President, Vice President and Deputy Vice President

Gaynor Williams is a Partner at Bennett Williams Solicitors, a practice in Birkenhead, Wirral that she co-founded in 2012. The firm specialises in fixed fee debt recovery, civil litigation, and insolvency. Gaynor acts for various sized businesses, from sole traders to PLCs.

Gaynor is a former finalist for the Woman Solicitor of the Year, and her firm has been recognised as ‘highly commended’ for diversity and inclusion at the Law Society Excellence Awards. The firm has also previously won Small Law Firm and Work in the Community Awards at Liverpool Law Society Awards.

Prior to being a Partner at Bennett Williams Solicitors, Gaynor worked for various commercial law firms in Merseyside. She started her career as a trainee legal executive and worked her way up to heading a debt recovery and civil litigation department. After qualifying as a Legal Executive, Gaynor continued her studies to become a Solicitor, on a part time basis. This route was much longer than the traditional route, and lasted over an 8-year period, however this enabled Gaynor to work full time at the same time as raising her 3 children and studying law.

Gaynor is aware of the financial difficulties many people encounter in Merseyside, and how this effects issues with health, debt and housing. Since 2013 Gaynor has acted as a Trustee for 2 local charities in Birkenhead that help underprivileged people, WEB (Women’s Enterprising Breakthrough) and Men Too. Gaynor is also an active supporter of the invaluable services provided by the various free law centres in Merseyside including Liverpool John Moores University Legal Advice Centre, Merseyside Law Centre and Vauxhall Law Centre. She is also a registered supervising Solicitor at Liverpool University Law Clinic. Gaynor is currently working with WEB and Vauxhall Law Centre to provide Birkenhead with a new free legal advice centre.

Involvement in the work of Liverpool Law Society started in 2017 when Gaynor applied to join the general committee. She enjoyed meeting fellow lawyers and broadening her knowledge and understanding in what Liverpool Law Society do for its members. Gaynor became Joint Honorary Secretary in 2019 and relished the opportunity to become an Officer of Liverpool Law Society, a Society that was established in 1827.

Now Gaynor is President, she is looking forward to meeting and inviting more members to join and enjoy the benefits that Liverpool Law Society has to offer. She also intends to continue to support the valued charities in the region. Gaynor’s chosen charity for the year is Byrne Avenue Baths (Reg charity no. 1172104), based in Rock Ferry, Wirral, a small community charity that is working to restore and maintain the baths that opened in 1933. In addition, the Grade 2 building is used for various community groups and charity events.

Outside work, Gaynor likes to run and takes part in in the Great North run every year, raising funds for various charities. She also enjoys travelling with her family and experiencing different cultures and customs.

James Mannouch is from the Wirral. He attended Calday Grange Grammar School and went on to complete his degree at the University of Liverpool. Law is James’ second career, having originally worked in advertising and retail.

James is a practising solicitor. He currently oversees the work of the Legal Advice Centre at the University of Law’s Chester and Liverpool campuses. This is enjoyable work and helps clients receive quality advice while students gain practical work experience.

Appointed as a Director of Liverpool Law Society in 2011, James previously chaired the Environmental Law Committee, Training Committee and Finance and Policy Committee. He currently chairs the Access to Justice Committee – promoting legal advice and assistance to those who cannot readily afford it.

Outside of work, James likes to play tennis. He is also a Director of the national law centre, Equality and Employment Law.

Sarah is an experienced specialist with 24 years PQE in Landlord and Tenant Law, Leasehold Law and Block Management, Housing and Environmental Law and Property Disputes. Sarah acts for Management Companies, Landlords and Freeholders, Developers, Private Landlords and Social Landlords. Sarah was awarded the Rupert Bremner Prize by Liverpool Law Society in 1995.

Sarah is an experienced external speaker and is a Director of the Liverpool Law Society. Sarah is a Trustee for Merseyside Water Rescue, a Charity in Liverpool she set up with the other Trustees to rescue people from the water in the Albert Dock and they are part of the National Flood Protection Scheme and provide support to other similar charities in the UK.

Sarah was a founder member of the Law Clinic at Liverpool University and was a Non-Executive Director of Mosscare St Vincent’s Housing Association.

Sarah was previously a qualified nurse practitioner with post-graduate qualifications in Intensive Care and Anaesthetics and Recovery. She is a qualified First Aider and First responder and has Power Boat 2 qualifications, Safeguarding and Radio Signal qualifications.

In her spare time Sarah enjoys sewing and upholstery, travelling and walking her 2 dogs.