A new associate solicitor has joined leading Cumbrian firm Cartmell Shepherd.
James Clark has joined the company’s Penrith office, bringing his expertise from the health and community sectors.
James trained and worked for legal firms in Carlisle and Hexham before joining Cartmell Shepherd.
In advance of training in law with the Open University and completing a Master’s at Northumbria University, James worked for the NHS in its business services function, registering doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals.
He has also worked in local government, focusing on child protection, and for Citizens’ Advice.
The roles have shaped his passion for the legal profession, he said, and added he wanted to help families and individuals and make a difference to their lives.
James said: “I am really excited for this client-facing role at Cartmell Shepherd. I love being able to sit down with people and know that I’m going to help them.
“I like to take a ‘belt and braces’ approach, so in addition to writing people’s wills, I can advise on things like setting up Lasting Power of Attorney or planning for inheritance tax too.
“By having that conversation now, it will save headaches later.
“We are here for everyone – from simpler estates with just a house or a bank account, through to the most complex situations. I can help them check the figures now, so they won’t be caught out in the future.
“And I am here to assist when people have lost a loved one too, handling probate sensitively and carefully.”
Deborah Flynn is a Cartmell Shepherd director and head of the wills, probate and inheritance team.
She added: “I am really pleased to welcome James to our established department, which is listed in the Legal 500 directory, recognising the company’s considerable expertise in this area.
“I am sure his warm and approachable manner, and hands-on experience in the community, will be welcomed by our clients and their families as we help them plan for the future.”
James lives in Carlisle with his husband Alanzon, a town planner, and their Labradoodle Eddie.
