Member Article

Sunderland solicitors strengthens its team

AN AWARD-winning solicitor- advocate, recognised for her dedication in representing children and young people, has returned to her roots to take up an exciting new role.

Cassandra Spenceley has joined the highly regarded team of specialist children panel lawyers at Sunderland’s Richard Reed Solicitors and will also be taking up a seat on the Board as a non-owner Director.

And that means the firm will be able to offer even more specialist services to an already highly regarded family law department.

The appointment is a return to the city where Cassandra first trained for a legal career, before moving on to work on Tyneside with one the region’s top law firms.

She is widely regarded as a specialist in safeguarding issues involving children and is regularly instructed to represent children and young people in the Family Court in what are often complex cases about their welfare.

At the same time Cassandra has provided children safeguarding advice to NHS Trusts and academies, along with being a member of Resolution, made up of family lawyers committed to resolving family disputes, the Local Family Justice Board and The Law Society’s Children’s Panel.

In her new role as part of Richard Reed’s care team, Cassandra will be working alongside owner, David Place, who along with being a children’s panel solicitor is also an assistant coroner, and fellow solicitor and non-owner Director, Laura Peel, who Cassandra worked with, in a case before the Court of Appeal, concerning complex medical evidence.

“I have known Richard Reed as a firm since I was a trainee in Sunderland and have worked really closely with both David and Laura over the years,” she said.

“There’s a real collegiate environment within the legal community in Sunderland, where people really do seem to support each other.

“The opportunity to be part of the firm and to take up a seat on the Board was something I couldn’t turn down and working again in Sunderland just felt like I was coming home.”

Very recently Cassandra was named the Most Dedicated Child Welfare Lawyer Specialist in the Northern Enterprise Awards and is now hoping to add her expertise to the existing skills at Richard Reed.

“I’m looking forward to help drive the business forward,” she said.

“Hopefully I can bring my years of experience to an already strong and well respected team.

“It’s getting the right outcome for the child which is my motivation and what drives me.”

Sarah Reid, Managing Director at Richard Reed, said: “We are delighted to have Cassandra on board, she brings a wealth of skills, experience and legal expertise to our firm.”

“Cassandra will enhance our well established and respected family care team, adding to the excellent service we provide. She also joins us as a director, which will further strengthen our leadership and growth as one of the leading legal firms in Sunderland.”

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