ONE of the newest members of a top legal firm’s 100-strong team has spoken of his delight at joining the company.

Nick Devlin, who along with wife Georgina has recently moved to Cumbria from East Anglia, says he had always hoped he would one day be a member of the Cartmell Shepherd family.

He first got a taste of the business during a work placement week – and almost six years later is now a member of the private client team.

Wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney are among the areas of law in which he specialises.

Nick, who is based out of the company’s Haltwhistle area office, said: “After finishing my law degree and Legal Practice Course, I started the search for an elusive training contract and that took me to East Anglia.

“Six years on and a set of personal circumstances led to an opportunity to relocate. It so happened there was a vacancy within the Cartmells team in Haltwhistle, and also a vacancy which suited my wife at another company.

“It was almost a case of it was meant to be. We were both successful in our applications and are now due to complete on a house.

“I had always thought that if I returned to Cumbria – I did my law degree at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle and my parents moved here in the mid-90s – that I would want to work for Cartmells.

“I love the ethos of the business, I like that there is face to face interaction with clients and you are able to build a relationship. And, of course, it is one of the biggest, most well respected legal firms in the county.”

Cartmell Shepherd has six offices across Cumbria and Northumberland; in Haltwhistle, Dovenby, Brampton, Penrith and two in Carlisle.

The company was recently named as a finalist in the Northern Law Awards and is a member of the UK200 group; an invitation-only collaborative of the country’s leading and most innovative companies.

Nick will be on hand to help clients in the wider Haltwhistle with all matters relating to wills, probate, powers of attorney and tax efficiency in estate planning.

He said: “I love the work I do because of the variety it brings, but perhaps more importantly because I get to meet, spend time and build relationships with the people and families who need my help and support.

“There are many legal firms in UK – and especially in the bigger cities, where private client work is very transactional and there is no face to face contact between solicitor and client.

“We’re very fortunate in that respect because almost all of our meetings are in person. We have an office on the high street, people pop in for advice, and that works really well.”

When he’s not at work, Nick enjoys long country walks with Georgina, the occasional session on his cello and performing with church choirs.

Cartmell Shepherd has offices in Rosehill Carlisle, Carlisle city centre, Brampton, Haltwhistle, Penrith and west Cumbria.

The company is a member of the innovative UK200 Group and is the only legal firm in Cumbria to be a part of the organisation.