Raworths LLP, North Yorkshire’s leading firm of solicitors has appointed Legal Executive Selena Hinds as a partner of the firm under new regulations which came into effect on 31st March 2009. These allow qualified lawyers other than solicitors to be made partners in a solicitors’ practice. As the new rules only came into force at the end of last month, Selena’s promotion is one of the first in the UK.
Selena joined Raworths in 2003 having previously worked for Nelson & Co and Pinsent Curtis Biddle (now Pinsent Masons) in Leeds. She is head of the firm’s Probate, Wills and Trusts Unit.
Carmelita Ardren has also been appointed partner and is a solicitor and head of the Family Law Unit at Raworths. Carmelita specialises in divorce, ancillary relief and children’s matters. She studied law at Liverpool John Moores University before joining Meikles in County Durham. This was followed by a spell at Read Dunn Connell in Bradford before joining Raworths in 2001. She is a member of the Law Society’s specialist Family Law Panel.
Managing partner, Christopher Butterworth says, ‘We are delighted to have appointed Selena and Carmelita, who both richly deserve this. We are also very pleased that the new Regulations have provided the opportunity to promote Selena. Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives undergo rigorous training to achieve their qualifications, and it is entirely appropriate that their abilities to be involved in the running of solicitors’ practices are now recognised. These two appointments are important developments in our Private Client Team and recognise the depth of our ‘home-grown’ talent.’
