Michelle Harding

Michelle is Head of Crime and specialises in Criminal Defence. Michelle joined Johnson Astills in 2005 as a paralegal. She secured and completed her training contract and qualified as a Solicitor in 2008 and as a Higher Court Advocate in 2011. Michelle was made Associate 2015 and then Partner, now Director, in 2017.

Michelle attended De Montfort University where she obtained her Law degree in 2003 and completed the Legal Practice Course in 2005.

Michelle is an experienced Higher Court Advocate, regularly providing representation at the Youth, Magistrates and Crown Court. Michelle also provides advice and assistance at the Police Station. She also advises in relation to all aspects of Prison Law on a private paying basis.

Michelle specialises in all aspects of Criminal Defence including:

• Public Order Offences
• Knife Crime
• Burglary and Theft
• Assault
• Drug Offences
• Offences against Public Justice
• Road Traffic Offences (including dangerous driving, careless driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drink driving, drug driving, driving whilst disqualified, exceptional hardship arguments, failing to stop after an accident, new drivers, totting up, speeding)
• Football related Offences and Football Banning Orders

Michelle also represents professionals in Fitness to Practise Hearings.

Professional Information

Duty Solicitor- Police Station and Magistrates Court

Member of the Solicitor’s Association of Higher Court Advocates (SAHCA).

Member of the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)

Legal 500 'Next Generation Partner' 2023 

Team: Crime Team; Fitness to Practise Team