualified Conveyancer in the future....
Laura Walton
Legal Executive,South Elmsall
Laura is a Trainee Legal Executive in the Residential Property Team based at the South Elmsall Branch. Graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 2019, she has gained experience in several different areas of law before settling into residential property in 2023. Laura deals with a range of areas within conveyancing, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity. Alongside her work at Ridley & Hall, she is currently working towards her CILEx qualification with a view to becoming a Chartered Legal Executive....
Kate Ward
Associate Solicitor
Kate Ward is an associate solicitor based in our conveyancing department. Kate qualified as a solicitor in September 2008 and has over 10 years’ experience in all aspects of residential property. She has also dealt with land sales and purchases and adverse possession. ...
