The Team
Wendy Alison Bailey - Solicitor, Family Department
Qualified in 1993.
Completed her training contract with a firm in Barnsley.
Worked previously in Leeds and Rotherham.
A Family Law specialist dealing with all aspects of Family Law, including divorce, children, ancillary relief, cohabitee disputes etc.
Joined Best Solicitors in October 2006 as a Family Solicitor.
An advanced member of the Law Society Family Law Panel.
An Accredited Resolution Specialist.
A member of Resolution.
Wendy is a trained Collaborative Lawyer.
Previously sat on the Committee of the South Yorkshire branch of Resolution.
Stephen Taylor - Solicitor
Stephen is a family law specialist dealing with all aspects of family work including divorce, relationship breakdown, financial matters, Children Act applications and injunctions. He undertakes both private and legal aid work.
Stephen is a member of Resolution. He is an experienced advocate who adopts a client focused and constructive approach to helping clients achieve their objectives.
Stephen graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2002 and studied for a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Sheffield and graduated in 2003. He joined Best Solicitors as a trainee in 2004, qualifying as a solicitor in May 2006.
Jill Eddison - Legal Executive
Jill Eddison An extremely experienced Legal Executive.
Worked as a Legal Executive in Sheffield for a number of years.
Has a wealth of knowledge & experience in property matters.
Helen Shepherd - Solicitor, Criminal Department
Helen qualified as a solicitor in September 2001and has specialized in criminal defence throughout her career. In 2005, Helen joined BPP Law School and lectured in criminal law. Helen returned to practice and joined BEST Solicitors in September 2008. Helen continues to specialise in criminal law and deals with the entire spectrum of offences from murder to motoring matters.
Shetal Gudgeon - Solicitor, Family Department
Qualified in November 2003
Shetal specialises in all aspects of family law work relating to married, unmarried and same sex couples including problems with financial matters, children disputes and injunctions. She has also represented extended family members such as grandparents in children disputes.
Shetal is a member of Resolution. She works with an emphasis in assisting people in resolving their relationship breakdown during an often stressful and emotionally difficult time. Shetal is known for providing her clients' with clear and practical advice in order to achieve solutions to her clients' problems in an efficient and effective manner.
Shetal graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 1999 and completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Sheffield in 2001. She trained at a firm in Barnsley and then moved to a firm in Manchester for 5 years until returning to Sheffield.
Up until joining BEST Solicitors, Shetal was involved in a phone-in legal radio show to help keep the local community informed of their legal rights. She is also involved in local events such as completing the Legal Walk 2008 and 10km runs in Manchester.
Ben Strelley – Solicitor, Criminal Department
Ben graduated from Hull University in 2006 and completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Sheffield University in 2007.
Ben qualified as a solicitor in October 2009 having completed his training contract with Best Solicitors, which he started in September 2007.
Ben's interests lie within criminal law and he has qualified into the Criminal Defence team. Ben is an accredited duty solicitor and has experience in both minor and major matters.
Tom Tilbrook – Solicitor
Tom graduated from the University of Leeds in 2007 and then attended BPP in Leeds to undertake his Graduate Diploma in Law and LPC. Tom then completed his training contract at Best Solicitors before qualifying in September 2011. Tom has qualified into the Civil Litigation Department and has particular interest in contentious probate, personal injury and debt disputes.
Outside of work Tom has a keen interest in sport and especially Formula 1, rugby and football.
Martyn Wood – Solicitor
Martyn joined Best Solicitor as a Trainee Solicitor in September 2009.
He graduated from the University of Liverpool with a LLB (Hons) in 2006.
Martyn then travelled round Thailand, Australia and New Zealand during 2007-2008.
On returning to the UK Martyn completed his Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in Leeds in June 2009.
Martyn Wood is a family law solicitor dealing with all public law matters including Care Proceedings and International Child Abduction.
Martyn is a member of Resolution.
Ben Castle-Jenkins – Solicitor
Ben graduated from the University of Huddersfield in 2004, and completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in 2005. He qualified as a solicitor in 2007, and joined Best in March 2010. Prior to being a solicitor, Ben had experience as a scientist working in a laboratory.
Ben specialises in Family Law, and is a member of Resolution. Ben also undertakes high value and complex civil litigation, and insurance fraud cases.
Ben is a Solicitor Advocate (Higher Courts, Civil Proceedings), and can represent clients at all stages in the civil court process.
Ben has a keen interest in Rugby, Cycling, Martial Arts and Boxing.
