Meet our team of professional solicitors and support staff
All our solicitors have extensive experience in divorce, separation, financial settlements and the arrangements for the care of children when a relationship breaks down.
We are here to provide guidance, support and understanding during what can be a difficult time. We are committed to providing outstanding service and achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. We will deal with your matters in a sensitive, practical and unconfrontational way, but will take a tougher approach when required to get the right result.
Lucy Hart – Director
Lucy is an experienced family solicitor who has specialised in this area of law since 2007. The majority of her career has been spent in top tier Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners firms and she therefore has a wide breadth of expertise particularly in relation to financial settlements on divorce and complex children disputes. She is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Complex Financial and Property Matters and Children Law.
She also advises in relation to pre-nuptial agreements, disputes between unmarried couples and injunctions.
Lucy prides herself on her empathetic yet practical approach to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients and ensures that everyone at Sinclair Law provides a bespoke and high quality service to clients at a time of particular disruption in their lives.
In her spare time Lucy enjoys spending time with her two very energetic children and cocker spaniel.
Sandra Sinclair – Non Executive Director
Sandra Sinclair is an experienced family solicitor. She helps private clients in all matters of family law, providing both an experienced and personal level of service that’s the envy of many other ‘corporate’ law practices. She has been listed in Legal 500 directories and the Chambers and Partners have had this to say of her:
Sandra has the ability to handle complex cases and that inspires confidence in clients. She is praised for her courtroom manner during contested ancillary relief proceedings. She attracts extremely good work and carries out in a calm and thoughtful fashion.
Suzanne Moore – Solicitor
Suzanne has a wealth of experience in all areas of family law. She is a member of Resolution and is a Resolution accredited Collaborative Lawyer.
Suzanne is committed to working with you to find the best solution in as non-confrontational way as possible in order to achieve a swift resolution as cost effectively as possible.
Suzanne is approachable and has good technical skills. A well-respected solicitor in her field, Suzanne has developed a close working relationship with the LGBT Foundation in Manchester and is a member of the UK and Ireland LGBT Family Law Institute which is an association of solicitors and barristers experienced in the area of LGBT work.
Suzanne has published articles on same-sex issues and is at the forefront of advising same-sex couples on all aspects of separation, finances and children including surrogacy and donor agreements.
Gail Cartwright – Solicitor
A member of Resolution and Resolution Accredited Specialist and Collaborative Lawyer, Gail specialises in financial cases that involve substantial assets and complex issues and difficult disputes regarding children.
“Every client has a unique set of circumstances. I listen to them and work hard to ensure that I understand their requirements, and that they feel supported, reassured and confident in my ability to represent them. In addition, it is imperative that my clients know all their options and that I guide them through the process from beginning to end with clear, frank and practical advice. I aim to find the best possible solution for my client and their family, amicably and in a cost-effective manner.”
Sharon Williams – Solicitor
Sharon is a senior solicitor with a wealth of experience in dealing with all aspects of matrimonial breakdown, including divorce, financial matters and disputes concerning children. This includes advising grandparents on their rights and cases of parental alienation. Sharon also advises clients on cohabitee disputes, Separation Agreements and Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements. Sharon is a keen advocate and wherever possible endeavours to conduct her own court advocacy.
After qualifying in 2005 Sharon initially specialised in criminal defence and then went on to conduct work on behalf of the General Medical Council, both of which have meant that she brings a significant amount of empathy to her work. Since that time Sharon has focused on family law and now specialises in the area. Sharon encourages sensitive, cost-effective solutions that consider the needs of the whole family and in particular, the best interests of the children.
Sharon is able to provide sensitive and pragmatic advice to a range of family law clients. Sharon lives in Macclesfield and has an excellent reputation across Cheshire.
Jobeth Copping-Barrett – Solicitor
Jobeth heads the Private Client Department which specialises in Wills, Trusts, Probate, Estate Administration, Estate Planning, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection applications. Jobeth joined Sinclair Law in October 2022, having moved from a firm in Didsbury, Manchester.
Jobeth completed her LLB Law Degree in 2010 at City, University of London, followed by a Master’s degree in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Birmingham; before completing her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in Manchester. Jobeth previously worked at a niche firm in Knutsford, gaining significant experience in private client and litigation work. Jobeth’s career has always beenwith the end goal of following her passion for helping people navigate their way through an emotionally difficult time, in her specific field as a solicitor.
Jobeth prides herself on being compassionate, supportive and extremely approachable and is experienced in preparing detailed single wills and guiding couples in complex mirror wills. Jobeth has dealt with a variety of estates with a range of unusual challenges including missing beneficiaries and international assets.
Outside of work, Jobeth enjoys spending time outside with her family, honing her gardening skills or in the countryside with their cocker spaniel. Jobeth has played netball since university and now plays in local competitive leagues.
Danielle Cobb – Solicitor
Danielle joined Sinclair Law in March 2023. She completed her LLB Law Degree in 2014, before completing her Legal Practice Course with Masters at the University of Law in Manchester.
Danielle has specialised in Family Law since 2015, handling a wide range of matters concerning all aspects of matrimonial breakdown including divorce and financial matters (whether in or out of Court), Child Arrangements Orders including Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders, and injunctions relating to domestic abuse.
Danielle is an approachable and caring, yet robust lawyer who seeks to handle all matters with a pragmatic and cost-effective approach. She has a keen eye for detail and always strives to get the best result for each and every client.
Outside of work, Danielle is an avid sportswoman, playing in a competitive netball league. Danielle has a passion for travelling and enjoys going to the cinema and spending time with family and friends.
Charlotte Steele – Solicitor
Charlotte joined Sinclair Law in June 2024 after having spent the first part of her career in a large national multi service firm. Charlotte has specialised in Family Law since 2015, having found a real passion for assisting individuals through some of the most difficult moments of their life. She joined Sinclair Law to bring her expertise in high net worth financial settlements to a firm that focuses on providing a high level of service to all our clients.
Charlotte prides herself on having an extremely professional, yet empathetic and personable manner. She aims to deal with matters in a practical and amicable way to ensure that her clients feel supported, and the outcome reached is the best possible option. If the best option is via court proceedings then Charlotte has substantial experience in this area also.
Charlotte handles all aspects of relationship planning and breakdown including all aspects of Divorce and Financial Settlements, Civil Partnership Dissolution, Pre- and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Cohabitation Agreements and Separation Agreements. She also deals with all aspects of private law complex children matters.
In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys spending time with her two young children, days out with her family, travelling and reading.
Amelia Fernley – Solicitor
Amelia has worked exclusively in Family Law since May 2021. She qualified as a solicitor in May 2023 and during her time at Sinclair Law she has dealt with all aspects of matrimonial breakdown, including divorce matters, matrimonial finance and disputes concerning children. Amelia also has experience in advising clients on pre-nuptial agreements, disputes between unmarried couples and injunctions.
Amelia adopts a pragmatic approach and aims for matters to be dealt with in a practical, cost-effective manner whilst still trying to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients. Amelia is approachable and empathetic and prides herself on providing a service that advises, supports, and guides clients through a confusing and often stressful time in their lives.
In her spare time, Amelia enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family.
Heidi Kavanagh – Trainee Solicitor
Heidi joined Sinclair Law in September 2022 as a Paralegal having recently graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Laws.
Heidi has a keen interest in family law and has now started her trainee solicitor contract having joined Sinclair Law in order to specialise in family law.
She prides herself on being very approachable and understands the compassion and empathy required when assisting clients at this difficult time in their lives.
Outside of work and university, Heidi enjoys keeping fit and going to the gym.
Phoebe Tiernan – Paralegal
Phoebe joined Sinclair Law in July 2024 as a Paralegal following graduating from the University of York with a Bachelors of Law.
Phoebe was inspired to pursue a career in family law by her mother Nicola Tiernan who is also a family law solicitor. Phoebe is keenly interested in family law and passionate about a hands-on approach to helping people who are going through separation. Her personal experiences of family breakdown also give her an empathetic approach to problem solving.
In her own time Phoebe plays netball, goes to the gym, and looks after her 2 dogs.
Sharon Read – Personal Assistant
Sharon joined Sinclair Law in January 2017 and is an integral part of the team bringing many years of varied legal experience, with a particular interest in family law.
Sharon is the personal assistant to the directors and ensures that each client receives a high level of professional yet friendly service.
Sharon appreciates that every case is unique and approaches each with empathy and understanding.
Sharon lives in Poynton with her husband and two children and In her spare time Sharon enjoys musical theatre, loves to read and enjoys travelling.
Michelle Sparkes – Personal Assistant
Michelle has worked as a PA and Legal Secretary specialising in family law since 1994 and started working at Sinclair Law (including Nicola J Tiernan Ltd) in 2007.
Michelle is very aware of the distress caused by family breakdowns and her professional and empathetic approach has never failed to put clients at ease.
The extensive knowledge that Michelle has acquired over the years and her professional and hardworking approach make her an invaluable member of the team.
Alicia Owens – Apprentice Paralegal
Alicia joined Sinclair Law in March 2021 as the Office Administrator and was promoted to Apprentice Paralegal in November 2022. Alicia provides administrative support to the legal teams and individual solicitors as she learns the fundamentals of providing a professional legal service. She takes pride in ensuring the office runs smoothly and clients are well looked after. Alicia is an integral part of the team and is always available to assist.
Alicia lives in Macclesfield and was a young leader for cubs in her spare time.
Nicola Tiernan – Consultant
Nicola is a highly experienced family specialist with an established reputation in the Bramhall area which attracts clients from far and wide.
Nicola is an experienced Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator and believes passionately that Court proceedings should be avoided if at all possible. She therefore takes a creative approach to assisting clients, listening carefully to their objectives and brainstorms all alternatives to Court including collaborative, mediation, arbitration and round table meetings so as to ensure that the needs of a separating family are addressed in the most sensitive and child focused way.
Nicola has extensive experience in all areas of family law and her many testimonials, including below, speak for themselves.
“Professional, caring and courteous service with amazing amounts of empathy for people going through their most troubling times. I would definitely recommend this practice to anyone going through family law disputes.” Rob from Cheshire
