It has been a year of celebration for a number of Farleys’ partners as they have reached landmark years of service with the firm.

Senior partner Michael Corrigan, who specialises in personal injury and general litigation cases, and Paul Schofield, head of the firm’s nationally renowned special casework unit have worked at the firm for 30 years each.

Michael and Paul first met at St Mary’s College in Blackburn, and after completing their legal studies, joined Farleys as trainee solicitors.

Michael, said: “There have been a number of changes to the legal industry in the past 30 years, which I believe Farleys has adapted well to. Most notably for me was the introduction of no win no fee personal injury claims, which made the civil litigation field extremely competitive.”

Farleys has changed significantly in the past 30 years, with the opening of new offices in Accrington, Burnley and Manchester and additional premises in the centre of Blackburn and at Shadsworth Business Park. We have also introduced a number of new services, including personal insolvency, actions against detaining authorities and commercial litigation.

I believe that it is the expertise, loyalty and long service of so many members of staff, not only at partner level, which has ensured the firm has successfully evolved and continues to be the firm of choice for so many businesses and individuals across the North West.”

During his time with the firm, Paul has been named a North West leader in the field for crime and a UK leader for criminal fraud by the Chambers legal guide. He was also granted Higher Rights of Audience in 2006, which allows him to represent clients in the Higher Courts without a barrister being present.

Company law partner Debbie King has also recently marked ten years with the firm, after first being introduced to Farleys when she and her parents used Farleys’ conveyancing department to buy a new house!

Debbie initially worked on general commercial and commercial property cases before helping to develop a dedicated corporate department specialising in company takeovers, sales, restructures, joint ventures and mergers in 2003.

A number of other partners have worked at the firm for long periods of time. Chris Porter has been at Farleys for 28 years, Stephen McNeill, Andrew Church-Taylor and Kieran O’Connor, 24 years, Bernard Horne, 22 years, Ian Liddle, 18 years, Des Draper and Jonathan Bridge, 16 years, Paul Corrigan, 12 years and Antonia Love, 11 years.

To speak with a Solicitor at Farleys Solicitors LLP please contact us by e-mail or call us now on 0845 050 1958.