The Partners are delighted to announce that Jack Stewart was promoted to Partner with effect from 1st January 2023.
The Partnership Team comprises: Jennifer Carpenter, Melanie Pratlett, Shoshana Goldhill, Richard Booth and Jack Stewart.
Christine Gee, our Wills & Probate specialist paralegal in Sawston office celebrates a significant birthday this weekend.
Happy birthday Christine!
We won’t give away your age except to say it has an 0 in it.
100 years ago the first woman was admitted to the Law Society of England & Wales.
In fact the following momentous achievements for women all happened in 1922:
• Dr Ivy Williams was the first woman to be called to the Bar in May 1922. She did not practice as a barrister but became the first woman to teach law at an English university.
• Helena Normanton became the first woman to practice as a barrister in England. Helena was called to the Bar in November 1922 and went on to become the first female counsel in cases at the High Court of Justice, and the first woman to obtain a divorce for a client.
• Carrie Morrison became the first woman admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in December 1922. Maud Crofts, Mary Elizabeth Pickup and Mary Elaine Sykes also passed their Law Finals Examination at the same time but Carrie was the first to complete her articles and be admitted to the Law Society Roll.
The fight for equality in the legal profession actually started decades earlier. It was in 1878 that Janet Wood became the first woman to complete a law degree in the UK. Even then women were only permitted to take a ‘Special Exam for Women’ which was offered as an alternative to the men’s degree exam.
Some 100 or more years later the fight for equality in the legal profession continues and every year all women in the profession celebrate new milestones for equality and diversity.
• In 2017 Lady Hale was appointed the first woman President of the UK Supreme Court.
• In 2018 the Supreme Court saw its first female-majority panel hear a case – with Lady Hale, Lady Black and Lady Arden sitting as three out of five judges to hear the case re D.
• In 2019 Elizabeth Johnson became the first female chartered legal executive to be appointed a judge.
At Adams Harrison we are proud of our balance of male and female leaders
In December 2022:
• The firm is owned by an all-female partnership, comprising Shoshana Goldhill; Melanie Pratlett and Jennifer Carpenter. Other partners include Richard Booth and, as of 1st January 2022, we welcome Jack Stewart as a partner.
• Equality and Diversity is integral to our working practices and recruitment plans
• As at December we are made up of:
• Six female and four male qualified lawyers
• Two female unqualified lawyers
• One female and one male trainee solicitors
• One female practice manager
There are more achievements to be made for equality and diversity in the legal profession and we are excited to be part of the journey.
Sarah Bruce acted for a client in Haverhill with regard to probate matters. The client said
“I also wanted to say thank you for all your work you have completed for me over the last two years in relation to both my parents. It has been an emotional and challenging time and I am grateful to you for helping everything go very smoothly in the circumstances.”
Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy and can feel overwhelming especially if you are responsible for dealing with the legal and financial aspects of their estate. Depending on the circumstances you may need to go through probate, which can be a challenging process at a very difficult time. Sarah Bruce, who works in our Haverhill and Saffron Walden offices, can help you through the process. We also have Leanne Mayes in our Haverhill office, Christine Gee in our Sawston office, or Melanie Pratlett, Head of Wills & Probate, who works mainly in our Saffron Walden office.
Congratulations to Leanne Mayes who celebrated 20 years’ service with Adams Harrison on Friday 16th September.
Leanne works in our Haverhill office and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in our Wills & Probate Department.
Congratulations to Christine Gee who celebrated 25 years working with Adams Harrison and before that Webb & Partners (who Adams Harrison took over in 2008).
Christine has a Specialist Paralegal Diploma in Wills & Probate and works in our Sawston office.
Sarah Murrell, our Saffron Walden receptionist celebrates 15 years
Actually, Sarah joined the firm in 1998 which makes it 24 years but she did have a brief sojourn and then rejoined the firm 15 years ago.
Congratulations Sarah and we hope you will stay for another 15 years or more!
The partners of Adams Harrison are delighted to announce that Hayley Ford has joined the partnership. Since 1st January Hayley has become a partner in the business.
Hayley has been a solicitor in the private client department at Adams Harrison for over seven years. She obtained a Master’s degree from the University of Cambridge before completing her Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Law School and the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, London.
Hayley specialises in preparing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, registering Enduring Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work and administering estates. Hayley is based in our Saffron Walden office but is available to advise clients at our other offices.
Hayley is a qualified Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), holding a diploma in Trusts and Estates and a diploma in Advising Vulnerable Clients (which she passed with a distinction) from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). TEPs are internationally recognised as experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience.
Rebecca Monk with the bouquet provided by the partners to congratulate her on completion of 10 years service with the practice.
Becky is based in our Accounts Department and is also our go to lady for all our in-house IT queries.
Good luck and very best wishes to our Emma Laidlaw, Legal Executive who starts her maternity leave today following her office baby shower yesterday.
