James O’Donnell

James studied Law in his home city of Manchester before completing the final stage of his education at the Chester College of Law.

James completed his training contract with a well-known regional firm and qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. Since then, he has built a solid reputation amongst individuals and businesses alike both in the local area and throughout the North West region. James has also built long standing relationships with a strong network of professionals with whom he works, in conjunction with his clients, allowing him to provide a holistic approach when advising clients.

Upon qualification, he was head hunted by his former firm to join its Commercial and Property team. James was made a Partner within his first year there, making him one of the youngest partners to be appointed, at the age of 26. James remained a Partner and latterly, (following incorporation) a Director of that firm for 10 years before leaving to set up O’Donnell Solicitors in 2015 together with his wife Rebecca O’Donnell also a Director of the firm.

James practices in Commercial and Corporate Law focusing on Commercial Property matters. James also advises clients upon Employment Law, Commercial and Corporate work involving Business Asset Sales and Purchases, Merger and Acquisition work. James also advised on Dispute Resolution, having a bias in disputes with a business or commercial angle.

James has been described as a ‘strong adversary in the broad spectrum of commercial law’. He adopts a fair, pragmatic, approach to disputes but will also fight hard for his client(s) when required. James is renowned for his commercial awareness and his strong strategical ability. James frequently accepts instructions from new clients referred to him by existing clients and often by clients who have been on the other side of a transaction or legal matter. He is known as a tenacious lawyer in his fields.

James lives locally with his wife and three young children and enjoys a busy social life. In his spare time, (although sparse these days) James enjoys running, skiing (in the winter months), Golf (in the summer months), walks and short breaks in the Lake District, exotic holidays with his family and dining out. James is also a self-taught Guitar player, being a proud owner of the limited edition and rare Epiphone Supernova as collaborated by Mr Noel Gallagher himself, which was a gift on his 18th Birthday.

James is based at the firms Head Office at Appleby’s Business Centre, Grasscroft, OL4 4HH and can be contacted by e-mail on james@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk or 01457 761320

Rebecca O’Donnell

Rebecca studied Law at Leeds University and completed the final stage of her legal education part time at the College of Law Chester, whilst already working for a well-known regional firm whereat she would later qualify.

Rebecca carried out her Training Contract at that firm and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007. She was soon invited to Partnership in 2010, (prior to the firm’s incorporation) and following incorporation, was appointed a Director. Rebecca’s training offered her an invaluable and intimate insight into several disciplines of the Law, enabling her to draw on that knowledge when required to do so. Rebecca eventually headed up the Private Client department of the firm which she helped grow rapidly and successfully.

Rebecca is well connected in the local area and enjoys a strong and loyal following in the Property and Private Client sector.

She is also highly praised as a good litigator with a particular emphasis on contested Estate litigation, as well as Landlord and Tenant disputes acting for a number of private Landlords.

Becky’s practice has a bias in Private Client and the elderly; however, she continues to act for a number of private clients in connection with residential property work and in contentious work when required depending upon the nature of the instructions.

Rebecca is highly regarded by Carers and Care Homes locally in respect of her work with the elderly and their relatives who wish to prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney or Wills. She also helps those wishing to apply to the Court of Protection on behalf of a person who has lost capacity or in dealing with the estate of someone who has passed away. Rebecca is frequently appointed as professional trustee, executor, and or attorney for individuals and works closely with a network of independent financial advisors.

Rebecca has a caring nature and is often sought out by local care providers. She is happy to attend clients at their home, in hospital, care homes or residence where required. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys spending quality time with her young family, visiting new places on holiday, dining out, nights out, (babysitter dependant), running, and all types of exercise. Rebecca also likes indulgent days with her friends visiting Spa’s and enjoying afternoon teas or a cocktail or two are also a much loved treat.

Rebecca is based at the firms Uppermill Office at 1st Floor 91-93 High Street, Uppermill, OL3 6BD and can be contacted on 01457 76 1320 and by e-mail at rebecca@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk.

Anthony Jones

Anthony is a born and bred Oldham man and has practised in Family Law for 16 years. After attending Saddleworth School, Oldham Sixth Form College and the University of Huddersfield he joined a practice in West Yorkshire and then a leading City Centre firm where he qualified as a Legal Executive.

Anthony then went onto law school at the College of Law Chester where he studied part-time and continued working full-time. He graduated with a distinction and qualified as a Solicitor in 2007.

Anthony then moved to a high street firm in Stockport and then Wilmslow before joining a national leading Family Law practice based in Cheshire and more recently a boutique family law firm in Manchester City Centre.

Anthony joined O’Donnell Solicitors in July 2016 as head of a new Family Department in an exciting move for the firm.

Anthony, who lives locally with his wife and three children, is an Accredited Specialist with Resolution, an organisation with 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. He is accredited in complex financial provision (on divorce or dissolution of civil partnerships) and cohabitation (the law in relation to unmarried couples).

Anthony has handled hundreds of mid to high net worth divorce and matrimonial finance cases which are often complex and involve dealing with share valuations, trusts, pensions, and property abroad. He also has extensive experience in disputes involving unmarried parties. Anthony represents clients (parents and grandparents) in disputes involving children including cases involving international child abduction.

He also deals with asset protection through pre and post nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements.

His clients include professionals, celebrities, business owners, entrepreneurs and clients from all backgrounds both nationally and internationally, in particular Spain, Hong Kong, USA and Mauritius. His extensive experience operating at the very top brings a wealth of experience with him.

Anthony conducts family matters in an intelligent, constructive and non-confrontational way to assist clients in achieving a quick and affordable solution to their family problems. When necessary, Anthony adopts a robust approach, whilst keeping clients aware of the financial and emotional costs of their dispute. Anthony’s ultimate goal is to ensure that your family disputes are resolved for the long term future of you and your family and he will always provide clients with a practical solution.

Anthony is a family man but when he is not taking his children here, there and everywhere he enjoys going to the gym, running, and playing golf. He also spends time watching his favourite football team and listening to music. Anthony is also a Parent Governor at Micklehurst All Saints Primary School, Mossley.

Anthony specialises in: Divorce (including high net worth, off shore and trust financial relief), Matrimonial Finances, Cohabitation Disputes (unmarried parties), Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Cohabitation Agreements, Private Children Disputes (including Child Abduction Work), Civil Partnership Dissolution, Civil Partnership Finances and Domestic Violence.

For more information, visit wordpress-343934-2225363.cloudwaysapps.com and www.resolution.org.uk

Anthony is based at the firms Head Office at Appleby’s Business Centre, Grasscroft. As with all clients, Anthony will see clients at either of the firms branch offices and where required, home visits can be arranged.To arrange an appointment with Anthony please contact us at 01457 76 1320 or e-mail him at anthony@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk

Claire Egerton

Claire heads up the firm’s residential property team.

Claire studied Law in her home city of Manchester also completing the final stage of her education at the College of Law, Manchester.

Claire completed her training contract with a large city centre firm and qualified as a solicitor in 2004. She then went on to make Partner within that firm within 3 years of her qualifying.

Since then, Claire has built a solid reputation within the real estate industry, both regionally and nationally, as a property expert. Claire has an excellent reputation for client relations and is well known in the newbuild development sector as a preferred Panel Solicitor for several of the major National Housebuilders. Claire is recognised as a leading Lawyer in Property and has enjoyed a long history of panel membership being the recommended solicitor for most of the major house builders across the UK.

Claire specialises in all Property related matters both residential and commercial and is described as a formidable Property Lawyer. She brings with her vast experience in handling volume new build transactional work including initial site acquisition and thereafter handling volume plot sales/purchases, as well as general real estate transactional and commercial agreement work.  Claire lives locally with her husband and three young children.  In her “spare time”, Claire is the Honorary Secretary for the local Amateur and Dramatic Society partaking both on and off the stage and in 2010 was honoured to be asked to be a Judge for the Talented Youngsters Awards in Manchester.

Claire is based at the firms Head Office at Appleby’s Business Centre, Grasscroft, OL4 4HH and by e-mail on Claire.egerton@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk or 01457 761320

Gianna Lisiecki-Cunane

Gianna studied Law at Liverpool University and completed her LPC at the College of Law in Chester.  She then went on to train at a national law firm in Leeds and qualified as a solicitor in 2008.

Gianna decided to specialise in family law and moved to a Manchester city firm where she worked for the next 11 years with many well-known Manchester Family lawyers and then became a partner.

She then began to work at O’Donnell Solicitors in January 2020 as she lives in Saddleworth and wanted to work closer to home.

Gianna specialises in divorce, financial matters arising from divorce, cohabitation disputes, child arrangement disputes, financial applications on behalf of children where the parents are not married and wealth protection which includes pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. She brings with her vast experience in handling complex cases including high net worth clients and cases with an international element.

Gianna adopts a pragmatic approach but is not afraid to fight for her clients when required.

Gianna is a member of Resolution, which is an organisation committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. She has also written various articles for legal publications including Lexis Nexis and Family Law Week and has broadcast on both radio and Sky News.

Gianna lives locally with her husband and two children.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, socialising and cooking.

Gianna is based at the firms Head Office at Appleby’s Business Centre, Grasscroft, OL4 4HH and can be contacted by email on gianna@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk or 01457 761320.