THOMAS Connell has qualified as a solicitor at AWB Charlesworth Solicitors, which has branches in Skipton, Keighley and Bradford, following completion of a two-year training contract.

After a degree in philosophy, politics and economics, followed by a legal practice course at York University, Tom joined AWB Charlesworth in October 2019 in the commercial property department. He first worked as a legal secretary, then as a paralegal, and after three years of hard graft, Tom successfully applied for a training contract with the firm, supported unanimously by the Directors who saw his potential.

Now. after two years as a trainee, Tom has becomes a solicitor and will specialise in commercial property.

Along the way, Tom has won Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Craven Business Awards. He has presented on legal ethics at Ermysted’s Grammar School, and now handles his own transactions, running a large portfolio of property management matters.

The firm says it is delighted that Tom has met this career milestone, and gratified that supporting staff in this way is paying dividends to the business.

Alongside Tom, the firm is supporting Katie Miller via the trainee solicitor route and Emma Davies via the solicitor apprentice route. Two solicitors are furthering their specialisms via Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners exams and the firm has also seen staff qualify via the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam. As a registered training provider, AWB Charlesworth Solicitors continues to offer excellent expert legal advice to clients throughout the Aire Valley, in addition to investing in staff development via a range of legal training routes.