Six solicitors from Flintshire, Wrexham and Chester are celebrating promotion with one of the region's top law firms, Walker Smith Way.
Three have become partners: Rhian Coppack, who works in the residential property department, commercial litigation specialist Anna Duffy, who joined the practice as an associate just 18 months ago, and Martyn Elliott, who works in the personal injury sector.
Rhian, 34, has specialised in residential property since qualifying in 1997.
She joined Walker Smith Way after training with a firm in Liverpool, having attended Aberystwyth University and then Christleton college of Law, Chester.
She lives in Hoole with husband, Mike, a former tour guide with Chester’s Deva Roman museum, who now works at a centre for adults with learning difficulties on the Wirral.
Rhian, a fluent Welsh speaker, said: “Walker Smith Way is one of the most reputable firms in the region with very high standards. I am delighted to be able to further my career with them in this way.”
Martyn, 31, also lives in Hoole, but works in Walker Smith Way’s Wrexham office. He joined them as a trainee in 1998 after studying law at Leeds University and going on to do his Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Trent.
He is based in Walker Smith Way’s personal injury department in Wrexham comprises 17 specialist solicitors, handling cases as diverse as road traffic accidents, accidents in public places or at work and spinal injuries. They also specialise in handling medical negligence claims.
He said: “I was thrilled to be taken on by Walker Smith Way and to be able to train with them. I did most of my training in the Wrexham office, then moved to the Chester base for a spell, but returned to Wrexham when the personal injury department was expanded.
“This area of law has always interested me. It is a way in which we can really help people through traumatic experiences.”
Anna, 40, has expertise in litigation, contractual disputes and asset finance work.
She lives with her husband Jonathan, a criminal barrister and two children, Megan, six, and Emily, two, in Little Sutton.
Also promoted are solicitors Thomas Pearson, of Flint, Tom Sutcliffe, of Upton, and Darren Hughes, of Marford, who have been made associates.
Thomas, 29, specialises in commercial freehold property law, secured lending and land transactions. He particularly enjoys working with large estates and complex land registrations.
“It’s like piecing together a jigsaw. It can be fascinating,” he said.
Born in Hong Kong, his childhood was spent in Guernsey. As a result he speaks French and English and also has a qualification in French law, having studied for a spell at Bordeaux University.
He has travelled widely, including to Nepal where he once competed in the elephant polo world championships.
Married to Charlotte, who works for Denbighshire County Council, they are expecting their second child this year.
Commercial law specialist Tom Sutcliffe was at Christleton College at the same time as Thomas. Both joined Walker Smith Way as a trainees. Tom’s area of expertise includes intellectual property, business sales and acquisitions.
Out of work, he is a keen footballer, playing for Chester Nomads, and he ran in this month’s London Marathon, achieving a time of three hours 24 minutes.
He lives in Upton with wife, Bree (corr) and their children Holly, one and William, two.
Darren Hughes, 41, was injured in a diving accident in which he sustained a spinal cord injury. He subsequently became the manager of Oswestry-based Transhouse, a specialist rehabilitation centre for people who have sustained similar spinal injuries. Whilst he was there, Darren came into contact with many personal injury solicitors, which is where his interest in law first developed.
Darren made a life-changing career switch to study law himself. He believes that his own personal experiences help him relate to client who have sustained serious injuries.
Darren lives in Marford with his wife, Victoria, and their young son.
Established 150 years ago, Walker Smith Way has offices in Chester and Wrexham. It employs more than 180 people and is one of the leading firms of solicitors in the region, successfully competing with firms based in the major conurbations like Manchester and Liverpool.
