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About Howells Solicitors

Experienced law firm based in Sheffield, Rotherham & Barnsley

Howells Solicitors has over 40 years of experience giving excellent legal advice. Our friendly team of legal experts are dedicated to helping anyone who needs legal advice, always focused on client care. We have offices in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley, offering expert legal services for you and your family.

We have expert solicitors in key areas of personal law from children law and matrimonial to personal injury, wills, probate and medical negligence as well as residential conveyancing and motoring. We also have a highly experienced criminal defence department to give advice and representation in all areas including arrest and court appearances.

Howells Solicitors is committed to offering expert legal advice to every individual who seeks it, to improving access to justice and our clients’ experience of the law, and to deliver a customer-focused, value-based service at all times. We are also proud to have a 99% satisfaction rating from our clients on review solictors.

We are different at Howells Solicitors. You are at the heart of what we do, which is why we pride ourselves on being friendly and approachable and making sure that you always get personal attention and a top quality service, whether you are a private paying client or are receiving publicly funded legal aid.

The vast range of services we offer means that we can help you in all key stages of life, as well as the times that you hadn’t planned for.

Howells are also active members of the local and legal community with a strong reputation of charitable work, attending local community events and having membership at professional and local organisations.

Services we provide are:

Accident & Personal Injury

Medical Negligence

Criminal Defence

Wills, Trusts & Probate

Civil Liberties & Inquests

Motoring Offences

Family Law

Children Law

Property & Conveyancing

Claims & Complaints Against the Police

Inquests

Fast Facts

Founded: 1979

Directors: 5
Managing Director & Head of Business Support: Simon Sheldon
Head of Family Law: John Clegg
Head of Matrimonial: Sharon Lockwood
Head of Crime: Mary Rose Macadam and Chris Wong
Head of Wills, Trusts & Probate: Lindsey Rawson
Head of Property & Conveyancing: Stephen Taylor
Head of Children Law: Laura Hill & Deborah Thompson

Offices

We have offices in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham.

Howells Solicitors Directors

Simon Sheldon serves as the firm’s Managing Director and Head of Business Support. Simon ensures that the firm operates smoothly, guaranteeing first class service delivery to our valued clients. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining Howells’ reputation for excellence in the legal industry.

Sharon Lockwood is a Director and Solicitor and heads up the firms Matrimonial team, and the at team at our Rotherham office. Sharon specialises in the financial side of divorce and separation and represents clients when disputes arise over where a child will live.

John Clegg is a Director and a Solicitor and heads the firms family law team. He is based in the Howells Sheffield office, and deals with all aspects of matrimonial law including divorce, civil partnership and cohabitation breakdown, financial matters arising on separation and divorce, pre and post-nuptial agreements and protection from domestic abuse. John is also the training principal at Howells, developing the next generation through the firm.

John is a member of a voluntary organisation called Resolution, he is also on the University of Sheffield’s School of Law Advisory Board, where he advises and informs about provision of education in the legal sector and helps guide strategic direction of the University.

Lindsey Rawson is a Director and a Solicitor and oversees the firms Wills, Trusts & Probates team. Lindsey is also the firms COLP. Lindsey is frequently asked to advise on a variety of work including, Will drafting, Trusts matters, Probate, Court of Protection Applications, Powers of Attorney, Inheritance Tax and Asset Protection advice.

Chris Wong is a Director and a Solicitor and oversees the firms Criminal Defence and Motoring Offences team. Chris has worked exclusively in Criminal Law, including Motoring Offences, for over 30 years. He is also Head of the Crown Court team.

Heads of Department

Mary Rose Macadam is the Head of the Criminal Defence teams at Rotherham and Barnsley and a Solicitor. Mary Rose represents clients accused of criminal offences, including Motoring Offences, throughout South Yorkshire’s Magistrates Courts. She is an expert in her field and has a particular knowledge of Youth Court work and cases involving mental health issues.

Michelle Gyte is the Head of the Medical Negligence and Personal Injury team, and is a Solicitor. Michelle specialises in complex clinical negligence cases in which clients have often suffered life changing injuries as well as the families of those who have suffered the loss of a loved one as a result of a medical accident.

Laura Hill and Deborah Thompson are the joint heads of the Children Law department. Laura and Deborah specialise in proceedings relating to children, including special guardianship and social care involvement. They both represent both parents and children in care proceedings.

Stephen Taylor is the head of Property & Conveyancing team. Stephen undertakes the full range of Residential Property work, adopting a client focused and thorough approach to his work.

Latest News

Can I Stay in the Family Home After Separation?

If you’re not a legal owner of the property, staying in the family home after separation can be challenging, but it’s sometimes possible depending on your situation. The answer depends on whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or unmarried but living together (cohabiting). Understanding your legal position early is vital, allowing you to …

Continue reading “Can I Stay in the Family Home After Separation?”

18 Dec, 2025

What Happens to the Home After Separation? Property Rights for Married and Unmarried Couples in the UK

When a relationship ends, deciding what happens to the family home is often one of the biggest concerns. For many couples in the UK, a house is their largest asset and central to family life. Understanding your property rights to the family home can protect your financial future and living arrangements after a separation. This …

Continue reading “What Happens to the Home After Separation? Property Rights for Married and Unmarried Couples in the UK”

18 Dec, 2025

What is a Power of Attorney?

This guide will help you understand what a Power of Attorney is, how to assign an Attorney and the responsibilities of an Attorney

08 Dec, 2025