Key contacts

Carter Thomas Solicitors was founded by Nichola Carter and Julie Thomas. The firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (‘SRA’) and also works in accordance with the OISC Code.

Key Contacts – Immigration Team
Nichola Carter heads Carter Thomas’ leading immigration team. A solicitor with 20 years’ experience, Nichola has been consistently ranked as one of the UK’s leading immigration lawyers in both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners since 2004. Regarded as one of the UK’s leading sponsor compliance experts, Nichola advises businesses, charities and education sector clients, including universities, independent schools and private colleges, that need sponsor licences. She also advises investors, innovators, entrepreneurs, business-persons and high net worth individuals seeking entry to the UK. You can find out more about Nichola here.

Nick Gore is a senior associate solicitor in our immigration team. Nick manages the team on a day to day basis and also leads our private client work. Nick has a keen interest in ensuring the UK attracts top international talent and has significant experience preparing successful Global Talent applications. He also advises businesses seeking sponsor licences, including under the Skilled Worker and Sportsperson routes, and defends companies against sponsor licence suspension action when needed.  Nick’s passion for this field of law began in 2014 whilst working with ASSIST, a Sheffield based charity supporting destitute asylum seekers, and subsequently the South Yorkshire Refugee and Justice Group. Nick completed a Masters in Law at the University of Sheffield along with the Legal Practice Course. Nick volunteers for the Here for Good charity and the renowned EU Rights Clinic based in Brussels. He is named in The Legal 500 which has previously recognised him as a ‘Rising Star’.

Irfan Ali is an associate solicitor in our immigration team who leads our business client work. Irfan has been practising personal and business immigration law for over seven years. His clients include businesses and charities from a range of sectors and individuals seeking leave to enter or remain in the UK for work and business purposes. He also advises on global talent, family life, long residence and numerous other applications and has dealt with complex matters including deprivation of citizenship. Irfan is experienced in advising and challenging negative Home Office decisions including representation in Appeals before the Immigration Tribunals and in Administrative Review and Judicial Review applications. Irfan graduated with a First Class Honours degree in law from the University of Sunderland and completed his Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University.

Naureen Malik is a solicitor in the immigration team who advises clients on a range of immigration law matters. She is particularly passionate about assisting clients with applications for British citizenship and under Appendix FM (partner and family-based route). In addition, she advises businesses on sponsor licence matters, sole representative applications and other work routes. Naureen studied an LLB (Hons) at the University of Bristol and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Sheffield, qualifying as a solicitor in 2003. Her non-immigration law experience includes real estate law, family law, employment law and personal injury law. Naureen’s charity work includes working with vulnerable women at the Asian Women’s Resource Centre which inspired her to pursue a career in immigration law.

Leanne Botterill, a solicitor in the immigration team, is experienced in a range of personal immigration matters including, but not limited to, Appendix FM, ILR and long residence applications. She has also successfully represented clients in the High Court and the Upper Tribunal including the notable case of R. (on the application of Abulbakr) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2020] 7 WLUK 513. Leanne’s corporate work includes assisting employers on successfully navigating the sponsor licence regime. A graduate of Nottingham Trent University and the University of Law, Leanne became passionate about immigration whilst volunteering as a General Advisor at Nottingham & Notts Refugee Forum in 2014 where she advised asylum seekers and refugees.

Jessica Walker, a senior legal associate in the immigration team, provides specialist advice to businesses needing to apply for a sponsor licence, including global organisations needing to move employees to the UK.  She also advises companies on compliance with the prevention of illegal working legislation and on measures to take if they have received a civil penalty. Jessica has prepared hundreds of successful applications for individuals seeking to live in the UK under the spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and fiancé routes. Jessica is a law graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University, gaining her degree in 2011 and she has been advising clients on immigration law matters since 2014. Before developing a career in immigration law, Jessica worked as a volunteer for the International Citizen Service in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Jessica is recognised in The Legal 500 as a ‘Rising Star’.

Key Contacts – Management and Client Support Services
Nichola Carter in addition to her immigration work, Nichola oversees the development and implementation of the firm’s strategy and direction. She is also responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and is a member of the firm’s management board.

Julie Thomas is the firm’s operations director and a member of the management board. She has dual responsibility for managing the business and enhancing the firm’s brand and profile, ensuring that the firm’s business growth strategy remains on track. A professional with a significant amount of experience in client services, business development and communications, Julie has worked with a number of leading brands, including magic circle law firms in her 20-year career. Julie gained her degree at the University of Nottingham.

Craig Thomas is the firm’s IT director and has responsibility for delivering robust and effective IT and communications systems. As a member of the management board, Craig also contributes to the development and implementation of the firm’s strategy and operational management. Prior to joining Carter Thomas, Craig spent over 20 years at a top 50 UK law firm delivering bespoke IT solutions. Craig graduated with a degree from Sheffield Hallam University in 1997.

Charlotte Hall has day to day operational oversight of the business in her role as practice manager. She oversees all new client engagement processes, accounts and data. She also has responsibility for organising the immigration team’s regular client oversight meeting and business development initiatives. Charlotte is a graduate from Durham University. She has been working in client service roles since 2012 and is an experienced management and HR professional.