A solicitor with a passion for the extreme sport of distance running has landed her ideal role at top legal firm and network partner, Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors in a part of the country she loves.

Krystal Garnett talks about what she’s so excited to begin her new job, saying, “Cartmell Shepherd has such a good reputation, they are held in such high regard, I know they are one of the best firms to work for.

“They are clearly known for their expertise and their strength in depth across the team, with them being a larger firm. But they are also known for being a friendly team.

“From other people I know in the profession, but also from those in other professions, and friends, anyone who has dealt with them speaks extremely highly of them.”

Krystal, a private client solicitor, will be based from Cartmell Shepherd’s Penrith office, and like all at the firm will have the ability to work from home during the coronavirus outbreak.

Cartmell Shepherd moved fast to ensure that all the tech needed was in place for their teams to work from home if and when required, so it’s business as usual for clients old and new, their expert advice more relevant than ever in these fast-changing times.

Penrith is perhaps the ideal place for Krystal to be based, not just because she lives near Kirkby Stephen which is so handy for the office and her clients, but because the surrounding countryside is ideal for her to pursue her passion for running.

She explains, “I took up running six years ago, and started with road running, and completed my one and only road marathon – Brighton Marathon – in 2016. Since then I’ve got into trail and fell running and particularly ultra distance running (which is anything above marathon distance) and I’m signed up to take part in the Lakeland 100 in July so hopefully it will go ahead. ”

Krystal and her partner Richard Moreland, who works at Ast in Penrith, are members of Howgill Harriers running club. Three-year-old dog Megan also loves joining Krystal on her runs. Born in New Zealand, Krystal moved to Britain with her Welsh/Australian parents when she was young and grew up in North Wales. She studied at Keele University and then at law college in Chester, a city where she started out her legal career. Attracted by the great outdoors, Krystal then moved to Cumbria and has worked as a private client solicitor for Thomson Hayton Winkley in Windermere for four years.

“I came to Cumbria because of the outdoors and the lakes and because I thought if I love it here I will hopefully meet some like-minded people. I have been really lucky the way things have worked out. I love my work, I love living here, and I did indeed meet like-minded people! Now I am really looking forward to starting work with Cartmell Shepherd, being based at Penrith near where I live, and getting to know clients old and new. It’s obviously slightly strange in that I am starting a new job in the middle of the coronavirus situation. But Cartmell Shepherd are excellent at communicating and making sure we are following all the latest health and safety advice to keep our clients, and colleagues, safe and because we have the ability to work from home it’s very much business as usual in the way in which we can support all our clients.

“At whatever stage of life, people are always needing the reassurance and expert advice which Cartmell Shepherd provides. But it somehow seems even more important right now to have that knowledge and expertise at the heart of the local community, and I am looking forward to helping all our private clients in the Penrith area.”

Peter Stafford, managing director of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “We are delighted that Krystal is joining the business and adding her expertise to our private client team. Anyone who lives or works in the Penrith area who needs expert legal advice will benefit from having Krystal’s experience and knowledge on the doorstep, in the heart of the community.”