Solicitor notches up 40 years of service at Halifax Legal Practice

He was born and raised in Halifax and joined Wilkinson Woodward as an articled clerk in July 1980 after graduating from the University of Liverpool and Chester College of Law.

Commenting on his 40-year milestone Mr. Scott said: “Since my early days as an articled clerk, I’ve witnessed enormous changes in the legal profession, particularly with regard to the use of technology and access to justice.

“Over the last four decades Wilkinson Woodward has grown as a firm in terms of size, expertise and capability but our focus remains on representing the interests of local people and local businesses.”

He qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and become a partner at Wilkinson Woodward in 1986. He became a director in 2012 when the firm incorporated following a merger with Huddersfield based Norcliffe & Co Solicitors.

Mr Scott spent the early part of his career representing clients in matrimonial, criminal, clinical negligence and personal injury cases, until the late 1980’s when his first care proceedings case landed on his desk.

The case concerned the care of a local child in which the state had intervened; Mr Scott was asked to represent the mother whose interests he believed were being poorly served.

The case was to prove a turning point in Mr Scott’s career and led to what was to become his lifelong specialism in care proceedings.

As a care proceedings specialist, Mr Scott has represented hundreds of Calderdale families over the years.

He has been a practicing member of the Law Society Children Panel since 1988 – only a handful of solicitors in West Yorkshire match his longevity in this regard.

Maureen Cawthorn, Managing Director of Wilkinson Woodward, said: “Robert’s reputation in representing the interests of families in care proceeding has been built over many years of case work. We’re delighted to be marking his fortieth year of service.”