Stockport Law Society quiz

A group of paralegals and trainees attended the Stockport Incorporated Law Society Quiz last week and it was lovely to see such a huge turnout!

I’m slightly disappointed to admit that the “B Team” didn’t win this year but at least we didn’t come last!

It was a great night out and wonderful to mingle with other Stockport based firms.  Congratulations to O’Neill Morgan who won the Quiz……maybe next year for us……we had better dust off those encyclopaedias!

I am thrilled to say that QualitySolicitors Abney Garsden won three awards at the Manchester Legal Awards on Thursday night!  I wish to start this blog by saying a big congratulations to Susan Leach, who won Legal Executive of the Year, Peter Garsden, who won Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year and a huge congratulations to the whole team for winning Small Firm of the Year!

There is a genuine feeling of excitement throughout the firm.  It is always an honour to win awards like this.  The environment around the firm is always positive but awards like this naturally give everybody a lift! 

It was great to meet other legal professionals from a variety of firms and is always fantastic to see everybody dressed up and in the mood to celebrate!  Everybody loves a bit of sparkle and these events are definitely that! Congratulations to everybody who won an award on Thursday night and we hope to see you again next year. 

Hello !

I started work at Quality Solicitors Abney Garsden (known previously as Abney Garsden McDonald Solicitors) in September 2011. I joined the Child Abuse department as a Paralegal and worked as an assistant to a Senior Litigator. This was my first role in a law firm. It was definitely an interesting department to start work in. I was drawn to QS Abney Garsden as I had always envisaged working in an area of law where helping people was paramount.

I was given great hands on experience from my very first week at the firm. I accompanied a trainee solicitor to take a statement from a new client. Approximately a month after I started at the firm I was able to see client’s on my own both in the office and in prison. Prison visits are always an experience…..!

As well as meeting with clients, I have been able to draft witness statements, instruct medical experts and instruct Counsel. I have also been fortunate enough to be able to attend an important and difficult trial.

I started my training contract in July 2012. There are four trainees at the firm which means there is always somebody available to lend a supportive ear and guide you through the steps of being a trainee, whether that be Professional Skills Courses or help completing the trainee work experience diary.

I have recently moved in to my second seat in the Personal Injury department and am looking forward to new challenges and experiences working in general PI. I have so far been able to draft court documents, instruct counsel and medical experts. I am one of three trainees who make up the First Contact Team, which was implemented to deal effectively and efficiently with new client enquiries in the PI and Family departments.

It’s great to work at a firm like Quality Solicitors Abney Garsden. There are approximately 25 people in the firm which means everybody knows you and there is a real ‘team spirit’. Most of the assistants sit together which means we all learn a great deal from each other and the social scene is definitely thriving! It’s great to work in an environment where everybody is happy to help with any query.

It isn’t all hard work, as a young legal professional I have been encouraged to get involved with events outside of the firm. I have recently become a mentor for the College of Law and look forward to sharing my experiences as a trainee with an LPC student. I have attended networking events run by Stockport Law Society and Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group. I have also been fortunate enough to represent the firm, alongside my colleagues, at regional and national awards ceremonies. I enjoy taking part in opportunities outside of work and hope this continues!