Barcan+Kirby welcomes four Trainee Solicitors

Posted on03 October 2022

The law firm has appointed four new trainees to join the growing firm

Bristol law firm, Barcan+Kirby, continues to strengthen its team with the appointment of four new trainee solicitors. Courtenay Salway, Grady Hali, Jessica Bradley and Laura Brimson all started their training contracts in September 2022.

Grady Hali and Laura Brimson started their careers with the firm as Paralegals before taking up Trainee Solicitor contracts. They have both started their seats in the firm’s Family department.

Courtenay Salway and Jessica Bradley are new to the firm. Courtenay has previous experience as a Paralegal in child law and has now started her first seat in the Private Client department. Jessica Bradley, who has experience working with a charity to provide practical and emotional support to litigants, has started her seat in Clinical Negligence.

The trainees will undertake four seats altogether and get to experience the firm’s array of legal services whilst moving between Barcan+Kirby’s six offices. They will have the opportunity to shadow senior solicitors within a variety of specialisms, experiencing a varied client base in departments ranging from conveyancing and commercial services to contentious probate and family law.

The trainees will also benefit from the Barcan+Kirby Training Academy which was launched in March 2022 and provides an opportunity for budding lawyers and other trainees within the firm to share their experience, build relationships and receive training. The training covers expansive industry-relevant skills such as business development, marketing, finance and compliance.

Bill Willcocks, Managing Partner at Barcan+Kirby, commented on the appointments:

“Congratulations to Courtenay, Grady, Jessica and Laura on their appointments as Trainee Solicitors. Not only will our training programme provide them with a strong foundation on which to build a career in the legal profession, but it is also an integral part of the firm's success.

Trainees are given an advanced level of responsibility from the onset and the opportunity to work directly with clients on complex casework. We look forward to supporting them in their development over the next two years."

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS