A Russian lawyer is among the latest recruits to join the team of leading Cumbrian solicitors Baines Wilson.
Tatiana Gillan joined the firm last month as a trainee solicitor in the commercial property team.
She practised as a corporate lawyer in financial services in Moscow for 10 years before embarking on an English law degree.
She said: “I became involved in international deals, which are governed by English law, and that developed my interest.”
Tatiana was working full time in Moscow while studying remotely with the University of London. All her evenings and weekends were devoted to the course. The hard work paid off – she obtained a first-class degree.
Tatiana moved to the UK and completed a legal practice course at the University of Law prior to joining Baines Wilson.
She added: “As a trainee, I’m looking forward to working in different areas of practice but I’d like to qualify in corporate and commercial law, which is my speciality.”
Sean Logue, head of partnership said “It is great to be able to attract such a high calibre graduate to the area and we are delighted that Tatiana has joined the team.”
And Heather Bottomley, of Poulton-le-Fylde near Blackpool, has joined Baines Wilson’s employment team as a solicitor after completing her training contract at a national law firm and qualifying in September.
A criminology graduate of Liverpool John Moores University, she went on to do a graduate law diploma there and then a legal practice course at BPP University in Manchester.
She said: “I had intended to go into criminal law but found it wasn’t what I imagined it to be. When I studied employment law as part of the legal practice course, I knew straight away it was what I wanted to do.
“Baines Wilson is a great place to progress my career, as I am joining an experienced team who take a very proactive approach to employment law and finding the right solutions for clients. It is a very supportive environment and I have a clear path for career progression”
Heather is based at the firm’s Lancaster office.