Kirwans' employees have been awarded permanent contracts after completing a two-year training programme with the firm.

Carl Nadim and Gabrielle Kitchen, who will now specialise in Crime, Family Law and Dispute Resolution respectively, are celebrating after being admitted onto the roll call of solicitors.

Carl started working at Kirwans in June 2016 and obtained both his Higher Rights Advocacy – allowing him to represent clients in both the Higher and Lower Courts – and Professional Skills qualifications this summer.

Carl practises in general crime, with a keen interest in fraud and motoring cases. He is currently expanding the firm’s Regulatory and Licensing offerings for companies being prosecuted by Trading Standards or other government agencies, including driving instructors being removed from the Register and taxi drivers being refused a licence.

Gabrielle Kitchen joined Kirwans in February 2015 and worked within the Criminal department before moving to Dispute Resolution. She has gained experience in a wide range of legal areas including criminal law, prison law, agricultural prosecutions and commercial and civil disputes.

Gabrielle will now be based at the Moreton office as part of the Dispute Resolution team, which offers services including commercial litigation, contract disputes, partnership disputes and property litigation.

The trainee-turned-solicitors follow in the footsteps of colleagues including partner Claire Currie, who began her legal career as a Kirwans’ trainee.

Carl said:

“Qualifying with Kirwans has provided me with the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong ambition to qualify as a solicitor, and I look forward to supporting clients with my enthusiasm and expertise.”

Gabrielle said:

“Qualifying as a solicitor has satisfied a long-held aspiration of mine. I look forward to continuing to support and assist clients whilst expanding my knowledge and skill in this new stage of my career.”

Deputy Head of Crime Natalie Byrne has also been celebrating after achieving Higher Rights of Audience for criminal advocacy which allows her to represent her clients as a solicitor-advocate in the senior criminal courts throughout England and Wales.

David Kirwan said:

“Since joining the firm, Carl and Gabrielle have proved themselves to be extremely hard-working, talented members of the team, and I am delighted to be able to reward their efforts with permanent contracts.

“I am also incredibly proud of Natalie, who, with support from her team, has worked so hard to achieve her Higher Rights.

“As a firm that is constantly evolving, we want to give our staff the opportunity to progress too, and it is extremely rewarding to see these employees move on to this exciting new stage of their careers at Kirwans.”