A REGIONAL law firm has seen its lawyer numbers increase after the dual qualification of two trainees.

Justine Harris Hughes and Louise Thornsby, who work at WHN Solicitors, have both successfully navigated the trainee solicitor programme.

Justine, 49, who lives in Rossendale and is based at the firm’s office in Bury, originally joined WHN as a paralegal in 2016 before starting her training contract and is now a solicitor in its corporate and commercial department. Before completing her legal practice course at Manchester Metropolitan University, Justine obtained a graduate diploma in law.

Louise, 28, who is originally from Rochdale and now lives in Rawtenstall, works in WHN’s debt recovery and commercial litigation team. Also operating from the firm’s Bury office, her work involves drafting witness statements, handling debt recovery matters for businesses and liaising with barristers. She joined WHN as a paralegal in 2018 after completing her legal practice course in 2016 at the University of Law in Manchester.

Commenting on the qualifications, Michael Shroot, CEO at WHN Solicitors, said: “At WHN we’re committed to growing our team internally as well as bringing in people with the skills and experience we need to drive expansion and further strengthen the services that we offer.

“Justine and Louise are talented and diligent individuals whose hard-work and commitment to providing first class legal advice has already helped countless businesses across the region. I am confident they will go from strength to strength in their careers at WHN.”