Criminal Defence

Marc Pollard is Head of Criminal Defence and has a vast amount of experience in Criminal Law working in the courts service for a number of years prior to joining Williamsons, and has now been part of our defence advocacy team for over 10 years.

Marc has represented clients alleged to have committed the most serious offences, including murder, rape and drug trafficking.

Marc has a wealth of knowledge and works closely with barristers on Crown Court cases with defendants charged with offences such as the ones listed above.

Known for his attention to detail and high level of client care, Mr Pollard is often recommended to defendants from previous clients.

Outside of Williamsons, Marc is a keen cricketer and enjoys socialising with friends and spending time with his family.

Bill has over 30 years experience in dealing with all nature of cases within the criminal justice system.

Bill is A Consultant Solicitor in the Williamsons Defence Advocacy department specialising in crime. Over the years he has dealt with hundreds of such cases in many courts around the country.

In addition to his specialism in crime, Bill is frequently instructed in road traffic matters and regulatory work. This involves defending individuals, businesses and companies in investigations and prosecutions brought against them by a whole host of government agencies such as HMRC, HSE, DEFRA, Environment Agency and Local Authorities.

He is a duty solicitor (court and police station) and a Higher Rights Advocate. He is immediate past Chair of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association ( 2012-2015 ). Bill has been one of the key figures in the fight to save legal aid in the UK. He remains an active member of the Committee.

In 2015 Bill was awarded the Legal Aid Lawyer of the year. In the same year he was shortlisted for the Law Society Excellence awards for Legal Personality of the Year. Since that time, he has been elected as a member of the Law Society’s Council and he also sits on the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee and Access to Justice Committee. Bill is also an appointed Commissioner on the Bach Commission looking into Access to Justice.

Bill and the Defence Advocacy team work around the clock. By far the largest in the region, the department has six experienced solicitors and four accredited police station representatives together with support staff.

Bill has a keen interest in a range of outdoor activities whenever work permits.

Mike has a wealth of legal experience having qualified as a Solicitor in 1996.  He has a sympathetic and understanding approach to clients enhanced by life skills gained through a varied employment history undertaken before his chosen career in the law.  This included work within the food industry, factory production work and a brief spell in the military.

Since qualification he has specialised in and dedicated his career to criminal defence work over the last 22 years.  This has encompassed all areas of criminal work from high profile criminal cases to road traffic offences.  He is Police Station Accredited and an established qualified duty Solicitor.

He has a breadth of adversarial experience undertaking daily court work on behalf of his clients for whom he is passionate about securing the best outcome.  This is reflected in positive client feedback.

Outside of his career he has a passion for sport and enjoys keeping fit and spending quality time with his family.  Of late this seems to be taken up by transporting and watching his two teenage sons play for local rugby teams.

Andy has over 20 years experience dealing with all nature of cases within the Criminal Justice System.  

Andy started his career at the Crown Prosecution Service and has conducted criminal defence work as an Accredited Police Station Representative for 15 years.

He has dealt with a number of high profile cases representing clients who have been accused of murder and importation of large amounts of Class A drugs, travelling to Holland to conduct enquires and record statements.

In addition, Andy’s other roles include supervising Crown Court cases and liaising with Counsel.

When not at the police station, Andy enjoys local sport and is a keen golfer.

Emma graduated from Northumbria University in 2014 with an English Literature Degree, before gaining a police station accreditation from Cardiff University in 2017.

Emma has represented clients at the Police Station for a wide range of offences, varying from low level assaults and public orders, up to murder, rapes and robbery, with everything in between. Emma attends our Hull Crown Court, assisting Counsel. She assists in the progression of cases as well as attending conferences and taking instructions from clients.

Emma also prepares cases for the Crown Court, including sentences and trials. Emma will meet with witnesses, take statements, do sight visits as well as instructing experts in order to help aid any defendant with their defence.

Emma is approachable and understanding in nature, and ensures clients are kept up to date.

In her spare time Emma is a keen traveller and loves experiencing different cultures and ways of life. Following university she travelled to Vietnam and taught English allowing her to gain valuable life experience. She also enjoys spending time with her family and socialising with friends.

Liberty graduated from Hull University in 2022 with a law degree, before gaining her police station accreditation from Cardiff University in 2023. She is currently undertaking her master’s degree and the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE’s) with BBP University and is due qualify as a solicitor in early 2025.  

Liberty joined Wiliamsons in the Criminal department in 2020 and has assisted with a range of matters. She often attends both the Magistrates and Crown Court to assist with taking clients instructions and facilitating their case.

Liberty has represented clients at the Police Station for a range of offences, varying from attempted murder and rape, to shop theft and assaults, and everything in between. Liberty prides herself on being empathetic and understanding, and ensuring clients are understanding of the position they are in, especially in such stressful circumstances in a police station.

In her free time Liberty enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family.

Richard has worked as a specialist in criminal defence work in Hull for the past 26 years.

Richard enjoys dealing with clients within all aspects of the criminal justice system from the police station to Magistrates and Crown Court, with a particular focus on trial advocacy.

He is accustomed to dealing with serious and complex cases involving phone analysis and forensic evidence, together with serious drugs offences.

He is particularly proud of his ability to discuss difficult and sometimes sensitive cases in an open and practical way so that clients understand a process which can at first seem intimidating or confusing.

Outside of work Richard is a massive fan of rugby league and is an avid collector of vinyl records from the 1970’s to the present day.

Ian has worked as a specialist in criminal law for over 30 years.

Ian initially worked in West London before moving back to Yorkshire in the late 1990s. In 1999 he was the one of the first Defence Solicitors in the local area to acquire Higher Rights of Audience allowing him to represent clients from the police station to the Court of Appeal.

He has conducted trials in the Crown Court and successfully appeared before the Court of Appeal when appealing sentences imposed at the Crown Court.

He is particularly skilled in conducting trials where points of law arise and expert cross examination of police and other professionals is required.

Ian has been a mainly long-suffering season ticket holder at Hull City for many years and enjoys live music of all genres.

Matthew began working in criminal law in 1998.

He has worked in Hull for a number of Criminal firms and joined Williamsons in 2022.

He qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Legal Executives in 2008 and became a Chartered Legal Executive Advocate (with rights of audience and enrolled on the duty solicitor scheme) in 2009.

He has experience of dealing within all aspects of the criminal justice system from the police station to Magistrates and Crown Court, including road traffic matters, POCA cases and very serious cases such as Murder.

He can often be found at Hull Magistrates Court or Clough Road police station dealing with all manner of clients and preparing cases to ensure a favourable outcome.

Outside of work Matthew is a fan of travelling, running and biking and attending live music events.