A leading Cheshire law firm has underlined its commitment to staff development by promoting an experienced property lawyer to partner as well as taking on a new trainee solicitor.
Residential conveyancing specialist Chris Illingworth, who joined Warrington-based Watsons Solicitors in 2020, will become a partner from 1 July, the same date that Hannah Dale, currently a paralegal, will start her traineeship.
Chris has more than 20 years of experience in property law in Warrington and Cheshire, having worked on the opposite side of many residential transactions to Watsons.
He said: “I came here hoping to prove myself and then make the step up to partner having been in a similar role previously, so I’m excited for the opportunity to start getting involved and to help push things forward within the conveyancing department as well as the wider firm, particularly with the use of new technology and IT.
“We have a relatively young partnership, but with a great deal of experience behind us, and intend to build on the good work that has been done by the people who have come before us.”
Hannah Dale, who joined in April 2020 with two years’ legal experience, works in the wills and probate department, the area of the law she intends to specialise in once qualified.
She said: “I’m very grateful to all the partners at Watsons. They’ve done nothing but support and encourage me in my time here.
“Although I’ve had to put the work in myself, they actively set out to give me a training contract to ensure I can continue to develop my career, and I’m very appreciative of that.
“I’m looking forward to getting new experience in other departments around the firm in the coming years which will help me develop my work in wills and probate.”
Watsons Solicitors, which has been established for more than 60 years, specialises in family law, employment law, wills and probate, personal injury and conveyancing.
The team of experienced solicitors each hold various accreditations and memberships of professional bodies relevant to their expertise, while the firm’s partners oversee all areas of work.
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Watsons Solicitors is a trading name of Watsons Solicitors Warrington LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales registered number OC386012 whose registered office is 13 Bold Street, Warrington, WA1 1DJ.
Watsons Solicitors Warrington LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority number 598547.
Watsons Solicitors
Warrington
Cheshire
WA1 1DJ