Gwent solicitor's "remarkable" rise to Partnership

A Gwent solicitor has been made a partner in law firm, Watkins and Gunn, after working for them since she was a teenager.

Sarah Williams, 31, from Newbridge, south Wales, first worked for the practice, which has offices in Newport and Pontypool, aged 15, when doing work experience, prior to completing her GSCEs. With her foot firmly in the door, she regularly worked for the firm during her holidays whilst completing her studies. She then formally joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2001.

Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2003 has since  rapidly climbed the career ladder , becoming the youngest ever associate and head of the Criminal Law Department of the firm at just 28 years of age. She has now become a partner.

Specialising in the field of serious crime, Sarah has also recently achieved the Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal) qualification enabling her to exercise rights of audience in the Higher Courts in all Criminal proceedings.

Sarah said: “I have really enjoyed working at Watkins and Gunn from the day I started. I feel I have grown with the firm and shared in all of its success over the years. Watkins and Gunn is the only firm I have ever wanted to work for. It is wonderful for me to think that I will now be involved in shaping the destiny of a firm committed to providing a world class service to all of its clients.  Achieving higher rights is also a huge milestone in my legal career. I can now represent clients in criminal proceedings in any court in England and Wales, including the Court of Appeal. This will be highly beneficial to our clients as it gives them continuity of representation as I can offer the full service from start to the finish.”

The Managing Partner of the firm, Clive Thomas, commented: “We are really proud of Sarah’s achievements which she thoroughly deserves. Sarah is a very talented solicitor and has dealt with an array of very high profile cases.”

“Sarah has shown remarkable loyalty and commitment to the firm and has thrived on the responsibility we have given her. I am sure that Sarah’s input, as a Partner, will serve to drive us on to even greater success.”

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