Jonathan Mounteney, who founded the firm in April 2005, qualified as a solicitor in 1994 with Dickinson Dees Solicitors, the largest law firm on Tyneside. After moving to Manchester in 1995 he worked for Hammonds Solicitors, and, twelve months later, joined the Sony Group in Liverpool, heading the software publishing arm of its primary Playstation games developer. He returned to Manchester in 1998 to head Commercial Contracting for Co-operative Financial Services, before moving to Pinsent Masons Solicitors in 2003 to head its Manchester IT Unit.

He has a First Class degree in Physics (1990) from King’s College, London, a Masters degree in Electronics (1991) from Northumbria University, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law (1996) from Bristol University. Jonathan is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, a Member of the Institute of Physics, and an Associate of the British Computer Society.

Simon was admitted as a Solicitor in 1984 and has just under 30 years experience in the fields of Wills, Probate, Trusts and Property – over recent years Simon has developed his expertise into the area of tax planning and is able to advise on Inheritance Tax saving through the use of Trusts and carefully prepared Wills.

Establishing the trust and confidence of his clients has always been Simon’s priority and he takes pride in the fact that many of his clients over the years have thanked him not only for his knowledge of the law but, also, his ability to explain the intricacies of the law in a way that clients can more easily understand.

Simon is well known as a legal authority in the Greater Manchester area through the Property column he ran in the Manchester Evening News for several years. He has also been recognised for his contributions to the Trusts Discussion Forum and his public speaking on the topic of Wills and Estate Planning. Married with five daughters Simon lives in Cheadle. Outside of the office, his interests include running and keeping fit generally; following the rather mixed fortunes of Liverpool FC; and being part of a local church.

Richard Briggs qualified as a barrister in 1976. Until 1982 he worked in the company secretarial department of a large group of companies before moving to Trafford Park Estates PLC, a quoted property company, where he stayed until its takeover in 1998. By the time of the takeover he had been Deputy Managing Director for over ten years with responsibility for all legal matters, group finance, commercial and corporate affairs and human resources.

Richard then became an independent business adviser and in 2003, at the same time as being a part time director and company secretary with a family owned group of companies, joined the team at Hargreaves & Co. Working in all areas of the firm’s business, he has provided a client orientated service to individuals, small businesses and companies and specialises in all types of residential and commercial property work, together with the acquisition and sale of businesses. Richard is particularly skilled in the negotiation and preparation of business leases and is able to apply his many years of experience in this complex area of law in order to achieve the best results for his clients.