THE director at Parnalls Solicitors in Launceston, Katherine Scott Flashman Kitson, formerly Parnall, is celebrating 20 years at Parnalls this year, having started at the firm in January 1996.
Katherine grew up in East Cornwall. She attended Oxford University, where she gained a first class degree in Law.
After attending Law School she returned to the West Country, initially training and working in Plymouth, before joining Parnalls.
Katherine trained, and has worked, as a litigator throughout her legal career and is now heading up the ‘Litigation Department’ at Parnalls, where she conducts various types of litigation work.
Katherine’s principal speciality is accident claims, whether it is road traffic accidents, accidents at work, slipping or tripping, accidents involving products, industrial disease or medical negligence. She also handles all employment matters, criminal work and other civil and commercial disputes.
Katherine said on hitting her 20-year milestone: “I can’t believe I have been here for 20 years! I don’t feel that old, but I do feel enormously privileged to have worked in the county where I was born and grew up and loved my whole working life.
“I feel greatly privileged to have met and dealt with all the clients that I have, in terms of getting to know them, understanding the facts and circumstances of their cases and being able to pursue their cases to successful conclusions.
“As a lawyer you have a unique insight into people’s lives and you develop a unique relationship with them, which I find both humbling and hugely rewarding.
“When clients come to me, something has gone wrong and they come to me with a view to trying to rectify that negative situation. My job is to try to turn a negative into a positive, so that when a client leaves they feel justice has been obtained, and they can look back on the situation in a more positive light and move on with their lives.
“This is never going to be easy for the client or solicitor but I truly believe it can be achieved. To me this job is all about the people. I always try to give our clients 100% and treat clients in the way I would wish to be treated myself if the boot were on the other foot!”
Katherine conducts her own advocacy in the various courts and tribunals throughout the county and beyond. She is a fearsome and forceful advocate, presenting her clients’ cases without fear and ensuring the best possible outcome for the client.
Katherine added: “As I say, I can’t believe it has been 20 years already, but I hope I will be able to do another 20 years, continuing to serve the clients of Parnalls, continuing to work alongside my fellow directors and the loyal and committed staff we have, in continuing to fight our clients’ corners when they need help.”
Senior director Mark Parnall said: “When you are in trouble, you want Katherine on your side. She is a formidable litigator with no fear and a strong sense of duty and commitment to Parnalls’ client base.”