Naila trained as a solicitor at Platt Halpern. She qualified in 2003 and became a partner in 2008. She is a solicitor advocate who regularly appears in both the magistrates’ and crown court, as well as a duty solicitor who often assists clients at police stations. Naila has defended in numerous serious and high profile cases including firearms conspiracies, multiple murders, rapes, drugs offences and offences of violence. She is a highly motivated and tenacious defence lawyer. Naila also specialises in prison law and is able to advise clients on a full range of prison law issues.

Paul is a partner in the firm based at our Oldham office. He was a social worker for many years before becoming a solicitor in 1991. Paul initially worked for Linder Myers in Salford before joining Platt Halpern in 1996. He practices family law and criminal law. He is a member of the Law Society Children Panel and acts in the full range of legal proceedings concerning children, specialising in care proceedings. He also deals with divorce and separation cases. He is a duty solicitor and appears in all the magistrates’ courts in Greater Manchester.

Tom obtained a degree in English Literature at Leeds University in 2003. He completed his post graduate studies in Law at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2008. Tom previously worked for 3 years at Manchester Magistrates Court. Tom joined Platt Halpern in June 2008 and works in the housing and criminal departments.

Gemma graduated with a degree in law from Sheffield Hallam University in 2004. Gemma has worked at Platt Halpern since October 2005 and qualified as a solicitor in January 2009. Gemma specialises in all areas of family and children law including care proceedings, residence and contact disputes, domestic violence injunctions, divorce and civil partnership dissolution.

Jon was admitted as a solicitor in 1973, and has been a legal aid solicitor for over 35 years. He founded the firm with Danny Halpern in 1991, and was a partner until 2008, when he became a consultant. He is a specialist children law solicitor and has been a member of the Law Society Children Panel since 1988. He has acted as a family law peer reviewer for the Legal Services Commission since 2005.

After obtaining a degree in Government and Law from the LSE, Kathy worked in London for a number of years in various voluntary agencies in the homelessness sector, providing resettlement support, advice and advocacy services to rough sleepers and homeless people. She returned to Manchester in 2001 and completed the CPE and LPC. She has been with the firm's housing department since 2004 and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.

Wilma Deane is a Law Graduate of the University of Manchester. She qualified in 1980 and joined the firm in 1991 as a partner based at the Rusholme office. She practised in the fields of family and criminal law for a number of years. She now specialises in family and children law. Wilma is a member of the Children Panel and practises in all aspects of public law with an emphasis on care proceedings. She has wide experience of advocacy on behalf of children and parents. She works with Children's Guardians, representing children in a variety of proceedings.

Lucy gradated with a degree in Combined Studies with Law and Psychology at Liverpool University in 1994. She qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and joined Platt Halpern in 2011. Lucy specialises in all areas of children and family law representing parents and other family members in care proceedings, residence and contact disputes, domestic violence injunctions, forced marriage cases and divorce and civil partnership dissolution.

Shazia studied law at Manchester Metropolitan University graduating in 2008. She joined the firm in 2009 whilst completing the Legal Practice Course part time in Manchester. She is a fully accredited police station representative and regularly advises clients in police detention. She also prepares Crown Court Cases ranging from serious assaults, robberies, drug offences, child neglect and rape. She has particular expertise in dealing with clients who are being investigated or charged with Benefit Fraud offences.

Danny is a partner in the firm. On qualifying as a solicitor he worked at South Manchester Law Centre for a number of years in housing and employment law. He has continued his housing law practice at Platt Halpern, having founded the firm with Jon Comyn-Platt in 1991. Danny also specialises in personal injury claims and claims against the police. Danny is a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

Mike began his career working for Pannone and Partners. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1985 and has specialised in crime ever since. He had his own practice from 1989-2000 and has been with our firm for 8 years. He was one of the first solicitor advocates in the country. He is one of the founding members of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association and was on the national committee for 5 years, as well as the Manchester Law Society. He has lectured extensively on many aspects of the law, including drink driving. He has been a Deputy District Judge since 2000 and has sat in courts throughout the North-West and Midlands. He has defended many high profile cases including murder, manslaughter, rape and VAT fraud. He was the junior advocate in the highly unusual case of R v Lowe, a murder case with a defence of ‘sleepwalking’.

Emma graduated with a Law degree from Lancaster University in 2001. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2006 and joined Platt Halpern in 2011. Emma specialises in all aspects of family and children law, representing parents and other family members in care proceedings and dealing with residence, contact, divorce, civil partnership dissolution and other family matters.

Bryony studied law at Durham University, graduating in 2006, and completed the Bar Vocational Course at Manchester Metropolitan in 2008. She joined Platt Halpern in November 2008 and is a solicitor in the housing department.

Ellen was a scientist for many years before becoming a solicitor in 1992. She joined Platt Halpern in 1994 and was based at the Rusholme Office until 2007. She now coordinates the work and training of the Family Solicitors in the Rusholme and Oldham offices.

Marion obtained a degree in Media, Communication and Cultural Studies at Leeds University in 1995 and completed her post graduate studies in Law at Manchester Metropolitan University in 1998. She qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and joined Platt Halpern in 2001. Marion is partner in the firm. Marion is a member of the Children Panel and specialises in care proceedings. She represents parents, other family members and children in family proceedings. She also deals with residence and contact disputes, child abduction and forced marriage cases.

Ifhtkhar is an Associate of Institute of Legal Executives and soon hopes to qualify as a Member of the Institute. He joined Platt Halpern in 2005. He is experienced in private children law matters including contact & residence, domestic violence, divorce and ancillary relief. He speaks Swahili, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Gujarati.

Tom studied law at Leeds before completing the Legal Practice Course in Manchester. He began his career at the firm in 2007, qualified with the firm as a solicitor in November 2010. In November 2011 he qualified as a criminal duty solicitor, and regularly advises clients in police detention and acts on behalf of clients in the magistrates’ court. He has an extensive portfolio of criminal preparation work, having worked on many capital cases including murders, serious drug offences, and sexual offences.

John studied at Leeds University and qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He joined Platt Halpern in 1999. He specialises in all areas of housing law. He has acted for tenants in a number of notable cases including Manchester City Council v Pinnock [2010] UKSC 45, North British Housing Association v Matthews and others [2004] EWCA Civ 1736, Yates v Elaby ChD 17/11/03 Reported Lawtel 1/11/06 and Manchester City Council v Finn [2002] EWCA Civ 1998. He is also an experienced personal injury practitioner.

John joined Platt Halpern in 2004 and is a highly experienced solicitor advocate who appears in all criminal courts. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1974 and spent 30 years at his family practice, where he came to specialise in criminal law. He served on the council of the Manchester Law Society for many years, as well as being chair of the Manchester Duty Solicitor Committee. He has defended a full range of criminal offences.

Graham joined the firm as Practice Manager in December 2012. Graham worked in the social housing field for many years before switching to legal practice management in 1998 following completion of an MBA at Nottingham Business School in 1995. Graham has extensive practice management experience having spent 14 years with a leading legal aid firm, Howells LLP in South Yorkshire. In 2012 Graham assisted the directors of A & N Care Solicitors Limited with the establishment of a new legal aid practice helping them secure the Specialist Quality Mark accreditation.

Alison is a highly experienced crown court clerk. She has worked for the firm since 1998 and is an accredited police station representative of many years standing. She regularly advises those arrested but also prepares all types of serious crown court cases. Alison has a particular expertise in defending those accused of sexual offences (such as historic abuse cases) but prepares a wide variety of cases such as murder, manslaughter, serious assaults and robberies. She is also interested in defending juveniles and those with mental health difficulties.