About Us

Supporting and Representing Yorkshire & Hull Solicitors

We are committed to providing support and representation to Our Solicitors through our Yorkshire Union of Law Societies . We believe together our voice is stronger

The Yorkshire Union "One Voice" - Support and Representation

The Yorkshire Union of Law Societies is the umbrella organisation for all the twelve local law societies in Yorkshire. We believe that solicitors in Yorkshire have a stronger voice when they speak together and the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies gives solicitors across Yorkshire that voice.

The Yorkshire Union of Law Societies supports its members, the twelve local law societies in Yorkshire, by representing the interests of its members with the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and other bodies, by promoting its member’s events and communication between its members and by responding to consultations on behalf of its members .

About Our President - Natalie Cosgrove

Natalie is an Associate at Switalskis Solicitors, specialising in Healthcare. Natalie is a Past President of Sheffield and District Law Society.

Natalie is a committee member of the Yorkshire Lawyers Support Trust. Out of law, Natalie is a Trustee for Sheffield Mencap and Gateway, and a volunteer for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. With any spare time Natalie is a keen long distance runner, and is in training for the Ride London 100 mile cycle ride.

 

The History of the Yorkshire Union

The Yorkshire Post reported in 1970 that

“In 1844, the idea of a union of all the law societies in Yorkshire received the cordial approval of the Leeds Society but, it was not until 1898 after concerted opposition to the Land Transfer Bill of 1897 had demonstrated the value of union, that the aim of a Yorkshire Union of Law Societies was actually achieved”.

The Yorkshire Union of Law Societies was formally established in 1900 with the membership comprising all the local law societies in Yorkshire. For the last one hundred and twenty years the Yorkshire Union has been representing the interests of solicitors in Yorkshire

The governance of the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies is the responsibility of the Council which comprises one representative from each local law society, the officers of the Yorkshire Union i.e. the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and the Immediate Past President and Council Members of the Law Society who represent the four Yorkshire Law Society Constituencies.

The Yorkshire Union of Law Societies meets on a quarterly basis at the offices of Leeds Law Society.

Meet The Team

Andrea Pashley - Vice President

Andrea is the Senior Partner of Malcom C Foy Solicitors Doncaster and the current President of Doncaster & District Law Society .

Diane Parker - Honorary Secretary

Although not sure how it has happened, Diane is not only secretary to the Yorkshire Union, she is also the secretary of the Yorkshire Legal Support Trust and of Doncaster and District Law Society.

During the day, Diane is the Head of Personal Injury at Atherton Godfrey LLP in Doncaster where she has acted for claimants for over 30 years.

In her spare time Diane is Brown Owl to the 24th Doncaster Brownies, the Division Commissioner for Doncaster East Girl Guides and you might have guessed, secretary of the Hesley Wood Guide House Management Committee.

Fiona MullaneFiona Mullane - Honorary Treasurer

Fiona is a solicitor specialising in Wills and Probate and practises in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. She is also a Notary Public.

Outside work, Fiona enjoys sailing, hiking, cycling and walking her black Labrador, Bramble.

 

David Barraclough - Immediate Past President

David is our Immediate Past President and played a pivotal role in the resurgance of The Yorkshire Union of Law Societies . He Is  past President of Leeds Law Society and sits on its Board of Directors .

David is the Under Sheriff of West Yorkshire .

He was recently elected as a Law Society Council Member and also sits on the Law Society Council Membership Committee .