Bootes

Eugene Esterkin C.E.O. qualified as a solicitor in 1983 and in 1986 ventured out on his own as a sole practitioner. In 1989 he merged his small but successful practice with Boote Edgar & Co to form Boote Edgar Esterkin. Eugene has specialised in all aspects of mortgage and finance company based work since 1983, both contentious and non-contentious acting for many finance companies and financial institutions. In addition he had a varied practice in commercial litigation. He is a founder director of the Association of Short Term Lenders.

Qualified as a solicitor in 1996 following being awarded the Stephen Heelis and Sweet & Maxwell Law Prizes. Gary heads Bootes’ Litigation Department, specialising in finance and property litigation (including professional negligence). Gary has undertaken trials, injunctions, search & seizure hearings (TGS v The Bug.Com), costs applications and Court of Appeal cases. Gary’s clients have included financial institutions (mainstream and non-mainstream), public limited companies and government departments. Gary is a devoted commercial litigator. Gary considers that the key to being a good commercial litigator is having the ability to maintain commercial awareness at all times.

James qualified as a solicitor in 2004 spending the first part of his career in London before re-locating to the North West in 2008. James heads Bootes’ Property Department, specialising in commercial property and mortgage finance with a background in residential conveyancing. James has worked in property for over 15 years and has amassed a wealth of experience in different areas working with a range of clients from individuals to SMEs to multi-million pound corporations, including a major high street bank and one of the largest drinks retailers in the world.

Susan qualified as a solicitor at the firm in 2000 and over the last 20 years has gained a wide range of experience in property transactions, mortgage finance and regulation, and employment disputes, with particular emphasis on finance and property related litigation. Susan’s track record for the firm’s clients is excellent including success at the Court of Appeal and other forums (including the Financial Ombudsman Service and HM Land Registry). Susan is the primary contact for a number of the firm’s financial institution clients assisting in court related matters.

Qualified as a solicitor in 1996. Simon spent the early part of his career as a criminal lawyer. Simon moved into the city centre & civil law in 1998 and since then has developed an enviable reputation as a commercial dispute resolution lawyer. Simon has acted for a number of large property companies in connection with complex lease disputes including matters relating to break-clauses; dilapidations and Section 25 proceedings. Clients of the firm often consult Simon during the early stages of a matter with a view to avoiding the escalation of an issue and achieving a commercial resolution.

Michelle has worked for Bootes for over 20 years and deals with a broad range of commercial litigation matters. Michelle specialises in mortgage enforcement related matters in both the regulated and unregulated finance sectors to include residential and commercial properties. Michelle also attends at Court on a regular basis dealing with requests from Courts outside of the United Kingdom jurisdiction.

Rhiannon joined Bootes as a law graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University in October 2018. Having shown great work ethic during the initial years with the practice Rhiannon was given a training contract and qualified as a solicitor in 2023. Rhiannon works as a fee-earner in the Bootes’ Property Department. On a day-to-day basis, Rhiannon undertakes a mix of property finance work, acting for a UK Finance registered mortgage lender in relation to residential and commercial property bridging finance and development loan finance. Rhiannon also acts for one of the largest non-mainstream lenders in the United Kingdom in connection with sale property transactions (including dealing with the complexities of staircasing provisions).