FIVE talented Lincolnshire professionals will progress promising law careers in Grimsby, after successfully securing training contracts with the area’s largest law firm.
FIVE talented Lincolnshire professionals will progress promising law careers in Grimsby, after successfully securing training contracts with the area’s largest law firm.
Wilkin Chapman solicitors has offered two-year contracts to the aspiring solicitors, who all started as paralegals with the firm at its Cartergate headquarters. They will begin their training contracts over the next 24 months and have committed their futures to living and working in North East Lincolnshire.
In addition, and with a commitment to also bring talent into the area, the firm has offered training contracts to four more external candidates who will join Wilkin Chapman in 2022.
A former pupil at Grimsby’s St Mary’s Catholic High School until its closure, Kelsey Jerrard attended Franklin College before studying law at the University of Lincoln, where she graduated with First Class Honours.
She joined Wilkin Chapman in 2018 working in the recoveries department whilst studying the Legal Practice Course (LPC), and a Masters in Law part-time. Kelsey has recently been informed she has achieved a Distinction in this and will graduate next year. Alongside all of this, she is also enjoying life as a young mum.
“Wilkin Chapman offers an extremely supportive environment in which to work and I am delighted to have obtained a training contract. The firm has always been at the forefront in this region, competing with some of the major city law firms,” said Kelsey.
“As a town Grimsby has a lot of potential, more than some people realise. I am proud to build my career in the town I grew up in and I am excited to see what the future holds for me at Wilkin Chapman,” she added.
Sarah Johnson will begin her training contract when she returns from maternity leave next year.
Currently a paralegal within the recoveries team, Sarah completed her law degree at Nottingham Trent before joining Wilkin Chapman in 2016, after a short spell within her family’s business. A former pupil at Caistor Yarborough Academy and Franklin College, Sarah completed her LPC at Nottingham Law School and is delighted to be returning to work next September as a trainee solicitor.
“There is no doubt that this is what I want to do in the future, and with Wilkin Chapman in Grimsby,” she said.
For Tom Furneaux, the traineeship comes after eight years with the firm. The former Tollbar Academy student is progressing from his role as a Commercial Property Executive, after starting as a trainee legal executive in 2012. Having completed the CILEx Law School course and a Graduate Diploma in Law, he is now working towards finishing his LPC.
“This has offered me a route into law that I thought may not have been possible when I started,” said Tom.
“I have lived in Grimsby all my life. The town is an up and coming place, there is investment that is visible now both from the public and private sector and this regeneration is only a huge positive for the town. It will make it easier to attract business and talented professionals to the area,” he added.
Following a successful first-class degree in Criminology at the University of Northumbria, Hannah Gamble returned to her home area of North East Lincolnshire. Recognising Wilkin Chapman as a leader in its field, she entered the firm as a paralegal within recoveries. In turn, she converted her degree and will complete her LPC next June. A move into the probate team saw her future set and she now embarks upon her training contract.
“I take real pride in my work within probate, helping people at times in their lives when they are often most vulnerable, to be supportive of them. Grimsby is a good place to be, people you meet remember you and in turn the opportunities can come your way,” added Hannah.
Following an earlier career elsewhere within the legal profession, Laura Campbell is delighted to have commenced her training contract at Wilkin Chapman. Living in Skegness, Laura is based in Grimsby but has vast knowledge of the greater Lincolnshire area and works across the Wolds.
A Nottingham Trent law graduate, she completed her LPC whilst working full-time as a paralegal within dispute resolution in Grimsby.
“I relish the challenge that dispute resolution brings with it. Wilkin Chapman offers a full spectrum of legal services and in turn we undertake high-quality work on behalf of both new and established clients,” said Laura.
Wilkin Chapman senior partner Andrew Holt welcomed the appointment of the latest trainees.
He said: “When we look for our lawyers of tomorrow, we seek to support the most talented and we are extremely fortunate here at Wilkin Chapman to have some very good, determined and dedicated employees who wish to progress here with us. I look forward to working with them all.”
