TILLY Bailey & Irvine Solicitors has announced the promotion of six of its staff to associate solicitor, demonstrating that the firm is keen to recognise the capabilities and commitment of its staff.

The solicitors who have been promoted represent a cross-section of the firm’s services in both business and personal law. They are: Kay Ditcham and Helen Elstob, who work in the firm’s Personal Injury department; Rebecca Samuels, who is a specialist in Family Law; Brian Farrell who carries out both Family Law and Conveyancing; and Debra Burton and Craig Malarkey, both from the firm’s Wynyard-based Business Law team.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors’ managing partner, John Hall, said: “Our business is in a confident position and its success has been built on the quality and commitment of our staff. We pride ourselves on primarily recruiting local staff. Now, to recognise their skill and dedication, we have put in place a formal annual review process, giving our solicitors the opportunity to apply for a higher position with the firm. We are proud that six applicants met our criteria for the Associate Solicitor role and are progressing their careers within our firm.”

Mr Malarkey, one of the six newly-promoted associate solicitors, who works in commercial and corporate law, said: “Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors has strong, competent and committed teams in every area of specialism and these promotions reflect achievements across the firm.

“Having started as a Trainee Solicitor with Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors and qualified in 2006, I am now delighted to be progressing my career further with the firm. The Business Law team, based at Wynyard Park, has grown in recent years despite the economic slowdown and I am proud to have played a part in that success, in a firm that is going from strength to strength.”