A former Chester City Councillor who began his legal career as a heavy end Criminal Defence solicitor in south-east London has joined the Criminal Department of one of the area's largest law firms.
Now a specialist Crown Court Advocate who lives in Coedpoeth, Henry Hills has been appointed by GHP Legal which has offices in Wrexham, Llangollen and Oswestry.
As a Councillor, Mr Hills served on the Housing, Planning, Finance and Personnel Appeals Panel committees of Chester City Council between 1990 and 1994.
Originally from South Wales, Mr Hills gained a BA Hons degree in Politics and Law in Bournemouth before taking a Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Work at University College, Cardiff, a Masters degree in Crime, Deviance and Social Policy at The University of Lancaster and completing his post-graduate studies at Staffordshire University Law School.
Prior to becoming a solicitor Mr Hills worked as a Probation Officer in SE London, Merseyside and Cheshire, and as a Social Worker (Child Protection) with Cheshire Social Services. He trained as a Solicitor with Peter Fernando and Co in New Cross, SE London, and subsequently worked as a Criminal Defence Lawyer in Walsall, Cheshire and North Wales.
Welcoming him to the department, Stephen Edwards who heads up the Crime team at GHP Legal said: "Henry brings to the GHP Legal Crime Team a wealth of experience. Recognised as one of the area's pre-eminent Crown Court Advocates, and with recent Court of Appeal experience, Henry's appointment will strengthen the firm's ability to service serious and heavyweight criminal cases."