Parnalls Solicitors marked a special occasion recently for employee Ben Mitchell as he officially qualified as a solicitor. At a presentation event, Directors of the leading Launceston law firm praised Ben for his hard work and commitment which has been supported by the company over a number of years.
Having attended Launceston College, Ben went on to study his degree in Law at the University of Portsmouth before achieving a distinction in his Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of the West of England. It was during his studies that Ben completed work placements at Parnalls before joining the company as a Paralegal in 2015. He was later awarded a two-year training contract with the law firm as a Trainee Solicitor.
As part of this training, Ben worked primarily in the Commercial Property team alongside Director Michelle Ody. As well as gaining experience in the company’s litigation, commercial and property departments Ben has developed his legal knowledge across a broad spectrum of areas including commercial, residential, agricultural and renewable property matters. He now also deals with property finance transactions together with partnership, company and commercial areas of law.
During his training Ben has worked on a range of large transactions including the completion of commercial, agricultural, renewable and residential sales, purchases and leases. More recently he has been involved in partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, business purchases and sales and other commercial matters in the local area.
Last autumn, Ben led on a project where leading Devon organic meat business, Eversfield Organic acquired The Well Hung Meat Company, completing the deal a day earlier than planned on 16 November, after instruction just two weeks previously.
Mark Parnall, Director and Head of Commercial and Conveyancing at Parnalls Solicitors stated that, “Throughout his time here at the company, the Directors and myself in particular, have been very impressed with his dedication to his studies and legal career. He has grown in knowledge and confidence and is a popular member of the team. Clients praise his steadfast approach to work and consider him to be a very safe pair of hands. We are delighted that he is qualifying after all his hard work.”
Parnalls Solicitors has a strong policy of supporting young people in their law career. These include Claire Wicks, aged 27, who works in the Residential Property team, who qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive earlier this year.
Jack Crosley, aged 23 and Gemma Blakely, aged 32 are both currently studying whilst working in the Litigation and Commercial & Conveyancing teams respectively at Parnalls Solicitors. Jack recently passed his Criminal Law and Criminal Litigation exams and Gemma has passed her Certificate in Land Law and Practice in Conveyancing as part of the CILEx Legal Executive qualification. The company also celebrated the long service of Maureen Rendle.
Picture left to right – Claire Wicks, Ben Mitchell, Gemma Blakely, Jack Crosley, Maureen Rendle and Kensa Hooper. Photo copyright Parnalls Solicitors