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MTSG & MYSG

Introducing the MYSG Committee

Felicity Fleming, Solicitor at Pluck Andrew Solicitors and Chair of the Manchester Chartered Accountant Students' Society (MCASS), the Manchester Young Profession-
MYSG als Group and of course the Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group (MTSG). Many events are themed
Hi all, I am the current chair of the MYSG committee. Whilst I have been on the and past events include summer BBQs, beauty nights, cocktail making classes, pool competitions,
committee since I moved back to Manchester in 2010 I only became chair last treasure hunts, a casino night, seminars, wine tasting, Christmas parties etc.
September. Since this time I have helped to bring more structure to the com-
mittee by each person on the committee having a specific role. This I believe Carly Murphy, Solicitor at TPC Law and Sponsorship Officer for the MYSG
has helped the committee go from strength to strength and we have over re- I work for TPC solicitors based in Manchester as a Personal Injury Solicitor. I only
cent months had some highly successful events. recently became a committee member of MYSG and I’m so happy I got in-
volved. I was keen to join the committee as I feel it's really important to have
Upon moving to Manchester from the Lake District, where I had lived the majority of my life, I a network of support in this job and through events organised by MYSG I'd ex-
hardly knew anyone in the area never mind in the profession. The MYSG allowed me to mix and perienced just that. Now on the committee I have lots of fun getting involved
meet other solicitors and also other professionals at their inter professionals events. This is why with new events and encouraging new members to get involved and just
after attending a number of events I wanted to get involved and be part of the committee. Over enjoy being part of the team!
the number of years I have been on the committee I have organised many events including a cake
decorating session, a NQ event and also a Christmas drinks event. I therefore took on board the Jacqui Bourke, Solicitor at Linder Myers and Treasurer for the MYSG
role of chair in the hope that as a committee we could make the MYSG more prolific in Manches- My name is Jacqui Bourke and I am at Linder Myers in the Commercial Prop-
ter and organise many more events to allow others like me moving to the area meet new people. erty department. My first degree was in Environmental Science and I have al-
Whilst sometimes the balance of work load, attending meetings and organising events can be a ways been interested in the way the land works – just looking at it from a
burden, it is extremely rewarding when you hear feedback about how people enjoy the events. slightly different angle to how I look at it now! I converted to law and now I
I would therefore highly recommend if you’re interested becoming involved and joining the com- cover all aspects of commercial property including sales and purchases, land-
mittee. At work, I am a qualified family solicitor primarily dealing with children matters. I repre- lord and tenant, refinancing of property portfolios and aspects related to de-
sent a lot of parents who have children services involved with their families. Usually the Local velopment. I’ve just taken over the role of Treasurer for MYSG and I am
Authority are considering or have issued care proceedings as they feel that the long term arrange- responsible for looking after the accounts as well as organising events. It’s very important for
ments of the children need investigation. Whilst my job can be quite emotional at times, it is ex- young lawyers to network, not only with other young lawyers to provide support and cama-
tremely rewarding to feel that you are making a difference to people's lives. raderie, but it’s now essential for wider business development. The MYSG events are always really
fun and I hope to see you at one soon!!
Outside of work I have a little girl who is currently 2 years old. I am also pregnant with my sec-
ond child who is due at the beginning of October. This keeps me extremely busy but I still have Jemma Goldstone, Solicitor at JMW Solicitors LLP and Sponsorship
time to go to the gym on an odd occasion (not as regularly as I used to). I am also a member of Officer for the MYSG
Chester Zoo and the Sea life centres. I enjoy going to the theatre, cinema and socialising with I am a Personal Injury Solicitor, specialising in Employer’s Liability, Occupiers
friends when time permits. I am also on the Manchester Law Society committee, Manchester Res- Liability and holiday claims at JMW Solicitors. As I had always really enjoyed
olution and the Litigant in Person Committee at Manchester Court. attending MYSG events, I decided to join the committee earlier this year to
meet other like-minded Solicitors and to get more involved with event organ-
Charlotte Brinsley, Family Solicitor at Slater & Gordon and Vice Chair of isation and planning. I am responsible for obtaining Sponsorship for the events
the MYSG from various companies involved with the legal profession. There’s quite a lot
I am the current Vice Chair of Manchester Young Solicitors Group and will be of networking and business development involved with this role, as well as
taking over as Chair as from September 2015. I have obtained a lot of expe- coffee meetings! I also write for the Messenger to update readers on the forthcoming MYSG
rience being part of and chairing committees following my roles as Chair of events. We put on some great events at popular venues, often for really worthy Charities!
the Manchester Training Solicitor Group and Business Director of Junior Cham- Karolina Kola, Solicitor at PwC Legal LLP and Inter-Professional
ber International.
Representative of the MYSG
My name is Karolina and I am a solicitor at PwC Legal LLP. With our headquar-
Day to day I am a family solicitor at Slater & Gordon, a full service law firm providing professional ters in London and PwC legal experts based in 116 countries, I am based in a
and proactive services. I act for clients on a variety of family law matters including divorce, finan- growing Manchester practice covering the North (including Manchester,
cial settlements, cohabitation issues and child disputes.
Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle).I specialise in corporate and finance law and
have experience of advising national and overseas small and medium busi-
I decided to get involved with the Manchester Young Solicitors Group as I felt it was important nesses, corporates, individuals and banks on M&A, private equity, structuring,
to play a role within the wider legal community and build my personal profile. I am a great be- general corporate matters and banking & debt finance transactions. I have
liever in getting out there and meeting people and I think being part of a committee like MYSG chosen this role as it allows me to get involved in various transactions and also gives me a unique
really gives me the platform from which to do that.
position of working in a law firm but at the same time being a part of huge international network
and services that PwC offers.At MYSG, I am an inter-professional representative and I am respon-
As a committee we all work hard to promote the Young Solicitors Group and organise events that sible for liaising with other professions such as bankers, accountants, architects and business own-
will benefit our members whether that be through collaborating with other professional groups ers. After 6 years’ experience in business development and events I joined the MYSG committee
such as the Young Chartered Accountants or raising money for a local charity.
to pursue my second passion – business development.
Cara Nuttall, Solicitor at Slater & Gordon and Charity Representative for I enjoy my role at MYSG as it allows me not only to use my contacts within various industries and
the MYSG negotiate the best deals for our MYSG members with venue owners but it also allows me to meet
I have been a member of the committee for 5-6 years, working under various some interesting individuals. At MYSG I am responsible for organising small (20 people) to large
different chairs and undertaking various different roles over the course of my (600 people) inter-professional networking events and making sure that young lawyers in the
time served. I currently focus on charitable efforts and events, and Charlotte North have opportunities to meet other professionals that they would not necessarily meet on
and I are rarely happier than when we are plotting some fun fundraising effort a daily basis. Some of these new contacts can develop into an opportunity and what may come
or other, though I also assist with ad hoc social events throughout the year. In with it – a win (whether in a professional capacity or simply gaining a new friend). I would there-
my day job, I'm a Senior Associate at Slater & Gordon in Family Law, specialis- fore encourage all 0-10 PQE solicitors to join MYSG and attend one of our events.
ing in international children law, alternative families/fertility law and complex domestic children
proceedings.
MYSG Event Update
Katie Simpson, Solicitor at Addleshaw Goddard and Events Manager for Over the next couple of months we have some brilliant events planned for you! After the success
the MYSG of the last Beauty Event and the joint flip flop event with the JCI, we have been in talks with The
My name is Katie Simpson and I am an Associate at Addleshaw Goddard LLP Midland Hotel Spa to hold the next beauty and pamper event. We will also be teaming up with
in the corporate department. I act for a broad spectrum of clients from owner- MYCAG accountants to have a wine tasting evening.
managed businesses to large well known PLCs and private equity funds. I work
on a variety of transactions including corporate acquisitions and private eq- We will also be holding a joint MTSG and MYSG Trainee/NQ event for all of the new trainees and
uity investments and exits. Having been social secretary of the MTSG I joined NQ Solicitors in early October. We are currently looking at venues for this event. It is set to be a
the MYSG in 2012 and have been involved in arranging a number of network- big night and will be sponsored by Interlink Recruitment, a Specialist Recruitment Firm in Man-
ing, training and social events. I have collaborated with a number of other professional and inter- chester and London, as well as St John’s Buildings Barristers Chambers. With lots of exciting plans
professional groups to increase networking opportunities and I am currently the MYSG in the pipeline we will keep you updated both by our website and our regular emails.
representative to the Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society
We would also like to wish Charlotte Brinsley of Slater and Gordon good luck in taking over the
Alex Watts, Solicitor at Rowley Dickinson Solicitors and Online role of Chair while Felicity our current chair heads off for a few months on maternity leave. We
Administrator for the MYSG wish Felicity good luck in the next chapter in her life and enjoy some time to relax as she has
I work at Rowley Dickinson Solicitors and conduct residential and commer- worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure the ongoing success of the MYSG.
cial property transactions and a few litigious property cases. I prefer conduct-
ing transactional work as whilst conducting due diligence you are ultimately The MYSG has over 1000 members and is a great group to join if you want to meet other young
working together to achieve a common goal, though the contentious matters Manchester based professionals. we are at present looking for new people to join the committee
offer more scope for research and strategy. so if you are interested in being more involved and would like to attend a meeting please con-
I joined the MYSG to meet people, discuss issues facing the profession and tact Charlotte Brinsley via email: [email protected]
help take the organisation forward, increase membership and active participation. I have worked
hard implementing the MYSG’s recent online presence and the new website (www.mysg.co.uk), If you want to receive details of upcoming events simply subscribe to our mailing list at
mailshot system and improved use of social media platforms should all help to achieve the goal www.mysg.co.ukIf you want to take on a more active role and join the Committee, or have any
of involving more individuals invested in the legal profession. I have an interest in efficiencies and suggestions for an event please contact: [email protected]
programming.
The main focus of the MYSG is to organise social events throughout the year, often in conjunc- Jemma Goldstone
tion with other young professional groups such as the Junior Chamber International (JCI), North Solicitor
West Young Planners (NWYP), Manchester Young Chartered Accountants Group (MYCAG) and JMW Solicitors LLP