Network partner and leading law firm, Cartmell Shepherd have appointed a new specialist employment solicitor to further increase the breadth and quality of support for its growing number of business clients including many family firms.

Jennifer Cafferky, who has worked in employment law for 15 years, joins Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors from national law firm Setfords Solicitors and has previously worked for Cumbria Law Centre as a senior solicitor.

She will work alongside Joanne Stronach, who leads the Employment and HR team at Cartmell Shepherd, which operates across Cumbria and Northumberland.

Jennifer said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be starting the next chapter of my career with Cartmell Shepherd. I’ve always enjoyed all aspects of employment law and HR, and like working with a variety of clients across different sectors. I’m looking forward to working alongside Joanne to help clients achieve the right solutions.”

Originally from Newcastle, Jennifer, 37, studied law at The University of Wales Aberystwyth followed by a diploma in legal practice at The University of Northumbria. She moved to Carlisle in 2007 to train as a solicitor at Cumbria Law Centre, a community organisation which offers free legal advice and representation to people who live and work in the county.

In her most recent role at Setfords Solicitors, she advised both employers and employees on a variety of issues including unfair dismissal, discrimination and redundancy matters. She has significant experience resolving disputes via settlement agreements and conducting employment disputes in both tribunal and court.

Jennifer recently assisted an employer to respond to allegations of disability discrimination in connection with the legal requirement to vaccinate all employees in the organisation.

Joanne said: “We are delighted to welcome Jennifer to Cartmells who brings a wealth of specialist employment law experience to our team and fits perfectly with our ethos of providing commercial legal services in an approachable way.

“We are continually building on the success of the Business Services team at Cartmell Shepherd, which goes from strength to strength with increased demand for our pragmatic expertise and personable approach.”

Cartmell Shepherd has offices in Rosehill Carlisle, Carlisle city centre, Brampton, Penrith, Cockermouth, and Haltwhistle.

The firm’s full range of legal services is available from all of its offices, delivered by its team of more than 40 solicitors based across Cumbria and Northumberland.

Cartmell Shepherd is the only legal firm in Cumbria to be a member of the innovative UK200Group, and offers specialist expertise to individuals and businesses across a wide range of sectors.