We have eight members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Frances Lawlor, Senior Partner and Head of Probate.
Frances Lawlor – Partner
Frances is the head of the team and has over 35 years’ experience in private client work. Frances has been working in this area since she qualified and she too has helped thousands of families and individuals through a difficult period in their lives.
Frances qualified as a solicitor in 1983 after obtaining a degree in Law, completing the Solicitors’’ Final Examination at the College of Law in Chester and completing her training contract at our predecessor firm Ackerley Heaton and Pigot. Frances was one of the founding partners of the firm Houghton Pigot & Co.
Susan Houghton – Partner
Sue has over 25 years’ experience in private client work. Sue has been working in this area since she qualified and has helped thousands of families and individuals through a difficult period in their lives.
Sue qualified as a solicitor in 1994 after obtaining a degree in English and French Law, completing the Solicitors’’ Final Examination at the College of Law in London and completing her training contract at Houghton Pigot & Co where she has worked since 1991. She became a partner in 1998.
Mark Duffy – Partner
Mark has over 10 years’ experience in private client work. He has already helped hundreds of families guiding them through the tough process.
Mark qualified as a solicitor in 2013 after obtaining a Law Degree at Manchester Metropolitan University followed by the completion of his Legal Practice Course at the same University. Mark also completed his training contract with Houghton, Pigot & Co in 2013 after joining the firm in 2007. He became partner in 2018.
Bethany Flynn – Assistant Solicitor
Bethany completed her training contract with us and was admitted as a solicitor in 2019. Bethany obtained a Law Degree at The University of Nottingham in 2016 and completed her Legal Practice Course at BPP in Manchester.
Bethany started her training contract at London firm Bird & Bird in 2017 before relocating to Wigan in March 2018.
Bethany undertakes all aspects of family law work and also undertakes preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney and some conveyancing.
Jennifer Haigh – Legal Executive
Jennifer joined our predecessor firm Ackerley Heaton and Pigot in 1976 and has worked for the firm since then. She has over 50 years’ experience in private client work. She is based at our Ashton-in-Makerfield office and over her many years of experience has helped thousands of people from Ashton and beyond at a difficult time for all involved.
Lynne Grundy – Legal Secretary
Lynne has over 25 years experience working as a legal secretary and has five years experience in private client work. Lynne has worked with Frances Lawlor, Susan Houghton and Mark Duffy to build a wealth of experience in such a short time.
Lynne joined Houghton, Pigot & Co in 2013 and previously worked at another local solicitors firm from 1991 to 2013. Lynne works as Frances Lawlor and Mark Duffy’s first point of contact for many clients, using her experience to guide them through the probate process.
Maggy Green
Maggy joined Houghton, Pigot & Co in 2004 originally joining as a receptionist. In 2005 Maggy was promoted to a private client secretary and has worked in this area ever since. She has built up a wealth of experience working as secretary, initially for Margaret Pigot a partner in our predecessor firm Ackerley Heaton and Pigot before working with Frances Lawlor, Susan Houghton and Mark Duffy.
Maggy completed her legal text processing qualification whilst with Houghton, Pigot & Co and is first point of contact at our Wigan branch for private client work where she helps guide clients through the difficult process.