Our People | A talented team of legal specialists

The Real Legal Team

Hayley Hodgkinson

Hayley is Head of the Conveyancing Department and has recently been appointed a Director. Her ethos is based on open communication with clients and providing clear practical and confidential advice.

Born and raised in Burnley Hayley has worked locally in the legal industry for over 16 years. Hayley spent a number of years working in the Personal Injury Department before furthering her career in the Private Client Sector, developing her knowledge in this complex area of law.

Hayley has completed 4 years of training and will soon reach Lawyer status, specialising in Private Client work. In her spare time you will find Hayley down at the gym and enjoying city breaks.

Geoffrey Ireland

Geoffrey has recently joined Real Legal as a Director. Geoffrey has well over 35 years experience as a Solicitor and has specialised in Criminal and Family Law. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the business. Outside of work Geoff enjoys spending time with the family and playing golf.

Diane Orrell

Diane Orrell joined Real Legal as a Legal Assistant in December 2019. She has previously worked at a number of local Solicitors. She has previously worked in the Residential Conveyancing department and the wills and probate department. Diane has extensive knowledge of Conveyancing working in the legal sector for over 15 years and assists greatly in post completion work.

Diane is a Burnley Fan and regularly attends matches. She also enjoys attending the gym and running and spending time with her family and dog.

Kasim Mukhtar

Kasim obtained an llb honours degree in Law From Preston University in 2002 and

after completing his training contract with Howarth Goodman and Knights Law

Solicitors he went onto specialise in conveyancing, handling residential sale, purchase, remortgage and transfer of equity transactions.

He is also an active member of the society of will writers and has attained a distinction on their wills and estate planning course. He can also speak Urdu and Punjabi as a second and third language.

Laura Bielby

Laura has extensive experience in client care and customer experience, always putting clients at the forefront of her career. Her ethos is to provide an efficient friendly service making clients feel at ease. In her spare time Laura can be found on days out with her little girl and going on family holidays in the sun.

Sophie Porter

Sophie has well over 10 years experience in the legal sector working for a leading Manchester law firm. Sophie has experience in commercial property, debt recovery , preparing bundles and assisting solicitors and fee earners at every level. In her spare time Sophie enjoys going on scenic walks with her family, yoga and going out to restaurants on the weekends.

Muhammad Karim

Muhammad joined Real Legal in November 2021 and is now a Trainee Solicitor in the Conveyancing Department.

Muhammad has experience in a range of matters relating to property sales, purchases, remortgages, transfers of equity and new builds.

He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a 2:1 in Law and completed his LPC at the University of Central Lancashire in 2021.

Muhammad loves travelling and considers himself to be a ‘massive foodie’. Fortunately for him, travelling allows great exposure to different cultures as well as new cuisines.He is an avid Football & F1 fan. He counts Scuba Diving, Bungee Jumping & Parasailing as notable recent experiences.

Sharon Grishakow

Sharon has practised as a Residential and Commercial Conveyancer for over 30 years, recently becoming part of the team at Real Legal.

Due to the expansion of the Commercial Department she is taking the lead in :-

Sale and Purchase of Business Premises such as retail premises, offices, shops, industrial units and warehouses;
Auction Packs – Preparation a Sale or Review on a Purchase;
Dealing with Commercial Mortgages and Bridging Loans;
New Leases;
Revised Lease to existing Tenants;
New Tenancy Agreement or revised tenancy agreements;
Surrender of Leases;
Lease extensions;
Land Sales and Purchases;
Islamic Mortgages

Unlike residential conveyancing, commercial conveyancing has far more complex issues involving planning, use class, stamp duty and vat, which all come into play during the process.

Sharon’s client’s benefit from her friendly, approachable, and reassuring manner.