Welcome to Nicholson Portnell

We work for clients of all types including individuals, small and large businesses, private companies trusts and farmers. We aim to build friendly but professional  relationships with our clients and to make a difference to them by listening to their specific needs and finding a way to address them. The majority of our solicitors (shown below) have firm links with the area and the local community of Tynedale, having either originated from the area or having spent the majority of their lives here.  Many are involved in local interest groups such as Hexham Business Forum, Hexham Civic Society and the Rotary Club of Hexham.  Our commitment to the local community is evidenced by our support for such diverse local events and organisations as Hexham Music Festival, Tynedale Rugby Club, Hexham Book Festival, Tynedale Beer Festival and the Hexham Christmas ice rink project.

MEET THE TEAM

We are a team of dedicated professionals, here to help you.

Richard Nelson

Senior Partner
Property Law, Employment Law and Small Business Transactions

Richard has been a partner in Nicholson Portnell and its predecessor firm Portnell Ward & Rose since 1986, having trained with the former.

Having practised in Hexham for over 30 years, Richard has experience in almost all areas of general practice but now focuses on property and employment law.

Simon Jewitt

Simon Jewitt

Partner
Property Work and Small Business Transactions

Simon has been a Partner with Nicholson Portnell since 2012.

Simon specialises in all aspects of property work and small business transactions. He also has considerable expertise in dealing with agricultural matters and is a fellow of the Agricultural Law Association.

Emma Heather

Emma Heather

Partner
Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Emma joined Nicholson Portnell in February 2014 as a Solicitor in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team.

In 2017 Emma was appointed as a partner.

Alan Douglas

Alan Douglas

Partner
Administration of Estate and Trusts, Wills and Inheritance Tax Planning, and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Alan joined Nicholson Portnell in March 2018, having previously practised in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

Alan qualified as solicitor in 2008, and specialises in private client work. Alan is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

In 2021 Alan was appointed as a partner at Nicholson Portnell.

Helen Appleby-Mitchell

Solicitor
Residential Property

Helen returned to Nicholson Portnell in 2023 having previously been at the firm earlier in her career.

Helen qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 and specialises in conveyancing and residential property work.

Steve Bell

Solicitor
Administration of Estate and Trusts, Wills and Inheritance Tax Planning, and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Steve joined Nicholson Portnell in March 2023 as a member of the Private Client Team having previously practised in Devon.

Steve qualified as solicitor in 2006 and has over 25 years experience in private client work having been a Legal Executive prior to qualifying as a solicitor.

Jenny Ford

Solicitor
Residential & Commercial Property

Jenny joined Nicholson Portnell in 2023.

Jenny qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and specialises in property law, whether this be residential or commercial.

Laura Murphy

Solicitor
Administration of Estate and Trusts, Wills Inheritance Tax Planning and, Lasting Powers of Attorney

Laura returned to Nicholson Portnell in 2023, having qualified as a solicitor with the firm in 2010.

Laura specialises in Private Client work and is member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Henry Box

Solicitor
Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Henry joined Nicholson Portnell in November 2023 as a solicitor in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department.

Having been called to the Bar in 2009, he later cross-qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and practised commercial litigation from a number of firms in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Ashley Shepard

Ashley Shepard

Solicitor Apprentice
Residential Property

Ashley has been with Nicholson Portnell since 2004.

Ashley joined the firm as office junior and worked her way up to conveyancing secretary. Ashley qualified as a paralegal in 2017 after study and completing a Law Society approved course in residential conveyancing law.

Janine Calkin

Paralegal
Family and Litigation

Janine has over 30 years’ experience working in the legal field and joined Nicholson Portnell in 2020, as a Paralegal in the firm’s Family and Litigation and Dispute Team.

Janine studied with the Institute of Legal Executives in 1993 and obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Social Sciences in 2015.

Michelle Forster

Paralegal
Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Michelle joined Nicholson Portnell in January 2018 having spent the previous nine years working at a firm in Newcastle.

Born and raised in Tynedale, Michelle hails from a local farming family. Michelle is a qualified paralegal and is passionate about her speciality: advice about and the drafting of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Victoria Waters

Paralegal
Matrimonial, Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Victoria previously worked as a Legal Secretary, specialising in family law, in the North East for a number of years before commencing work with Nicholson Portnell in 2010.

Jennifer Weir

Trainee Paralegal
Residential Property

Jennifer has been with Nicholson Portnell since 2019, joining as a legal secretary for the Conveyancing department.

Hayley Olson

Paralegal
Private Client Department

Hayley joined Nicholson Portnell in December 2023 as a Paralegal in the Private Client Department.

Hayley is a Local Hexham Girl who is currently furthering her studies through CILEX.

Tracy Bell

Paralegal
Residential Property

Tracy joined Nicholson Portnell in August 2023 as a Paralegal in the Conveyancing Department following her relocation from Devon.

Tracy has over 18 years’ experience working in the legal field in various roles and she is originally from Lincolnshire.