Newcastle firm Major Family Law has gone west, opening a second office in Carlisle and adding a Cumbrian-based solicitor to its growing team.

The new office– at the Warwick Mill Business Village – is the firm’s second after 13 years of increasing success across the north of England.

Managing Director Joanne Major said:

“Heading west is a very natural progression for us. Carlisle is only a 45-minute drive from our offices in Ponteland. For many years we’ve represented Cumbrian clients from across the county – working in both the Newcastle and Carlisle courts.”

The firm’s new office is accompanied by new hire Katie Wright, who brings a wealth of legal experience to Major Family Law. She joins from a senior position at another law firm in the Cumbrian region, where she worked with many families in the farming sector.

Katie is a creative lawyer, renowned for her ability to find solutions to legal problems and challenges. She has earned a reputation amongst clients for her empathy and conciliatory approach to family disputes.

Katie is accredited by Resolution, a legal organisation which promotes a non-confrontational approach to family law, and she is also a trained collaborative lawyer. Collaborative law is an approach to legal disputes which emphasises negotiation and out-of-court settlement.

Katie commented:

“I am excited to be part of the team’s rapid expansion and look forward to being part of a network of top-quality lawyers at Major Family Law. When I heard about the plans that Joanne and the team have for the Carlisle office, it was clear how committed the firm is to serving the residents of Carlisle and indeed those right across Cumbria with essential family law services.”

Joanne Major added:

“I’m delighted to welcome Katie to our 25-strong team, which includes 14 family lawyers. We are really looking forward to all the possibilities that will grow from our new Cumbrian acorn. Yes, this is just the beginning – we are actively recruiting and looking to grow the Cumbrian team soon.”

In addition to Katie, the firm also welcomed junior solicitor Stacy Williams in September last year, after she completed her legal training at the same Cambrian firm as her new colleague. Stacy says of her new role:

“Joining Major Family Law felt like the natural progression for me, I am now getting to build my knowledge alongside some of the most skilled, talented and forward-thinking lawyers in the North East.”

Major Family Law was founded from a standing start in 2009 by highly regarded family lawyer Joanne Major, who had been Head of Family at a large city centre corporate firm. She now has more than 25 years’ experience in the field.

In October last year, the firm received its tenth top ten ranking in prestigious international directory the Legal 500. It was declared a Tier 1 firm within its field. Meanwhile Joanne herself was granted the Legal 500’s Hall of Fame status for the second consecutive year. She was the only family solicitor in the north of England, male or female, to have received this accolade.

Our photo show Stacy Williams (l) and Katie Wright (r) outside the new offices