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 our family law, Wills & probate, payroll/accounts, commercial property, residential conveyancing and commercial dispute resolution teams have all been recognised.
Bethany Corday - Family law
Bethany started at Stephensons in 2014 and qualified as a solicitor in the family team in 2019. She is a Resolution accredited specialist and deals with complex cases which have been included in Chambers and Legal 500. She has carried out a vast amount of work for local authorities, and has a strong reputation for her work.
Nicola Clayton - Family law
Nicola joined us as a solicitor in 2019 and specialises in care proceedings, private law children disputes acting for parents, extended family and children in care proceedings. Nicola is highly regarded externally and has received instructions in complex cases. She achieved Children Panel Accreditation in 2016 as a result of a robust assessment process and undertakes her own advocacy where possible.
Victoria Melluish - Family law
Victoria joined the firm as a solicitor in 2020. She acts for local authorities, parents and children in complex care proceedings. She is Children Panel accredited and undertakes advocacy, not just on her own cases but for many others in the team.
Carrie Smith - Payroll/accounts
Carrie joined the firm as a HR admin assistant in 2014. She very quickly proved herself to be a talented and a highly esteemed employee and moved into the payroll team. Since being in payroll, Carrie has shown outstanding determination in continuing to increase her knowledge and skill set and is now our resident expert on payroll legislation, expenses and all things payroll related.
Jessica Charnock - Commercial property
Jessica has been with Stephensons since 2012 starting as a graduate clerk dealing with new business, transitioning as a trainee solicitor and eventually qualifying into the commercial property team. She has developed into a very experienced commercial property lawyer. Jess has grown into an excellent and conscientious solicitor building up a great rapport with clients and providing support to the team with her knowledge.
Katie Mayren - Wills & probate
Katie joined the firm in December 2018 and qualified as a solicitor in June 2020. Since qualification, Katie has been a solicitor within the Wills and Probate department and has, more recently in 2023, expanded her knowledge and moved into Court of Protection (property and finance) whilst still retaining her probate cases. Katie is a very well respected and hard-working member of the department and her flexibility to deal with all issues is a welcome asset to the team.
Rebecca Fletcher - Residential conveyancing
Rebecca joined the Stephensons residential team in 2016. She manages a varied caseload and her own team which consists of a paralegal and legal assistant. Rebecca has been working towards qualification over the past few years qualified in March 2024. She is an ambassador of the firm, and has recently won 'Conveyancer of the Year' at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards.
Sophie Chilstone - Commercial & dispute resolution
Sophie started at Stephensons in 2021 and works in our commercial consumer department. She is responsible for landlord and tenant possession work, dealing with both private paying and legal expenses insurance cases. She is responsible for her own practice development and has exceptional customer service skills. She provides training to others and is a key member of the team.
Commenting on the eight new senior associates, Louise Griffiths 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, Bethany Corday, Nicola Clayton, Victoria Melluish and Carrie Smith - bottom row, Jessica Charnock, Katie Mayren, Rebecca Fletcher and Sophie Chilstone.