Nottingham Law School reveals new head of Legal Advice Centre
Cartwright King director, Laura Pinkney, has been appointed as head of the Legal Advice Centre at Nottingham Law School (NLS).
The news comes as the Centre says it has exceeded £2.5m in compensation and recovered benefits for clients.
Pinkney, who takes up the position in January, is a director and operational board member at Cartwright King and is also the current president of the Nottinghamshire Law Society.
She originally joined Cartwright King as an intern in 2002 and has extensive legal practice management and strategic planning experience, overseeing the operational management of more than 200 staff across 18 offices. She specialises in serious fraud and regulatory cases and is also the head of Cartwright King’s crime and immigration departments.
The Legal Advice Centre acts as a ‘teaching law firm’ and is fully regulated as an Alternative Business Structure by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. It works closely with local firms, advice agencies, voluntary sector organisations and schools to offer legal support to the local community and develop pro bono opportunities for Nottingham Law School students.
Dean of Nottingham Law School, Professor Janine Griffiths-Baker, said: “Laura has already had an exceptional legal career and is bringing a wealth of experience with her, as well as an extensive network of contacts within the legal profession on a local and national level. She will be taking the helm of a unique and successful service – in the last four years we have seen a 91% increase in enquiries and requests for support which means our Legal Advice Centre is assisting more individuals, organisations and businesses than ever before.”
Pinkney said: “The Legal Advice Centre plays a vital role in inspiring the next generation of solicitors and barristers and provides students with unique opportunities to develop their technical and practical skills. The Centre also provides access to justice to those who are unable to afford much needed legal advice and I have seen first-hand the client testimonials praising the advice and support of the students, which is often given during difficult and life changing times. The impressive statistics speak for themselves and I look forward to continuing and developing the excellent work being undertaken by the Legal Advice Centre.”
