Meet the Team
Our highly qualified team are all experts, each with their specialism and support team, and all looking forward to supporting you with friendly, professional advice.

Gerald Thorne
Director of Thornes, Head of Child Care Team
About Gerald
Having practised in Family Law for over 25 years his areas of expertise include:
- Disputes involving children (Residence, Contact, Grandparents rights)
- Domestic violence
- Disputes between Families and Social Services
Gerald’s expertise is helping families where their children have been removed by Social Services and taken into Care. Gerald has also spent many years assisting the victims of Domestic Violence.
Gerald is a Member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and is an Executive Member of the Black Country Domestic Violence Forum.
He is a keen cyclist and enjoys dog walking and socialising with family and friends.

Alison Westwood
Director of Thornes, Head of Private Client Team
About Alison
After qualifying in 1995, Alison joined Thornes in 2005. As a member of the Private Client Department she assists clients with:
- Wills and Probate
- Court of Protection and Inheritance Claims
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
Having a background in litigation and having worked in the Family Department for some years, Alison combines her people skills and litigation expertise to bring a sensible approach to a sensitive area of law.
Alison is the SFE accredited member at Thornes and was President of Wolverhampton Law Society 2016-2017. She currently serves as a Director on the board of a women’s charity.
In her spare time, she is a keen tennis player and enjoys singing with a local choir.

Ben Thorne
Associate Solicitor, Head of Family Team
About Ben
Following qualification at the Birmingham College of Law, Ben completed his training contract with the firm before qualifying as a Solicitor in 2011.
Ben specialises in Private and Public Law Children Proceedings including family disputes over Children arrangements and matters involving Child Protection and Children’s Services.
He is also a member of Children’s Panel approved by Law Society to represent Children and has lectured at Wolverhampton and Birmingham Universities on the Family Law Legal Practice Course.
In his spare time Ben enjoys spending time with his young family, running, fitness and has a season ticket to watch Wolves.

Tracy Davis
Director of Thornes, Head of Client Services and Property Team
About Tracy
Director of Thornes, Head of Client Services and Head of the Property Team
Tracy is a solicitor who qualified in 1998 and has experience in all aspects of residential conveyancing. She is also Law Society and CQS accredited.
Tracy has been a Director of Thornes since 1999 and previously specialised in Family Law but in later years has diversified to head the thriving Property Team.
She is a previous President of the Wolverhampton Law Society and now the Honorary Secretary for that Society. She is also Vice Chair of Governors at a local school and also Co-Chair of a local Forum for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Away from work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cricket, travel, walking, yoga and attending live music events. She is also a proud Wolves fan.

Lisa Ridge
Legal Executive, Matrimonial Team
About Lisa
Lisa is an experienced Legal Executive and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives specialising in matrimonial and family matters. Lisa’s impressive career background over the last 20 years has taken her to firms both in Birmingham and here in Wolverhampton. She joined the Thornes Family Team in August, 2017 where she works with our clients going through divorce. Lisa’s background includes experience gained in all areas of Family Law including:
- Matrimonial and Finance Matters
- Children
- Domestic violence issues
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to the gym, travel and photography as well as spending time with her family.

Stephen Sheldon
Solicitor, Property Team
About Stephen
Stephen gained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Manchester.
Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 1976 and has been in private practice ever since dealing with a variety of work over the years. Stephen now specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing.
He is a member of the Law society and CQS accredited.
Stephen loves all kinds of sport and has followed Walsall FC home and away all his life. Stephen has played crown green bowls for many years in local leagues and has been married to Marion for over twenty five years. Interests at home include gardening and walking his pet miniature schnauzer.

Amy Lawton
Associate Solicitor, Property Team
About Amy
Amy gained LLB Law 2:1 degree at the University of Sheffield. She went on to study for a Masters in Legal Practice (BPP Law School Leeds) and gained a Distinction.
With nine years in law, six years qualified as a solicitor, her specialisms are residential sales, purchases, leasehold, right to buy, re-mortgages, and transfers of equity.
Amy is Law Society and CQS accredited.
In her personal time she enjoys spending time with her young family and is keen on walking and keeping fit.

Paige Bowyer
Trainee Solicitor, Family Team
About Paige
Following graduation at the University of Birmingham and Wolverhampton University, Paige joined Thornes as a Paralegal in July 2018. Paige has an interest in Family matters and working closely with clients experiencing relationship breakdown and all the challenges couples face as result. Paige started the final stage of her formal training in June 2019.
Outside work Paige enjoys spending time with her friends and family, swimming and travel. She is also keenly involved at her local cricket club and enjoys both playing and spectating.

Paula Timmins
Business Manager
About Paula
Paula joined Thornes in the role of Business Manager in June 2014 having spent 30 years in HR and Business Management roles within private, public and 3rd sector organisations including running her own management consultancy for eight years.
Paula is responsible for the daily operation of the practice, marketing and employee relations.
Outside of work Paula enjoys her family and their Beagle, walking, supporting her local community and is a Director of a local preparatory school, provides student mentoring at a local senior school and is an active fundraiser at Wolverhampton Cricket Club and her local church.

Sue Ratcliffe
Legal Executive, Family Team
About Sue
Sue has worked in Family Law since 2011 and is an experienced Family Executive with specialisms in both Public and Private Law Children’s proceedings, including disputes over children arrangements and matters involving Child Protection and Children’s Services.
Outside work Sue enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, reading and crafts as time allows.

Harinder Kaur
Solicitor, Private Client Team
About Harinder
Harinder is a qualified solicitor and joined Thornes in September 2020. She has experience in Criminal, Matrimonial and Private Client work. Harinder particularly enjoys working as part of our Wills and Probate Team drafting wills to include care fee and tax planning and preparation and registration of Powers of Attorney work she thoroughly enjoys.
Harinder is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.
Outside of the office, Harinder is a member of the Parents Friends and Teachers Association at her local school and volunteers her time to help with all school events and gatherings. Harinder enjoys football, keeping fit, walking, travelling and spending time with her family

Gerald Thorne
Director of Thornes, Head of Child Care Team

Alison Westwood
Director of Thornes, Head of Private Client Team

Ben Thorne
Associate Solicitor, Head of Family Team

Tracy Davis
Director of Thornes, Head of Client Services and Property Team
About Gerald
Having practised in Family Law for over 25 years his areas of expertise include:
- Disputes involving children (Residence, Contact, Grandparents rights)
- Domestic violence
- Disputes between Families and Social Services
Gerald’s expertise is helping families where their children have been removed by Social Services and taken into Care. Gerald has also spent many years assisting the victims of Domestic Violence.
Gerald is a Member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and is an Executive Member of the Black Country Domestic Violence Forum.
He is a keen cyclist and enjoys dog walking and socialising with family and friends.
About Alison
After qualifying in 1995, Alison joined Thornes in 2005. As a member of the Private Client Department she assists clients with:
- Wills and Probate
- Court of Protection and Inheritance Claims
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
Having a background in litigation and having worked in the Family Department for some years, Alison combines her people skills and litigation expertise to bring a sensible approach to a sensitive area of law.
Alison is the SFE accredited member at Thornes and was President of Wolverhampton Law Society 2016-2017. She currently serves as a Director on the board of a women’s charity.
In her spare time, she is a keen tennis player and enjoys singing with a local choir.
About Ben
Following qualification at the Birmingham College of Law, Ben completed his training contract with the firm before qualifying as a Solicitor in 2011.
Ben specialises in Private and Public Law Children Proceedings including family disputes over Children arrangements and matters involving Child Protection and Children’s Services.
He is also a member of Children’s Panel approved by Law Society to represent Children and has lectured at Wolverhampton and Birmingham Universities on the Family Law Legal Practice Course.
In his spare time Ben enjoys spending time with his young family, running, fitness and has a season ticket to watch Wolves.
About Tracy
Director of Thornes, Head of Client Services and Head of the Property Team
Tracy is a solicitor who qualified in 1998 and has experience in all aspects of residential conveyancing. She is also Law Society and CQS accredited.
Tracy has been a Director of Thornes since 1999 and previously specialised in Family Law but in later years has diversified to head the thriving Property Team.
She is a previous President of the Wolverhampton Law Society and now the Honorary Secretary for that Society. She is also Vice Chair of Governors at a local school and also Co-Chair of a local Forum for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Away from work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cricket, travel, walking, yoga and attending live music events. She is also a proud Wolves fan.

Lisa Ridge
Legal Executive, Matrimonial Team

Paige Bowyer
Trainee Solicitor, Family Team

Stephen Sheldon
Solicitor, Property Team

Amy Lawton
Associate Solicitor, Property Team
About Lisa
Lisa is an experienced Legal Executive and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives specialising in matrimonial and family matters. Lisa’s impressive career background over the last 20 years has taken her to firms both in Birmingham and here in Wolverhampton. She joined the Thornes Family Team in August, 2017 where she works with our clients going through divorce. Lisa’s background includes experience gained in all areas of Family Law including:
- Matrimonial and Finance Matters
- Children
- Domestic violence issues
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to the gym, travel and photography as well as spending time with her family.
About Paige
Following graduation at the University of Birmingham and Wolverhampton University, Paige joined Thornes as a Paralegal in July 2018. Paige has an interest in Family matters and working closely with clients experiencing relationship breakdown and all the challenges couples face as result. Paige started the final stage of her formal training in June 2019.
Outside work Paige enjoys spending time with her friends and family, swimming and travel. She is also keenly involved at her local cricket club and enjoys both playing and spectating.
About Stephen
Stephen gained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Manchester.
Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 1976 and has been in private practice ever since dealing with a variety of work over the years. Stephen now specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing.
He is a member of the Law society and CQS accredited.
Stephen loves all kinds of sport and has followed Walsall FC home and away all his life. Stephen has played crown green bowls for many years in local leagues and has been married to Marion for over twenty five years. Interests at home include gardening and walking his pet miniature schnauzer.
About Amy
Amy gained LLB Law 2:1 degree at the University of Sheffield. She went on to study for a Masters in Legal Practice (BPP Law School Leeds) and gained a Distinction.
With nine years in law, six years qualified as a solicitor, her specialisms are residential sales, purchases, leasehold, right to buy, re-mortgages, and transfers of equity.
Amy is Law Society and CQS accredited.
In her personal time she enjoys spending time with her young family and is keen on walking and keeping fit.

Paula Timmins
Business Manager

Sue Ratcliffe
Legal Executive, Family Team

Harinder Kaur
Solicitor, Private Client Team
About Paula
Paula joined Thornes in the role of Business Manager in June 2014 having spent 30 years in HR and Business Management roles within private, public and 3rd sector organisations including running her own management consultancy for eight years.
Paula is responsible for the daily operation of the practice, marketing and employee relations.
Outside of work Paula enjoys her family and their Beagle, walking, supporting her local community and is a Director of a local preparatory school, provides student mentoring at a local senior school and is an active fundraiser at Wolverhampton Cricket Club and her local church.
About Sue
Following graduation Sue has worked in Family Law since 2011 and is an experienced Family Executive with specialisms in both Public and Private Law Children’s proceedings including disputes over children arrangements and matters involving Child Protection and Children’s Services.
Outside work Sue enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, reading and crafts as time allows.
About Harinder
Harinder is a qualified solicitor and joined Thornes in September 2020. She has experience in Criminal, Matrimonial and Private Client work. Harinder particularly enjoys working as part of our Wills and Probate Team drafting wills to include care fee and tax planning and preparation and registration of Powers of Attorney work she thoroughly enjoys.
Harinder is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.
Outside of the office, Harinder is a member of the Parents Friends and Teachers Association at her local school and volunteers her time to help with all school events and gatherings. Harinder enjoys football, keeping fit, walking, travelling and spending time with her family

Gerald Thorne
Director of Thrones, Head of Child Care Team
About Gerald
Having practised in Family Law for over 25 years his areas of expertise include:
- Disputes involving children (Residence, Contact, Grandparents rights)
- Domestic violence
- Disputes between Families and Social Services
Gerald’s expertise is helping families where their children have been removed by Social Services and taken into Care. Gerald has also spent many years assisting the victims of Domestic Violence.
Gerald is a Member of the Law Society’s Children Paneland is an Executive Member of the Black Country Domestic Violence Forum.
He is a keen cyclist and enjoys dog walking and socialising with family and friends.

Alison Westwood
Director of Thornes, Head of Private Client Team
About Alison
After qualifying in 1995, Alison and joined Thornes in 2005. As a member of the Private Client Department she assists clients with:
- Wills and Probate
- Court of Protection and Inheritance Claims
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
Having a background in litigation and having worked in the Family Department for some years, Alison combines her people skills and litigation expertise to bring a sensible approach to a sensitive area of law.
Alison is the SFE accredited member at Thornes and was President of Wolverhampton Law Society 2016-2017. She currently serves as a Director on the board of a women’s charity.
In her spare time, she is a keen tennis player and enjoys singing with a local choir.

Ben Thorne
Associate, Head of Family Team
About Ben
Ben specialises in Private and Public Law Children Proceedings including family disputes over Children arrangements and matters involving Child Protection and Children’s Services.
He is also a member of Children’s Panel approved by Law Society to represent Children and has lectured at Wolverhampton and Birmingham Universities on the Family Law Legal Practice Court
In his spare time Ben enjoy’s spending time with his young family, running, fitness and has a season ticket to watch Wolves.

Tracy Davis
Director of Thornes, Head of Client Services and Property Team
About Tracy
Tracy is a solicitor who qualified in 1998 and now has over 20 years experience in all aspects of residential conveyancing. She is also Law Society and CQS accredited.
Tracy has been a Director of Thornes since 1999 and previously specialised in Family Law but in later years has diversified to head the thriving Property Team.
She is a previous President of the Wolverhampton Law Society and now the Honorary Secretary for that Society. She is also Vice Chair of Governors at a local school and also Co-Chair of a local Forum for parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Away from work, Tracy enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cricket, travel, walking, yoga and attending live music events. She is also a proud Wolves fan.

Lisa Ridge
Legal Executive, Matrimonial Team
About Lisa
Lisa is an experienced Legal Executive and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives specialising in matrimonial and family matters. Lisa’s impressive career background over the last 20 years has taken her to firms both in Birmingham and here in Wolverhampton. She joined the Thornes Family Team in August, 2017 where she works with our clients going through divorce. Lisa’s background includes experience gained in all areas of Family Law including:
- Matrimonial and Finance Matters
- Children
- Domestic violence issues
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys going to the gym, travel and photography as well as spending time with her family.

Stephen Sheldon
Solicitor, Property Team
About Stephen
Stephen gained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB-University of Manchester). Prize in Evidence. Law Society Finals Distinction in Accounts.
Qualified as a solicitor in 1976 he has been in private practice ever since dealing with a variety of work over the years. Stephen now specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing.
He is a member of the Law society and CQS accredited.
Stephen loves all kinds of sport and has followed Walsall FC home and away all his life. Stephen has played crown green bowls for many years in local leagues and has been married to Marion for over twenty five years. Interests at home include gardening and our pet miniature schnauzer.

Amy Lawton
Associate Solicitor, Property Team
About Amy
Amy gained LLB Law 2:1 degree at the University of Sheffield. She went on to study for a Masters in Legal Practice (BPP Law School Leeds) and gained a Distinction.
With nine years in law, six years qualified as a solicitor, her specialisms are residential sales, purchases, leasehold, right to buy, re-mortgages, and transfers of equity.
Amy is Law Society and CQS accredited.
In her personal time she enjoys spending time with her young family and is keen on walking and keeping fit.

Paige Bowyer
Trainee Solicitor, Family Team
About Paige
Following graduation at the University of Birmingham and Wolverhampton University, Paige joined Thornes as a Paralegal in July 2018. With an interest in Family matters and working closely with clients experiencing relationship breakdown and all the challenges couples face as result, Paige started the final stage of her formal training in June 2019.
Outside work Paige enjoys spending time with her friends and family, swimming and travel. She is also keenly involved at her local cricket club and enjoys both playing and spectating.

Paula Timmins
Business Manager
About Paula
Paula joined Thornes in the role of Business Manager in June 2014 having spent 30 years in HR and Business Management roles within private, public and 3rd sector organisations including running her own management consultancy for eight years.
Paula is responsible for the daily operation of the practice, marketing and employee relations.
Outside of work Paula enjoys her family and their Beagle, walking, supporting her local community and is a Director of a local preparatory school, provides student mentoring at a local senior school and is an active fundraiser at Wolverhampton Cricket Club and her local church.
Message Us
Please get in touch below; we will be able to assist you in any questions, help or advice.
Call Us
01902 313311
Office Location
Lich Gates, Wolverhampton, WV1 1UA
reception@thornessolicitors.co.uk