Acquisition reunites practice partner with the law firm where he learned his profession

A PARTNER at a leading Northumberland law firm is once again working for the company where he trained following a recent amalgamation.

Simon Jewitt‘s legal career began as a trainee solicitor at Cumbria-based law firm Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors 21 years ago.

The opportunity to move back to his native Tyne Valley to work for Hexham firm Nicholson Portnell proved too strong a pull in 2007 and he has worked his way up the ranks to the position of partner.

Simon played a pivotal role in recently bringing together the two firms in a deal which has resulted in Cartmell Shepherd acquiring Nicholson Portnell, strengthening the services both law practices provide to their growing client bases.

“Having worked at both firms, I have first hand experience of the high quality of legal services they provide to their clients and combining the specialisms of both companies was the perfect fit,” said Simon.

“Similarly to Nicholson Portnell, Cartmell Shepherd prioritises the wellbeing of its staff and actively promotes career progression, so we are delighted to come together with a great company which shares our values.

“There’s some members of staff still there from when I trained all those years ago, and it’s amazing to be working with such great people who complement our team so well.

“Clients of Nicholson Portnell will benefit from a more expansive range of legal knowledge and skills available from the expert team of solicitors at Cartmell Shepherd, who bring extra specialisms in areas such as Agricultural Law, Employment Law, Business Services, Private Client, Family Law and Dispute Resolution, including Will and Inheritance Disputes.

“Both sets of clients will benefit from the merger and our team at Hexham will be able to provide assistance across Cartmell Shepherd’s operations, particularly at its other Tyne Valley office in Haltwhistle.”

After studying Law at Northumbria University, Simon joined Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors as a trainee solicitor in 2003, gaining experience across the company’s various departments.

After qualifying as a solicitor, he worked at the firm’s office in Rosehill Industrial Estate, in Carlisle, under leading agricultural lawyer Tim Cartmell, who has since retired, and alongside Jonathan Carroll, who now heads up Cartmell Shepherd’s Agricultural department.

Simon moved back home to Hexham after four years in Cumbria and joined his father Peter, who was a senior partner at Nicholson Portnell. Simon was made a partner in 2012 and his responsibilities and influence have increased ever since.

He is now excited about the further development of Nicholson Portnell after coming together with Cartmell Shepherd.

Simon said: “I absolutely loved my time training at Cartmell Shepherd, and I’m so grateful I was able to gain experience in so many specialist areas of law which gave me a great foundation for my future career.

“The training I received at Cartmell Shepherd was excellent and it was always clear how much they valued their staff and clients, so I’m fully aware that they share the same ethos and values as Nicholson Portnell.

“The only reason I left was because the opportunity to return home arose, and it allowed me to be closer to my family and to work with my father.

“I am proud of the role I have played in growing Nicholson Portnell’s reputation across the Tyne Valley and the wider North East, and we are all really looking forward to working with the team at Cartmell Shepherd to enhance and increase this even further.”

Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors acquired Nicholson Portnell in April, strengthening its presence in the Tyne Valley to complement its base in Haltwhistle. The firm also has five offices across Cumbria in Carlisle (two locations), Brampton, Penrith and Cockermouth.