Christopher J Morton BA
Christopher graduated from Nottingham University in the mid 70’s and since that time has worked as a lawyer in private practice in the Pontefract and Wakefield areas specialising in Criminal Defence. He has Higher Rights in all criminal cases and in recent years has conducted most of the firm’s Crown Court cases from road traffic appeals at the lower level to trials involving the most serious criminal charges on the statute books at the highest.
Christopher has broad base of knowledge having worked in general practice for many years during which the Lord Chancellor appointed him as Clerk to the Tax Commissioners for the Inland Revenue for Pontefract which brought him into contact with many contentious issues involving the financial matters in taxation cases.
A keen sportsman, both as participator and supporter, Christopher has been a director at Pontefract Racecourse for over 20 years and is actively involved in the running and promotion of that sporting facility.
His ability to empathise with the difficult situations that clients often find themselves in is one of Christopher’s most valuable assets and, supplemented by his abilities as an experienced and competent Advocate, achieves a high level of success in the cases that he conducts.
Stephen Swan BA
Stephen moved from his native North East to attend the University at Leeds, qualifying as a solicitor in 1986.
Stephen worked in general practice in the Yorkshire area until setting up The Solicitors’ Chambers in 1999.
His primary speciality has always been in crime and has dealt with all manner of cases from speeding to murder.
Stephen is a Duty Solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate and regularly attends at the Crown court as well as maintaining his experience at the Police Station investigation stage. He also almost attends daily in the Magistrates Court.
When his family allow him time, Stephen is an enthusiastic sportsman and enjoys travel.
John Nixon
John Nixon graduated in Law at Leicester University and completed his legal training at Chester College of Law and then at the firm of Arthur Jackson & Co in Rotherham.
In 1982 John set up the firm of Hewison & Nixon in Featherstone before joining The Solicitors’ Chambers in 2004.
For almost 30 years John has specialised in Criminal Law and since 2004 has practised exclusively in that field.
John was a founding member of the Pontefract and Castleford Duty Solicitor Scheme and for many years was administrator of that scheme.
He has Higher Court Rights of Audience, has appeared to represent defendants in the Crown Court on a regular basis and has also appeared before the Court of Appeal in London.
In his spare time John is a keen musician and songwriter. He has been involved in the production of a number of CDs containing material either written by him alone or in conjunction with other musicians. He is a keen hill walker and recently completed a 230 mile trek from Fort William to Cape Roth.
Dan Smith LLB (Hons)
Dan qualified as solicitor in 2002 having gained his law degree and post graduate legal practice qualification at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Since qualification Dan has worked soley in defence work. He is a Duty Solicitor and Higher Courts Advocate he represents clients at the police station and to trial at the Magistrates' and Crown Courts.
As a solicitor he has a particular interest in defending road traffic prosecutions including speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, due care, dangerous and drink driving cases.
He has an extensive knowledge of defences and of presenting exceptional hardship arguments (with a very high success rate).
He gives free initial telephone advice in relation to these cases, and fixed fees are usually available for those who do not qualify for legal aid.
Dan was born and raised in West Yorkshire and lives locally with his wife and two children.
Sharon Whitfield
Sharon joined the firm in 1999 when she decided on a change of direction after a 12 year spell working in the probate department of a large South Yorkshire legal firm. She has specialised in preparing cases for Crown Court trial throughout her recent legal career.
In February 2004 she also qualified from Cardiff University as a Police Station representative and has gained extensive experience since then in police investigation cases.
She is married with a teenage son and enjoys reading, cooking and socialising.
Karen Kemp
Keren joined the firm in 2001
In 2005 she qualified as an Accredited Police Station Representative with Datalaw. Karen has advised and assisted clients at Police Stations throughout Yorkshire for a variety of offences including murder.
Karen has extensive experience in preparing Crown Court cases and assisting the Advocates instructed throughout the trial.
Outside work Karen enjoys socialising with friends and is an avid motor enthusiast.
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