Derby Hub member and leading law firm, Nelsons, has promoted three of its employees – two to Legal Director and one to Senior Associate.
Mary Gharmount and Gareth Protheroe have been promoted to Legal Director and Davina Charlton has been made Senior Associate. Together they have been with Nelsons for 16 years.
Mary has nine years post-qualification experience and joined Nelsons in 2013 when the company acquired Bakewells Solicitors. She said: “I had been a qualified solicitor for a year when Bakewells became part of Nelsons and I’ve enjoyed growing with them over the past eight years, during which time I’ve specialised in commercial property law and gained expertise in residential development, acting for both developers and landowners.
“Becoming a legal director is exciting, I particularly enjoy the client contact and development aspects of the role. I plan to continue looking after the team and our existing base of clients, while also forging new relationships to grow the real estate team in Derby.”
Gareth, who worked for seven years as a paralegal before qualifying as a solicitor in 2014, joined Nelsons in 2016.
Gareth, who specialises in children law, said: “I particularly enjoy conducting my own advocacy in court, where possible. My role gives me a real sense of achievement and ensures that I can provide a full service to my clients, empowering them and guiding them through the complex legal issues they face.
“Being promoted to a legal director has really shown how the firm values me as a team player and I’m looking forward to working more closely with the team going forwards and helping them to develop their skills, while maintaining our high levels of client care and service.”
Davina, who has eight years’ worth of experience working in private client law, joined Nelsons in 2018, after qualifying as a solicitor in 2016.
Speaking about what drew her to the company, she said: “I had attended one of Nelsons’ Fusion Legal seminars when I was a paralegal at a previous firm and admired the team’s expertise. Delving more into the workings of the firm, I could see its values very much mirrored my own.”
Following her promotion to Senior Associate, she added: “I thoroughly enjoy the client interaction I experience in this role and get satisfaction from helping clients through what can often be very challenging periods in their life.
“I’m looking forward to working with Helen Salisbury, partner at the Derby office, to take the team from strength to strength. I am building my professional network in the local area, and hope to continue developing my skills, advising on international wills and probate matters.”
Nelsons’ Chief Executive Stewart Vandermark said: “Mary, Gareth and Davina have proven their commitment to their respective fields as well as Nelsons, showing great promise for the future. I am delighted to congratulate them all on their promotions.”
Nelsons is a top 200 law firm that also has offices in Nottingham and Leicester. For more information, please visit www.nelsonslaw.co.uk.