Ian is the Senior Consultant Solicitor at Bailey Smailes and former Head of the Private Client team. He has considerable expertise and extensive knowledge of matters including Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney, as well as issues relating to Inheritance and Capital Gains Tax. With over 50 years’ experience in practice, Ian deals with a broad spectrum of complex matters on a day to day basis. He also has substantial knowledge in Agricultural issues, as well as Commercial and Residential Property transactions.
Ian joined the firm in 1968, qualifying as a Solicitor in 1973. He became a Partner in 1974, albeit in one of the constituent firms, Smailes & Walker. Ian is accredited with STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners).
A keen golfer, Ian also enjoys Fine Art.
Alan is a Consultant Solicitor and the former-head of the Residential Conveyancing Team. He completed his Law Degree at the University of Sheffield and qualified as a solicitor in 1975. He became a Partner in one of the constituent firms, Heap Marshall and Healey, in 1985 and was a Partner at Bailey Smailes since amalgamation in 2000. In August 2023, Alan became a Consultant to the firm.
In his early career, Alan gained extensive experience in Matrimonial and Litigious work but, for the last thirty years, he has specialised in Residential and Commercial Property, including Freehold and Leasehold Sales and Purchases, Re-mortgages, the Granting of Leases, Transfers of Equity and Equity Release. He has a wealth of knowledge in this area and also other non-contentious work, including the making of Wills and the Administration of Estates.
Alan’s attention to detail and broad range of skills means that he can deal competently and efficiently with all matters within the Residential Conveyancing spectrum.
Alan has lived in the local area all his life and is a dedicated follower of Huddersfield Town.
David is a Director – and the CEO – of Helios Legal Services Limited, the company that continues the business of Bailey Smailes Solicitors. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a property solicitor dealing with all aspects of property transaction work and financial institutions. A driving force behind Helios, his energy and experience pushes the business forward with new systems to promote efficiency whilst also appraising new practices to enhance the offering to Clients. Approachable and driven, David is always interested to meet with new firms or individuals looking to join Helios. In his spare time David enjoys golf, travel, Thai food, and the trials and tribulations of his beloved Leeds United.
Lyndsey is an experienced member of the Property Team and a fully Licensed Conveyancer specializing in residential property. Approachable and efficient, Lyndsey is based at our Holmfirth office and acts for Clients near and far in all manner of property transaction, whether it be a sale, purchase, remortgage or new-build development opportunity.
Emma is a Residential Property Solicitor based at the Huddersfield Office. She joined Bailey Smailes from another leading local firm in October 2020.
Emma studied Law at the University of Huddersfield and qualified with a Masters in Law and Practice in 2013, before moving on to gain experience in Residential Conveyancing and Family Law, qualifying as a Solicitor in April 2018. Emma undertook Family work upon qualification, before making a return to Residential Conveyancing. Emma deals with a variety of matters including Sales and Purchases of Freehold Properties, Leasehold Titles and Transfers of Equity.
In her spare time, Emma enjoys running, going to the Gym and cooking for friends and family.
Sophie is a Solicitor in the Private Client Department. She can advise on Wills, Trusts, Tax Planning and Estate Administration as well as Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. Sophie studied Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, gaining a Masters in Law and Practice in 2019, before qualifying as a Solicitor in 2024. In her spare time, Sophie enjoys spending time at the gym.
Lisa is a member of the Property team and assists in the transactions of residential property. She is well on the way to attaining her qualification as a Licensed Conveyancer.
Oliver is a Consultant Solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience as a Commercial & Property Litigation solicitor. He has spent the last few years focused on regulatory compliance, employee, and customer care. Oliver ensures that the Company delivers the very highest standards in everything it does; from training and education to team-building, attention to detail, and Client satisfaction. Approachable and ‘fit-as-a-fiddle’ Olly enjoys squash, the great outdoors, trips to Australia, and leisurely cycling unimaginable distances.
Dominic is a Director of Helios Legal Services Ltd. and is a Commercial Litigation Solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience in civil and commercial disputes and Court hearings across the country. He has also worked within private equity and venture capital. Whilst Dominic oversees the operation of the business, he works closely with all of the Directors to grow the business offering and consider new acquisitions. In his spare time, Dom enjoys spending time with his kids, cooking, skiing, and travelling near and far (especially to the US, where he used to live).
Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and initially specialised in Family law. In 2007, Sarah decided to re-train in Private Client. She worked at a long-established firm in Castleford for more than 15 years before moving to Bailey Smailes in November 2023, bringing her wealth of experience in non-contentious Private Client matters including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate, Property and Financial Affairs Court of Protection applications and Trusts. Sarah’s kind and compassionate approach puts her clients at ease and she prides herself in explaining complex legal issues in plain English.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys gardening, spending time at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, classical music and holidaying in sunny climes whenever she can. She’s also a big fan of tennis and Wimbledon in particular.
Sam is the Practice Manager and Senior Legal Cashier, heading the Accounts Team. He began his career as an Accounts Assistant, after completing Accountancy, Business Studies and ICT A-Levels at Kirklees College in 2005 and has more than 14 years’ experience in Legal Accounting. He joined Bailey Smailes in 2014 and has studied towards the Institute of Legal Finance and Management (ILFM) and the Association of Accounting Technicians (ATT) Diplomas. In his spare time, Sam enjoys socialising and playing/watching football and is a keen supporter of Manchester United.
Laura assists within our Property and Private Client team and helps the Solicitors and Licensed Conveyancers and all members of the team carry out transactions efficiently. Laura enjoys the fine weather in Greece as often as she can, but is always willing to help a Client of the firm with any enquiries they may have.
Jonathan is a Senior Solicitor and Head of the Commercial Property Department, boasting over 30 years’ in Practice. Although specializing in Commercial Property, he is comfortable in dealing with Private Client matters, such as Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate. Jonathan also has extensive experience in Agricultural cases.
Having qualified as a Solicitor in 1985, he has gained substantial knowledge from working in various large law firms across the region. His straightforward manner and pragmatic approach to complex issues is appreciated by his Clients and means that they always receive clear and concise advice.
Jonathan regularly attends professional development training courses in relation to Property and Commercial law.
Sarah is a Senior Solicitor in the Private Client Department. She has been with Bailey Smailes since 2002 and has over 35 years’ experience working at various firms around the globe.
After studying Law at the University College London (UCL), Sarah trained as a Barrister at the Inns School Court of Law, London (now part of The City Law School). She then trained as a Solicitor and completed her Batchelor of Law Degree at the University of Sydney, Australia. Sarah qualified as a Solicitor in New South Wales in 1996, and as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2003, allowing her to practice in both jurisdictions.
Sarah’s expertise has been further enhanced by working in a number of roles around the world, including locations such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, Australia and London. She can assist with all matters relating to Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate, Tax Planning, and Court of Protection matters, in addition to Residential Freehold/Leasehold Sales and Purchases.
David is a Director of Helios Legal Services Ltd., the company that continues the business of Bailey Smailes Solicitors. He is a senior Solicitor and joined Bailey Smailes in 2007.
David is a very experienced Private Client Solicitor, with over 15 years of specialism. He can advise on complex Wills, Tax Planning, Trusts and Estate Administration. In addition, David can assist with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters.
Whilst attending Manchester University, David studied Theology, graduating in 1999 before undertaking legal studies.
David is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and was also awarded the mark of distinction in the further STEP qualification Advanced Certificate in Will preparation. He is also a full professional member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and The Ecclesiastical Law Society.
David is a Governor of a local special needs secondary school and part of the team which won the National Governing Body Award.
Ian Holmes and David Wells are the STEP accredited Solicitors for Helios Legal Services Ltd
David Wells is the Association of Lifetime Lawyers accredited Solicitor for Helios Legal Services Ltd
