We are pleased to announce eight new senior associates from across the firm.
Senior associateship recognises an individual's sustained and outstanding contribution to the firm, and this year, eight colleagues from family law, clinical negligence, probate, finance, HR and CSC have all been recognised.
Amy Jones
Family
Amy is a member of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation scheme and has substantial experience in complex public law family cases, including where there are allegations of serious child abuse and non-accidental injury representing local authorities, parents, protected parties, extended family members and children.
Since qualification in 2010 Amy has practised exclusively in family law. She joined Stephensons in January 2021. Amy has a vast amount of experience in advising parents and children in complex care proceedings involving child neglect, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health issues, learning difficulties, sexual abuse and non-accidental injuries suffered by children.
Laura Owen
Clinical negligence
Laura is a solicitor within the clinical negligence department, and she carries a large, varied caseload comprising of complex amputations, orthopaedic injuries, fatality and oncology cases. Laura initially joined the firm in 2011 and was a qualified family solicitor, having qualified in 2005. In 2016, Laura retrained as a clinical negligence solicitor. In addition to managing her caseload, Laura assists in the training of graduate paralegals and legal apprentices within the team.
Lee Catterall
Finance
An experienced finance professional, qualified ACCA in 2006 with a degree in Business Enterprise. Lee has an excellent knowledge of all aspects of the firms finances, is a great business planner, has strong leadership qualities and has the ability to carry out strategic goal setting. He is an effective communicator across all levels with a dedicated focus to successfully drive projects to completion.
Lisa Smethurst
HR
Lisa develops, promotes, and delivers a comprehensive learning and development programme throughout the business. This is to ensure that all members of the business are compliant and have the training and development required to aid achieving business objectives and improving efficiency. It also promotes a culture of continuous professional development. Lisa was the first person in the UK to enrol on the L&D Apprenticeship, she qualified in 2021.
Lisa is now the main driver for employee engagement initiatives and has incorporated this into her role.
Pam Thompson
Clinical Negligence
Pam is a nurse professional who has been working within the clinical negligence department for 12 years. Prior to joining the firm, Pam was an adult general nurse with 22 years nursing experience and worked in a variety of specialties including general surgery, colorectal surgery, vascular surgery, upper gastro-intestinal surgery, breast surgery and urology surgery. She also had experience in palliative care and infection control and had for seven years been a Ward Sister.
Due to Pam’s extensive clinical experience, she is key in reviewing all new clinical negligence cases and she prepares detailed chronologies
Pam is now primarily responsible for the department’s new enquires.
Rachel Haywood
Probate
Rachel runs a full caseload of Court of Protection matters and she is studying for CILEX. The COP team comprised of just Jill Rushton and Rachel Haywood and so when Jill left the firm, Rachel stepped up and assumed a greater responsibility to ensure these valuable deputyship matters continued to be progressed and brought in significant fees for the firm. Rachel has since trained other solicitors in COP matters to expand this profitable type of work within the Probate department.
Stuart Bishop
CSC
Stuart has been a stalwart member of the CSC team holding roles of instruction taker for litigation, new business advisor for commercial, team leader within the legal helpline and latterly the LEI claims manager. Stuart has given great service and dedication to the firm in each and every one of his roles.
Rachelle Nuttall
Probate
Rachelle started with the firm in 2012 and following her training contract, she qualified into the probate department. Rachelle is studying to be STEP qualified and has recently become the manager of the team. Rachelle is very driven and in a short period of time has already implemented positive changes and expanded the team.
Commenting on the eight new senior associates, David Baybut, chairman of Stephensons said:
“All of those recognised this year have demonstrated exemplary commitment to their roles, the firm, their clients as well as their colleagues. I am delighted for each of them and wish them all continued success here at Stephensons.”
Photograph (from left to right) - top row, Lee Catterall, Rachel Haywood, Amy Jones, Lisa Smethurst bottom row, Rachelle Nuttall, Laura Owen and Pam Thompson.