Crane & Staples annual round up
We are nearing the end of an exciting year for Crane & Staples, as we wrap up our eightieth birthday celebrations and prepare for the festive season.
In November, we were delighted to find out that our Commercial and Property teams have been listed in the prestigious Legal 500. This means we are recommended in the most comprehensive guide of top Law Firms in the country. We are proud that two of our Partners, Bonnie Twiggs and Chris Brewis, were specifically mentioned in our review.
We have also continued to support the Welwyn Hatfield community this year by taking part in the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Francis Church. Our entry, ‘Celebr-eighty-ing Christmas with Crane & Staples’, was decorated with baubles displaying information about key legislation from the last eighty years. It was fantastic to see such a diverse selection of themed Christmas trees at the Festival, representing different groups, families and businesses from the local area. Congratulations to the winners and all who took part.
As always, Crane & Staples has also been active in the local legal community. After a successful year, Attia Hussain concludes her role as President of the Hertfordshire Law Society. Attia made history by becoming the society’s youngest, and first Asian President. Her efforts have helped to make the society more diverse and accessible, utilising social media to promote training and networking events, and encouraging new and existing members to actively engage with the society.
This year some of our staff members have moved on to new pastures. Associate Solicitors Jonathan Carr and Mandip Sumal left the Property department in the summer. After successfully completing her training contract with us, Jodie Sharkey began work at a firm in Lincolnshire. Anisha, Ellisha, Abroo and Annika all finished their stints as Legal Administrators, going on to complete their studies and take the next step in their legal careers. Lastly, in January, James Shaw will be leaving us to become a Barrister. James started as a young and eager Trainee back in 2013 and although we are sad to see him go, we are extremely proud of his achievement.
However, on a happier note, this year we have welcomed some fantastic additions to the team. In April Elizabeth Russell, who has been with us as a Legal Administrator and then a trainee solicitor qualified, and she is now working in our Employment & Dispute Resolution department. Many congratulations to Elizabeth on finally achieving her goal! Manish Patel and Burcu Belli both joined as Solicitors in the Property department, whilst Maxine Agombar and Mischa McKevitt started as Conveyancing Assistants. We also had an influx of enthusiastic young staff: Annabel Andreou, Katie Smits and Sara Dobson began their training contracts this summer, whilst Nadia Miah, Sabina Cassata and Lucy Nord-Harper became Legal Administrators. In the Family Department, Sophie Byrne joined as a Legal Secretary and Sonia Bennett started as a Paralegal.
Everyone at Crane & Staples would like to wish readers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We look forward to 2019, and our 81st birthday…!