Our People

Our dedicated team are here to provide you with any help and assistance you may need.

Michael Vincent

Managing Director and Solicitor

LLB (Hons) In Law - Lancaster University

Michael is the Managing Director of MJV Solicitors and qualified as a solicitor on 1 April 2011. He is responsible for the overall management of the firm and for overseeing its departments, solicitors and fee earners, working with the heads of department who manage their teams on a day-to-day basis.

Michael’s work focuses primarily on litigation, housing disrepair, leaseholder disrepair and spray foam insulation claims. He also has experience in commercial property, commercial litigation, landlord and tenant matters, wills and probate, and other areas of the firm’s work, although some of this is now carried out in a supervisory capacity.

Michael has approximately seven to eight years’ experience dealing with housing disrepair and leaseholder disrepair claims, but over 15 years’ experience of civil litigation matters. He advises and assists social housing tenants and long leaseholders with claims involving disrepair, statutory repairing obligations, breaches of lease, expert evidence, settlement strategy, court proceedings and enforcement. He also deals with more complex matters, including urgent applications, decant issues, injunctions, trials and applications arising where landlords fail to comply with repair obligations.

Michael also deals with spray foam insulation claims and has been involved in this area of work for approximately two years. His wider property and commercial experience includes commercial lease matters and business-related property transactions, often working alongside the firm’s conveyancing team.

As Managing Director, Michael supervises and supports the firm’s housing disrepair, leaseholder disrepair and conveyancing work. Rebecca Ferguson manages the housing disrepair and leaseholder disrepair teams on a day-to-day basis, while Eden Goldie heads the conveyancing team. Michael remains involved in supervision, strategy and more complex issues across those departments.

Michael’s approach is friendly, professional and direct. He aims to give clear, practical advice, help clients understand their options, and focus on achieving the right outcome in a cost-effective way. He believes that good communication, realistic advice and a clear strategy are essential to building trust and progressing matters efficiently.

Michael is currently accepting instructions primarily in housing disrepair, leaseholder disrepair, spray foam insulation claims and commercial property matters. He is also willing to discuss other matters where the firm may be able to assist.

Alan Vincent

Director and Solicitor

LLB (Hons) from Leicester University

Alan is a Director and Solicitor at MJV Solicitors. He qualified as a solicitor on 15 December 1978 and joined the firm when it was established in 2016.

Alan practises in the firm’s private client department, with his work focused on wills, lasting powers of attorney, probate and estate administration. Although Alan has dealt with a wide range of legal work during his career, including property and litigation matters, his current practice is limited to private client work.

Alan has considerable experience advising clients on wills, powers of attorney and probate matters. He has been involved in this type of work throughout his career, including enduring powers of attorney before the introduction of lasting powers of attorney, and now regularly assists clients with both property and financial affairs LPAs and health and welfare LPAs.

Alan supervises the firm’s private client department, which is a small team supported by Hayley Miles, Michael Vincent and Lanna Conboy, a solicitor based at the firm’s Blackpool office.

Alan assists clients with personal and family matters, including wills, lasting powers of attorney, probate and estate administration. He has particular experience working with elderly clients and families who need clear and practical advice when making important decisions about the future.

Alan’s approach is calm, friendly and professional. He talks clients through their options clearly, helps them understand the decisions they need to make, and supports them in reaching decisions they are comfortable with.

Alan does not deal with contested probate matters.

Rebecca Ferguson

Solicitor

LLB (Hons) In Law - University of Central Lancashire
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice - University of Central Lancashire

Rebecca is an Associate Solicitor in the Housing Disrepair team. She qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales on 3 October 2016. She has worked in housing disrepair and landlord and tenant matters for more than four years, and has broader litigation and claims handling experience.

Rebecca oversees the day-to-day management of housing disrepair claims. Her role includes supervising and supporting team members, maintaining quality and compliance standards, resolving complex issues, and working with clients, experts and housing providers to progress claims effectively.

Rebecca deals with a wide range of housing disrepair claims, including tenant claims against councils and housing associations, leaseholder disrepair claims, damp and mould, leaks, defective windows and doors, heating and hot water issues, expert evidence, settlement negotiations, issued court claims and enforcement of repair obligations.

Before focusing on housing disrepair, Rebecca gained broader civil litigation experience, acting for both claimants and defendants in areas including personal injury, industrial disease, holiday illness and financial mis-selling disputes. She now applies that litigation experience to housing disrepair and leaseholder disrepair claims.

Rebecca has particular experience with leaseholder disrepair matters, which can involve more complex legal and practical issues. Her approach is centred on communication, empathy and trust. She aims to ensure that clients feel listened to, supported and kept informed throughout their claim, while receiving clear advice and realistic expectations.

Eden Goldie

Head of Department

Eden is Head of the Conveyancing Department and has 13 years’ experience in conveyancing and property work. She manages a varied caseload of residential and commercial property transactions and also provides training and support to other members of the conveyancing team.

Eden deals with a broad range of conveyancing matters, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, transfers, remortgages, shared ownership transactions, new build properties, leases, and commercial property sales and purchases.Eden takes a communicative and hands-on approach to her work. She aims to maintain regular contact with clients and relevant third parties, including estate agents, to help transactions progress as smoothly as possible and to reduce stress for clients where possible.

Eden was shortlisted for Modern Law Conveyancer of the Year 2024.

Our People

Lanna Conboy

Assistant Solicitor

Law LLB (Hons) and Masters of Laws (LLM) - Lancaster University
Legal Practice Course - University of Law

Lanna is an Assistant Solicitor in the Housing Disrepair team. She qualified as a solicitor on 15 August 2025 and has worked in housing disrepair, landlord and tenant, litigation and claims handling for more than three years.

Lanna deals with tenant housing disrepair claims against councils and housing associations. Her work includes claims involving damp and mould, leaks, defective windows and doors, expert evidence, settlement negotiations, issued court claims and enforcement of repair obligations.

Lanna has experience reviewing evidence, preparing and responding to letters of claim under the Housing Conditions Protocol, analysing landlord responses, considering expert reports and schedules of works, settlement negotiations, Part 36 offers, directions, witness statements and trial preparation.

Lanna holds an LLB (Hons) and a Master of Laws from Lancaster University, and completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law. Her approach is helpful and understanding, and she aims to build strong working relationships with clients while providing clear, practical support.

Tamzin Akponwei

Assistant Solicitor

LLB Law - Lancaster University

Tamzin is an Assistant Solicitor in the Housing Disrepair team. She qualified as a solicitor on 3 November 2025 and has worked in housing disrepair, landlord and tenant, litigation and claims handling for more than three years. Her work is supervised by Michael Vincent.

Tamzin deals with tenant housing disrepair claims against councils and housing associations. Her work includes claims involving damp and mould, leaks, defective windows and doors, heating and hot water issues, settlement negotiations, issued court claims and enforcement of repair obligations.

Tamzin has experience across the claims process, including new client enquiries, pre-litigation work, litigation, and running her own caseload. She has experience with client onboarding, evidence review, letters of claim, the Housing Conditions Protocol, landlord responses, expert reports, schedules of works, settlement negotiations, Part 36 offers, court proceedings, directions, witness statements, trial preparation and costs.

Tamzin holds an LLB Law degree and an LLM in Legal Practice, including SQE 1 and SQE 2. She describes her approach to dealing with clients as compassionate.

Ellis Mason

Litigation Paralegal

Ellis is a Paralegal in the Housing Disrepair team. He has worked in housing disrepair for approximately five and a half years and currently works as a litigation sub-fee earner. His work is supervised by Michael Vincent.

Ellis has experience across different stages of housing disrepair claims, including new client onboarding, evidence review, letters of claim, landlord responses, expert reports, schedules of works, court proceedings and witness statements. He has worked on matters from the early stages of a claim through to pre-issue work and issued claims, and is also gaining experience assisting with breach claims.

Ellis has completed the CILEX Foundation Paralegal course and is a CILEX Accredited Paralegal. He takes a friendly approach to client care, listens to clients’ concerns and aims to provide clear advice.

Harneet Kaur Bains

Solicitor Apprentice

LLB (Hons) from University of Bristol

Harneet is a Solicitor Apprentice in the Housing Disrepair team and works as a litigation sub-fee earner. She has worked in housing disrepair, landlord and tenant and claims handling for almost three years. Her work is supervised by senior solicitors.

Harneet joined MJV Solicitors in October 2023 and has worked across different parts of the Housing Disrepair team, including new claims, sub-fee earner work and litigated claims. She has experience assisting with standard housing disrepair claims, leaseholder claims, breach claims, enforcement issues and reviewing leases.

Harneet has particular experience with leaseholder disrepair claims. She enjoys engaging with clients and is focused on helping clients achieve successful outcomes.

Alana Shearer

Pre-Litigation Paralegal

LLB in Law - University of Central Lancashire

Alana is a Pre-Litigation Paralegal in the Housing Disrepair team. She has worked in housing disrepair, landlord and tenant, litigation and claims handling for two years. Her work is carried out under the supervision of assistant and senior solicitors.

Alana assists with tenant housing disrepair claims against councils and housing associations during the pre-litigation stage. She also assists with tenant breach claims involving councils and housing associations.

Alana’s work includes client onboarding, evidence review, letters of claim, expert reports and schedules of works. She helps progress claims through the initial stages and liaises with clients and third parties as part of that process.

Alana obtained her law degree from the University of Central Lancashire in 2024. She describes her approach to clients as friendly, considerate, empathetic and professional.

Jane Willacey

Conveyancing Fee Earner

Jane is a Conveyancing Fee Earner in the conveyancing team. She has worked in conveyancing and residential property for two years, initially gaining experience as a conveyancing assistant before moving into a fee earner role.

Jane reports to Eden Goldie, Head of Conveyancing, and runs files under supervision while she continues to develop her experience. She manages residential property transactions from instruction through to completion, with support and supervision where required.

Jane currently deals with freehold and leasehold sales, transfers of equity, and is also developing her experience with purchase transactions.

Jane has particular experience with residential sales and transfers of equity. She has completed CQS AML training and is undertaking on the job and formal training.

Jane takes a professional, approachable and client-focused approach. She aims to ensure clients feel supported and kept informed throughout the conveyancing process.

Freya Steele

Conveyancing Paralegal

LLB in Law - Manchester Metropolitan University

Freya is a Conveyancing Paralegal in the conveyancing team. She has worked in conveyancing since 2025 and assists with a range of residential property matters under the supervision of Eden Goldie, Head of Conveyancing.

Freya supports the conveyancers by liaising with estate agents, management companies and the other side’s solicitors to help transactions progress efficiently. Her role includes assisting with freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, transfers of equity, drafting contracts and TR1s, and reviewing title documents.

Freya holds an LLB (Hons) from Manchester Metropolitan University. She aims to provide clients with clear and easy-to-understand updates throughout their property transaction, while maintaining a friendly and approachable manner.

Hayley Mars

Personal Assistant to the Managing Director

Hayley has expertise in most areas of Law with particular knowledge of Probate, Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence and Housing Disrepair. Also proficient in Legal Accounts.

Hayley always has an extremely good relationship with the Clients she deals with.  This is achieved by being open and honest with them, for the more vulnerable Clients she shows empathy and understanding.  With the more challenging Clients she always shows consideration and patience, has an excellent telephone manner and goes out of her way to ensure that the Clients are always kept updated, and any specific needs are met. 

Gill Waterhouse

Administration Manager

Gill joined MJV Solicitors in 2022 and has undertaken various roles within the firm as she has excellent organisational skills as well as being a great team player.

In her current role as Administration Manager she is at the forefront of future innovations and progression that the Company is striving to achieve.

Gill has been working in law and for solicitors’ firms for over 25 years and is an experienced administrator and manager who often assists on cases as and when required.

Vikki Evans

Cashier

Vikki joined the firm in June 2024, she is an experienced legal cashier who deals with all accounts related matters for both our Blackpool and Cleveleys based offices. 

Vikki has worked in a variety of Solicitors’ offices throughout Blackpool and Preston since leaving school in 2002. Starting as an office junior, hard work and determination over the years has resulted in her running the accounts department.  

Tamsin Barker

Personal Assistant to Rebecca Ferguson

Tamsin is Personal Assistant to Rebecca Ferguson in the Housing Disrepair team at the firm’s Blackpool office. She joined MJV Solicitors in March 2026 and provides administrative, secretarial and paralegal support to help ensure cases are progressed efficiently.

Before joining MJV Solicitors, Tamsin worked in legal support roles including New Business Coordinator and Conveyancing Assistant. She has experience supporting fee earners with residential property transactions, as well as reception, accounts administration and private client support.

Tamsin assists the Housing Disrepair team with client and file administration, helping to support the smooth running of cases and the service provided to clients.