Our People

MIKE PLASKITT - PARTNER

Mike qualified as a Solicitor in 1978 and he founded Walters & Plaskitt with Andrew Walters in 1980.  Mike is a specialist criminal lawyer and he is a Duty Solicitor under the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme. 

In recent years Mike has developed the work of the Firm’s specialist Prison Law Department and he leads the team of lawyers from the Firm who deal with prison law matters and who provide assistance and representation on issues including:-

• Parole Board reviews
• Adjudication Hearings
• Sentence planning
• Re-categorisation
• Prison Licence issues

 

Mike is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

SIMON LEECH - PARTNER

Simon qualified as a Solicitor in 1990 and joined Walters & Plaskitt in 1994 after working for two firms in Newcastle under Lyme where he had undertaken a mixed case load.  Simon specialises in criminal defence work and is a Duty Solicitor under the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and a Higher Court Advocate (Crime).

Simon is responsible for quality assurance issues within the Firm.

Simon is based at both the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611) and Smallthorne Office (telephone 01782 830038).

 

STEVE VASEY - PARTNER

Steve qualified as a Solicitor in 1993 and joined Walters & Plaskitt in 1999, after working for three firms in North Staffordshire where he had undertaken case work in a wide variety of areas.  Much of Steve’s day to day casework is in the area of criminal defence work (he is a Duty Solicitor under the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme) and he has a substantial case load dealing with cases involving ASBOs and regulatory and licensing appeals.  Steve is responsible for the operation of anti-money laundering regulations within the Firm.

Steve is based at the Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

ARIF HUSSAIN – ASSOCIATE

Arif joined Walters & Plaskitt in 1996 and qualified as a Solicitor in 1999.  He leads the work at the Firm’s Crown Court team and has extensive experience of high profile complex criminal cases.  He is a Duty Solicitor under the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and a Higher Court Advocate (Crime).

Arif is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

JOANNE CORBETT – ASSOCIATE

Joanne joined Walters & Plaskitt in 1999 and completed her training at the Firm before qualifying as a Solicitor in 2002.  Joanne has spent time teaching law at Staffordshire University and she specialises in criminal defence work.  She is a Duty Solicitor under the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.

Joanne is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

ANGELA TRAFFORD – ASSOCIATE

Angela qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and after working for another firm of Solicitors she joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2006.  She specialises in criminal defence work and is a Duty Solicitor under the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.  Her daily workload involves criminal advocacy and representation of clients in Police custody and she is responsible for the training and development of staff who advise clients detained in Police Custody.

Angela is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

HAYLEY KEEGAN – ASSOCIATE

Hayley qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2008 after working for two other firms based in North Staffordshire.  She specialises in criminal defence work and is a Duty Solicitor under the Law Society Criminal Litigation Scheme.  She has considerable experience of criminal advocacy and Police Station representation.  She has undertaken work in many serious high profile cases and she is responsible for the training and development of staff who represent clients in the Youth Court.  A substantial amount of her work involves attending prison disciplinary and parole hearings.

Hayley is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

SCOTT ASHDOWN – ASSOCIATE

Scott qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2007, after working for another firm of Solicitors based in North Staffordshire.  He specialises in criminal defence work and has extensive advocacy experience.  He is qualified as a Duty Solicitor under the Law Society Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and is a Higher Court Advocate (Crime).
 
Scott is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

LESLEY BOWEN – ASSOCIATE

Lesley qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and she specialises in family law.  For many years she was a partner in a firm of solicitors in London and she joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2005 after moving to North Staffordshire.  She has extensive experience of dealing with cases involving substantial financial disputes, contact and residence disputes and domestic violence.  She is a member of the Law Society Family Law Accreditation Scheme (Advanced).

Lesley is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

MELVIN BARKER

Melvin joined Walters & Plaskitt in 1984 and he has a wide ranging case load involving conveyancing and probate matters.  He routinely deals with high value financial transactions and probate work

Melvin is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

CAROLE SKILTON – POLICE STATION REPRESENTATIVE

Carole joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2002 after working for another firm of Solicitors in North Staffordshire.  She is an Accredited Police Station Representative and deals with criminal cases which are under investigation by the Police and other authorities.  She has extensive experience of dealing with high profile and serious cases.

Carole is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

KATE ADAMS – POLICE STATION REPRESENTATIVE

Kate joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2006 after training to be a Police Station Representative and working at another firm of solicitors in North Staffordshire.

She works as an Accredited Police Station Representative and has considerable experience of dealing with a wide range of criminal cases which are the subject of investigation by the Police and other agencies. 

Kate is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611).

 

LAURA SMITH – POLICE STATION REPRESENTATIVE

Laura joined Walters & Plaskitt in 2009 after working as a Police Station Representative at two other Firms of Solicitors in North Staffordshire.  She has extensive experience of dealing with a wide range of criminal cases which are under investigation by the Police and other investigating agencies.

Laura is based at the Firm’s Burslem Office (telephone 01782 819611)

 

JAYNE BLOOR –  ASSOCIATE

Jayne joined Walters & Plaskitt in 1986 and qualified as a Solicitor in 1993.  She was previously a partner in the Firm but retired from the partnership in 2006.  She specialises in dealing with serious family law disputes and she is a member of the following Law Society Panels:-

• Children Panel
• Family Law Panel
• Family Law Panel (Advanced).

Jayne specialises in dealing with high value financial disputes and complex child contact / residence disputes. 

Jayne is based at the Firm’s Smallthorne Office (telephone 01782 830038).

 

JIM WALKER – CONVEYANCING MANAGER

Before joining Leslie N. Dodd & Co in 2002 Jim worked for many years in the Legal Department of Stoke on Trent City Council where he was responsible for drafting complex documents relating to substantial property development schemes.  He is responsible for dealing with high value domestic and commercial property developments. 

Jim is based at the Firm’s Stoke Office (telephone number 01782 845807).

 

JULIE HISSEY – PARALEGAL

Julie joined Leslie N. Dodd & Co in 1986 and she is responsible for dealing with wills and probate matters.  She works alongside Murray Cantlay and she is responsible for the day to day administration of a substantial number of high value trusts.

Julie is based at the Firm’s Stoke Office (telephone number 01782 845807).