Originally established in the 1930s, the firm has grown in size and reputation, and is one of the leading firms in Tameside.

Catherine Rogers

Partner / Solicitor

Catherine is the Head of the Family Department. She has over 15 years of experience in her role, having trained and qualified at the firm. She specialises in Children Act matters, including residence/ contact disputes, Local Authority (Care) Proceedings and Special Guardianship Order applications. Catherine also deals with domestic abuse matters, including applications for Non-Molestation Orders.

Catherine has a Children Law Accreditation from the Law Society, which enables her to represent children within Court proceedings. Catherine prides herself on taking an understanding and sympathetic approach to all matters.

Richard Carlin

Partner / Solicitor

Richard is a partner and solicitor at Pluck Andrew Solicitors. He has over 15 years of experience in providing legal services to clients in various areas of law. He is passionate about helping clients navigate complex and challenging situations with professionalism and empathy.

Richard specialises in family law, particularly in negotiating financial settlements upon divorce and the breakdown of a relationship.

Richard also has a Criminal Litigation Accreditation from the Law Society, which enables him to represent clients at the police station and Magistrates Court.

Rachel Wilson

Partner / Solicitor

Rachel is the Head of the Criminal Department and became a Partner in October 2025. She has over 20 years’ experience in this sector and was admitted to the role of solicitors in 2011. Rachel is an accredited duty solicitor. Rachel attends at the police station and youth/magistrates court daily and gives each case significant attention to detail.

Rachel is an experienced Crown Court litigator and has worked on several serious cases including, but not limited to, offences of murder, rape and large-scale drugs conspiracies.

Tim Male

Partner / Solicitor

Tim is the Head of the Property Department and became a Partner in October 2025. He trained with Pluck Andrew Solicitors, qualifying in 2017.

Tim assists clients in a whole range of residential conveyancing transactions including sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity. His training and experience means he can deal with apartment, shared ownership, unregistered, new build and right to buy/acquire purchases.

Tim’s legal knowledge, combined with his personable service, sees him held in high regard by his clients, many of whom are repeat clients or come to him through recommendations.

Russell Wild

Solicitor

Russell has been qualified as a solicitor for over 30 years and has been with Pluck Andrew Solicitors for the vast majority of those years. Russell has specialised in Criminal Law since joining the firm in 1998.

Russell’s experience includes all types of Criminal Law; defending in the Magistrates and Crown Courts, and Court of Appeal. In 2011, Russell gained Higher Rights of Audience in the Crown Court. Russell’s experience spans dealing with motoring matters all the way through to theft, robbery, rape and murder cases.

Russell believes that over the years, a down-to-earth and sympathetic approach has led to his being recommended to new clients from all walks of life.

Melissa Wakelin

Criminal Defence Lawyer

Melissa deals with all manner of criminal offences, representing clients at police stations, Magistrates’ Courts and Youth Courts. In addition, she has a keen interest in defending applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Melissa has dedicated her career to criminal law and prior to joining Pluck Andrew Solicitors, she spent 15 years working for a national criminal defence firm.

Melissa is highly respected by her colleagues and clients alike, working hard to secure the best outcome for her clients.

Melissa is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

Brian Burgess

Chartered Legal Executive

Brian is a Legal Executive within the firm’s Property Department and has vast experience of residential conveyancing and also specialises in commercial property matters.

Brian is regularly sought out by both private clients and businesses for his expertise in Property Law. Brian is based at our Hyde Office and is held in high regard throughout the Manchester area. His knowledge and his thorough approach to all his work has given peace of mind to clients of the firm for more than twenty years.

Christopher Allen

Solicitor

Chris is a Solicitor specialising in Wills and Probate; he administers estates and deals with the related conveyancing.

He also has a wealth of experience in planning estates, preparing Trusts to offer protection against the cost of care, preparing Powers of Attorney and making applications to the Court of Protection. He has, throughout his time with the firm, acted in disputed estates both bringing and defending cases. This includes cases for financial provision from estates, challenges to the validity of wills and when executors are in dispute. He also deals with estates where there is property in both the UK and abroad, dealing with all taxation issues.

Leah Winstanley

Solicitor

Leah joined Pluck Andrew Solicitors as a Trainee Solicitor in June 2023 and qualified in November 2024.

Leah specialises in matrimonial matters, including divorce and financial disputes, and PLO matters, attending with clients at Local Authority meetings.

Leah is also able to represent clients at the police station.

Natalie Wileman

Children Department Legal Assistant

Natalie joined Pluck Andrew Solicitors in 2005 providing support in the Children Department.

Natalie has nearly 20 years’ experience in assisting with public and private law children matters, and is a first point of call for clients.