Pictured above: Eleanor Hopwood, who has qualified as a
family solicitor at Robinsons Solicitors, in St James Court, Friar
Gate, Derby
Leading East Midlands legal firm Robinsons Solicitors has
received a timely boost to its family department after trainee
Eleanor Hopwood qualified as a solicitor.
Eleanor made the step up this month after successfully
completing a two year training contract with the firm, in St James
Court, Friar Gate, Derby.
Her qualification is timely because Robinsons is currently busy
with post-Christmas divorce inquiries and Eleanor will start the
new phase of her career with a full caseload.
Eleanor is already continuing a family tradition of practising
law and is following in the footsteps of her aunt, Gay Martin,
family law barrister who is head of London's prestigious Clarendon
Chambers.
Eleanor spent time at Clarendon Chambers on work experience as a
16-year-old and her time watching the barristers in court convinced
her that a career in family law was the one for her. After
completing her law degree at the University of Sheffield and her
training contract at Robinsons, Eleanor's ambition has been
realised.
Trainees have to work in at least three different areas within a
practice and, after spending time in Robinsons' private client,
commercial property and commercial litigation departments, Eleanor
spent the last period of her training in the family department.
Her duties included looking after casework in relation to
financial settlements and contact and residency arrangements for
children of married and cohabiting couples who are breaking up.
Eleanor said: "I have learned a great deal from working in the
other departments, but I am certain that my future lies in family
law.
"You get to work very closely with all sorts of people, which
offers a real variety you don't get in other areas of the law, and
you are able to offer a service at a time when people really need
help and guidance.
"My aunt was a real influence on me. She was a real fighter for
people's civil rights and I was always very impressed by her
eloquence in court. The work experience didn't make me want to be a
barrister, but it did make me realise that I wanted to be a family
solicitor and I am thrilled to have finally qualified."
Fiona Apthorpe, head of the Family and Mediation department at
Robinsons Solicitors, said: "Since Eleanor started working in the
department, she has shown a real passion and aptitude for family
work.
"We are delighted that she has chosen to specialise in what is a
fascinating and challenging area of the law and look forward to
more success in the future."