Join Our Team
We love working with like-minded people who share our commitment to doing a great job and being part of a vibrant, forward thinking team.
At Cartmell Shepherd, we combine a competitive salary with a great range of benefits and ongoing investment in training and development.
From practical, flexible working arrangements to offering clear, defined career paths from trainee to director positions, we are 100% committed to putting our people at the heart of our business.
If you’re looking for a rewarding, challenging career at an established legal firm with a strong client base, then Cartmell Shepherd is the right place for you.
Let’s have a conversation
If you’d like to join our team, take a look at our current list of vacancies. We’re always on the lookout for brilliant people, so if we’re not currently advertising your perfect position, then we would still love to hear from you.
Whether you’re just starting out on your legal career or have years of experience in your chosen field, it would be great to have a conversation. Contact our Assistant Practice Manager Lindsay Berry on 01228 516666 or email lindsay.berry@cartmells.co.uk for a chat.
Why work for Cartmell Shepherd?
Everything we do at Cartmell Shepherd is underpinned by our values: Fairness, Respect, Collaboration, Commitment, Quality and Ambition.
“What sets us apart is the fact that we’re the opposite of the stereotypical, traditional grey-suited law firm. By taking a flexible, forward-thinking approach, it enables our team to lead successful, fulfilling careers within a supportive environment.”
Peter Stafford, Managing Director, Cartmell Shepherd
Our range of benefits includes:
• Competitive salary
• Fee Earner Bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption provision
• Access to free confidential counselling service
• Good annual leave package
• Flexible working options and case management system which supports remote working
• Personal pension scheme
• BYOD (bring your own dog to work!)
• Complimentary access to some legal services
• Bike to work and electric car schemes
What our team says…
“Cartmell Shepherd has been hugely supportive to me throughout my career including two spells on maternity leave which I took with the knowledge that my career would always continue to develop and progress with the firm.”
Katherine Pretswell-Walker, Solicitor and Director
Katherine joined Cartmell Shepherd as a trainee nearly 20 years ago and was made a director of the firm in 2021. She is part of our Agriculture and Estates team, which is ranked as one of the best in the country, and handles all aspects of agricultural law.
We understand that life is about more than work and offer the flexibility to ensure you can achieve a great work-life balance.Many of our team combine office-based and remote working, or work flexible hours to better suit their lifestyles.
Our team says…
“One of the best things about working for Cartmell Shepherd is the flexibility. I’m able to take my young son to his swimming class during work time and make up the time later. The trust and support I have from the team is second to none.”
Cassie Bradley, Marketing Assistant
Cassie is part of our marketing department, working across our social media channels as well as working on our internal and external communications. She has been with Cartmell Shepherd since 2019.
Whatever your role at Cartmell Shepherd, we’ll offer you the opportunity to fulfill your potential. Our training and development programme includes:
• Funded professional study
• Clear career progression
• Supportive working environment
• Networking and business development opportunities
We have a thriving trainee and apprenticeship programme, with the majority of our graduates staying on with us after qualifying.
Our team says…
“My apprenticeship allows me to combine work and study which means I can put into practice the theory I’ve learnt at university through practical, on-the-job experience. I get to spend time in all of the firm’s departments which gives me a real understanding of different aspects of the profession.”
Holly Moxon, trainee solicitor
Holly is five years into her six-year apprenticeship with Cartmell Shepherd. She was the first apprentice solicitor in Cumbria and was named Apprentice of the Year at the 2022 in-Cumbria Business Awards.
We might be biased but living and working close to TWO Unesco World Heritage Sites is definitely something to shout about. With both Hadrian’s Wall and the Lake District on our doorstep, a post-work hike or lunchtime swim amongst some of the UK’s most impressive scenery is a reality.
We have six offices across Cumbria and Northumberland including two in Carlisle, and at Cockermouth, Penrith, Brampton, and Haltwhistle.
At Cartmell Shepherd, you get the best of both worlds: a fulfilling legal career and a fantastic work-life balance.
Our team says…
“I often head out into the fells for a ride or run during my lunch hour. There’s nothing like it for blowing the cobwebs away. It’s great to be able to work for a firm that gives me the flexibility to do the things I love.”
Zoe Calway, Solicitor and Director 
Zoe is part of Cartmell Shepherd’s Private Client team and is based at the Penrith office. She runs, swims and bikes to compete in triathlons, and fits in her training around work and family life.
We believe in making a positive impact in the areas in which we work and support charities, local organisations and initiatives across our region.
From fundraising to volunteering, we actively encourage and support our team to make a difference. Find out more about our role in the community.
Our team says…
“It’s very much part of the Cartmell Shepherd ethos that we don’t just support events and charities financially, we get involved too. We’re encouraged to volunteer with local charities and organisations to give back to the communities in which we live and work.”
Claire Wilson, Private Client team
Working from our Rosehill (Carlisle) and West Cumbria offices, Claire deals with all aspects of Wills, trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection matters, the administration of estates.
Data protection and your privacy during the application and recruitment process
We take your privacy very seriously. During the application and recruitment process it is necessary for us to collect, store and share your personal information in order that we take steps to ensure a fair recruitment process, select the right candidate and prepare for entering into a contract of employment with us.
The privacy notice, at the link below, explains what personal data (information) we will hold about you, how we collect it, and how we will use and may share information about you during the application and recruitment process. We are required to notify you of this information, under data protection legislation. Please ensure that you read this notice (sometimes referred to as a ‘privacy notice’) and any other similar notice we may provide to you from time to time when we collect or process personal information about you.
