Meet Our Team
The Company of LHD Solicitors Ltd is headed by John Halewood-Dodd, who as well as being Managing Director, is also a practicing Solicitor.
The original practice of Lindsay Halewood-Dodd Solicitors was established in April 2003 and incorporated, in its entirety, the Criminal Defence department of Douglas Clift & Co. John Halewood-Dodd and David Lindsay were the Partners of that original firm but David Lindsay retired in 2007 and the Limited Company of LHD Solicitors Ltd was formed.
SOLICITORS
JOHN HALEWOOD-DODD
Managing Director & Senior Defence Solicitor
John heads up our Criminal Defence team having qualified as a Solicitor in 1996. He has established a determined and tenacious team of Lawyers, and support staff, renowned for obtaining successful outcomes for clients.
He specialised in Criminal Law from the outset and has successfully defended a myriad of cases, ranging from motoring offences to allegations of Murder. His highest profile case was a three month Trial at The Old Bailey, involving multiple Defendants, where his client was the only one found Not Guilty.
John is also a member of Duty Solicitor schemes for both Court and Police Stations. His continued passion for assisting those facing the entire spectrum of allegations remains the driving force behind the company.
DAVID LEACH
Solicitor
David attended Lancaster University and was admitted as a solicitor in 2001 after pursuing a career in the army.
He has experience in courts throughout the North West of England. His caseload covers all aspects of criminal defence work, including road traffic offences to serious organised crime. That scope includes homicide, sexual offences and multi-handed conspiracies.
As well as being a member of the Duty Solicitor scheme, David also specialises in action against the police cases.
LYNSEY OLDHAM
Solicitor
Lynsey joined LHD Solicitors in July 2020, having worked in the legal profession for nearly 20 years. Lynsey came to LHD with aspirations of becoming a Solicitor herself and we were keen to have her on board. Lynsey qualified as a Solicitor in September 2023 after completing her CILEx studies and SQE.
At home, Lynsey has a young family and takes time out on a Wednesday night when she plays in the Morecambe Ladies Darts League.
MAGISTRATES COURT DEPARTMENT
TONY McCRINK
Magistrates Court Clerk & Accredited Police Station Representative
Tony joined the firm in 2001 and quickly became a trusted member of LHD’s case preparation team. He is the senior legal clerk in the Magistrates’ Court department and is an Accredited Police Station Representative.
Tony has many years of experience dealing with an array of offences up to and including complex Conspiracy cases and Murder. He has extensive knowledge of all areas of Criminal Law which he applies in his dealings with cases both at the police station and when preparing cases for Court.
ZACH EVANS
Trainee Solicitor and Magistrates Court Clerk
Zach joined LHD in 2023 after completing his Masters Degree and the Legal Practice Course. He is over halfway through his training contract and will soon be a qualified Solicitor. He has a range of experience in the firm being a Police Station Representative as well as having worked on Magistrates, Crown Court and Action v Police files. From a young age, Zach has always aspired to become a criminal defence Solicitor.
In his spare time, Zach enjoys hiking in the Lake District and watching a plethora of sports.
VICKY SAVAGE
Magistrates Court Clerk and Accredited Police Station Representative
Vicky joined our team full time in early 2023 having worked as one of our accredited representatives for a number of years. She is a legal clerk in the Magistrates’ Court department and an Accredited Police Station Representative. Vicky is currently studying for a law degree at UCLan and looks to qualify as a solicitor in the next few years. She qualified as an Accredited Police Station Representative in 2011 and has had many years working on cases from the Police Station all the way up to Crown Court, covering an array of offences from driving matters to murders.
Outside of work, Vicky enjoys walks in the lakes and has undertaken many adventurous activities including skydiving and long distance hikes.
BEN DRURY
Magistrates Court Clerk
Ben is a Magistrates Court clerk who joined the firm in August 2021 as a member of the reception and admin department. He now prepares cases for Trial at the Magistrates Court and deals with Legal Aid. Ben has overseen a variety of simple and complex cases.
Ben has also had experience in a variety of career paths including being a trained actor having performed in theatres across the north west.
CROWN COURT DEPARTMENT
PAUL CLARKE
Crown Court Clerk
Paul is the senior legal clerk within our Crown Court department. He joined the firm in 2003 but has almost 40 years of experience working on Crown Court cases and is respected by Counsel and the Courts.
His knowledge of local practice and practitioners at every level is extremely beneficial. He has overseen the successful defence on a wide variety of matters including serious matters such as Murder, complex Proceeds of Crime Applications and Terrorism.
EILEEN WALTON
Crown Court Clerk
Eileen has been with LHD since 2006 working as a Clerk within our Crown Court department. She has had a variety of career paths, even working abroad at one stage, and she brings this life experience to her position within the firm.
Eileen consistently receives high praise from clients for her calming manner during a stressful time and is respected by Counsel with whom she works closely on a daily basis. She has dealt with all manner of Serious Crime including large scale Drug cases, Fraud, People Trafficking, Rape and violent offences including murder.
MARCUS ALIER
Trainee Solicitor and Crown Court Clerk
Marcus is our newest staff member, coming to LHD after completing two Masters Degrees and the Legal Practice Course. He currently works in the Crown Court department on a range of series offences with aspirations to qualify as a Solicitor.
In his spare time, Marcus enjoys travelling, chess and all things football.
RECEPTION AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
JO CLEMENTS
Practice Manager and Legal Cashier
Jo joined LHD Solicitors in May 2024, having worked in the NHS and Insurance Industry as a Fraud Investigator for over 18 years. Jo utilises her organisational and continuous improvement background in her role. She also looks after LHD’s accounts to ensure this closely scrutinised area is compliant with The Solicitors Regulation Authority rules.
Outside of work, Jo is a former World Ranking Darts player who also represents her County, and numerous local teams. She has travelled all over the world and played in two World Championships at the famous “Lakeside”.
DENISE ETHERINGTON
Legal Secretary
Denise joined the firm in 1990 from leaving college. She is the head of the reception and administration department and has been secretary to the Managing Director for over 10 years. She also has secretarial experience working in other areas of law including matrimonial and childcare.
MOMOKO OZAKI
Legal Secretary
Momoko joined the firm in 2024 as a member of the Reception and Admin Department after moving to Lancaster from France. She deals with correspondence sent to the Clients and makes sure that files are up to date.
Outside of work, she likes to spend her time involved in translation projects, reading and learning languages. She is also fluent in French and Japanese.
JESS TITMAN
Reception Assistant and Office Administrator
Jess joined our team in September 2023 as member of the Reception and Admin Department. Jess is a first point of contact for all Clients whether that be on the phone, email or face to face in the office. Jess also deals with Legal Aid Applications and keeping in contact with Police Officers across the North West. Jess is a friendly face that brings a smile to her position within the team.
Outside of work hours Jess is involved in stage productions in the Lancashire area and is an aspiring performer that hopes to take her training further in the future.