Wilkes Partnership moves to support ongoing growth

THE Wilkes Partnership has supported its ongoing growth with the appointment of four new trainees and three newly qualified lawyers.

Charlotte Moore, Kate Barker, Matthew Smith and Sarah Richardson join the firm’s trainee programme in the business recovery, property, private client and commercial property teams respectively.

They follow in the footsteps of former trainees Lucy Ashplant, Charlotte Doyle and Kate Draper, who are taking new positions as newly qualified lawyers in the private client, business recovery and commercial litigation departments.

Mark Abrol, managing partner, said: “The Wilkes Partnership is committed to investing in talent and we’re delighted to be offering training contracts to Charlotte, Kate, Matthew and Sarah.

“Investing in the next generation of lawyers is key to the future growth of the firm, and we’re proud to say that we consistently retain our trainees thanks to the dynamic environment and broad spectrum of work we are able to offer.

“With this in mind, we want to congratulate Lucy, Charlotte and Kate on their appointments as newly qualified lawyers. Throughout their training contracts, they have all demonstrated the commitment to technical excellence, tenacity and drive to make excellent additions to the Wilkes team. We are delighted that the success of the business enables us to create these new positions and I look forward to working alongside them as the firm continues to grow.”

Where there’s a will there’s a legal assistant at HallmarkHulme

WORCESTER’S oldest law firm HallmarkHulme has appointed a new legal assistant to deal with an increasing demand for professionally prepared wills and lasting powers of attorney.

Robbyn Pole arrives at the Sansome Place-based practice following administration roles at HM Courts & Tribunals Service in Birmingham and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Miss Pole, pictured right with the firm’s partner Trish Venables, said: “An important aspect of my position at the CAB was building relationships with people and gaining their trust. I’m now developing those skills further by helping HallmarkHulme’s existing and prospective clients, explaining often complex issues to people of all ages in a straightforward and reassuring way.”

Partner and head of department Lynda Bragg-Walker said: “At HallmarkHulme, we have recognised that an increasing number of our clients wish to have wills and lasting powers of attorney prepared professionally and therefore Robbyn is a welcome addition to our team. She has her own caseload and is happy to see clients either in the office or at home, where they often feel more comfortable.”

Partner promotion at Wall James Chappell

STOURBRIDGE-based Wall James Chappell solicitors has strengthened its team with the promotion of Philip Chapman to partner.

Senior Partner, Jonathan Browne said: “Philip has been with the firm since 2009 and over the last six years has consistently proven to be an extremely good lawyer as well as having the ability to bring in work. We are delighted to acknowledge his skills and contribution through this promotion to Partner and are sure that he will thrive in this new role.”

A Notary Public and Cambridge post-graduate, Chapman (pictured) has wide ranging experience of all aspects of company commercial law advising both UK and international clients.

Prior to qualifying as a solicitor in Birmingham, Chapman worked for a number of multinational oil companies in London and obtained a Business Degree from an Ecole Superieure de Commerce in France.

He said: “I am delighted with the promotion which comes on the back of a great deal of hard work. I appreciate the support the partners have given me to develop my particular area of work and the opportunity to lead the company commercial department.”