LAW
V astly experienced solicitor Janet Ford is looking to assist Punch Robson Solicitors to deliver an even higher standard of client care after teaming up with a former opponent in the courtroom .
After more than two decades in law , Janet has moved to the Teesside firm as an associate solicitor , having been very impressed with the company ’ s approach . She will be working closely with Jenn Williamson , a partner and the firm ’ s head of family . Both consider client care to be an essential element when dealing with cases involving family law .
Jenn said : “ Janet and I have come across each other on the other side on numerous occasions . We are both feisty and fight for what is right for our clients . “ It is nice now to have Janet on the same team as me , rather than us acting as opponents in court . We can now show how we can work together as a team .”
She added : “ Janet has a number of accreditations and has a lot of experience and strings to her bow . I ’ m sure this will help us deliver a better and more wellrounded experience for the client , so they can continue to receive a high standard of legal representation .
“ Janet and I deal with a lot of cases regarding children matters and domestic abuse , but Janet also represents clients in cases involving more of the complex matrimonial and finance matters .
“ We both value the direction the team is heading in and we work together very much as part of that team , with the existing family team members working with us .
“ For me , it is nice to have someone like Janet to bounce off . Given our experience , we are able to help each other out , and we want that kind of relationship to make sure clients have the best possible care and service .”
Janet is a family law specialist . She is accredited to the Law Society ’ s Children ’ s Panel , having operated as a general law family practitioner and has recently been reaccredited in order to continue supporting families and children in Children Act proceedings .
WORDS : PAUL FRASER PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Experienced family lawyer Janet Ford has joined Punch Robson Solicitors
The Stockton-born and raised solicitor has Teesside at heart . She originally worked in her family ’ s machinery and haulage business before starting on her law journey .
Janet came to law later than most , at the age of 34 . She started studying part-time at the University of Teesside in 2001 , alongside her full-time job at a law firm .
Five years later she took a year out before embarking on another two years of legal studies for the Legal Practice Course at Northumbria University .
Her career quickly developed as she gained more and more experience in courtrooms on Teesside , Tyneside and across the region .
Janet said : “ I was working as a paralegal in family law until qualifying in 2012 in firms across the North-East region , including Billingham , Hartlepool and Gateshead .
“ When I came back to Teesside for a well-known firm in Redcar , I was made head of department and things have developed from there . I moved to Punch Robson after Jenn contacted me .”
Her previous commercial experience means she is well-placed to work and advise on the financial aspects of divorce and separation .
She also undertakes work on cases involving domestic abuse and is a member of Resolution , which lawyers become accredited to and work with to widen their scope of how to manage cases effectively from a more conciliatory approach .
Since September Janet has been representing Punch Robson , a firm with a long history , having provided expert legal services across the North-East since 1877 .
She said : “ I was obviously aware of Punch Robson and how this Teesside firm has developed over the years . I have always been impressed with the approach they have taken towards the support for clients .
“ We are very team-orientated here too . That is important . It gives a better service to the client and I have noticed that is a huge part of Punch Robson since working here .
“ One of the reasons I accepted the role was because I knew Jenn quite well , she worked in a similar way to me and I felt we could work well together .
“ We did our Law Society Children ’ s Panel accreditation at about the same time and have been able to represent children in child proceedings for around five years .”
Janet , Jenn and their department at Punch Robson concentrate on family cases from the Ingleby Barwick office on Myton Road , where the firm also provides other aspects of legal services including commercial property , litigation , mental health and private client .
There is also their second site at Parkway Centre , Coulby Newham , which hosts the residential conveyancing department .
Jenn said : “ As a business , we are keen to expand our departments over the forthcoming years . The work is continuing to flood through the doors in all areas .
“ We have commercial , litigation , probate , mental health , residential and family departments . We have a wellrounded legal team at Punch Robson , where we all try to work together , and it ’ s handy we can go to people in other departments where there is a crossover .
“ Janet is coming into the department at a high level . As a team , we are excited she has joined us . Those links she has within the community are well founded and we have seen immediately the improvements Janet has brought to the excellent service we provided already .”
For further information , visit punchrobson . co . uk .
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