All change at Rundlewalker

It’s been a busy time for Exeter Solicitors Rundlewalker who have just launched an apprenticeship scheme, completed an office move and taken on five new members of staff.

But the office move won’t affect its clients very much – they are still based on the stunning location of Exeter Quayside on Kings Wharf but they have moved to a more suitable suite of offices with even better views of the River Exe.

The firm has also taken on its first apprentice through the Damar Training Apprenticeship Scheme.

‘We’re very proud of this new scheme, ‘ said Rundlewalker Director, Nick Dudman, pictured above. ‘There are many routes into a career in law and this is definitely one of them. Our first apprentice, Joe Clark-Farley was an outstanding candidate who demonstrated the keenness, intelligence and adaptability that we were looking for.’

Joe who’s 18, attended Teign School in Kingsteignton, achieving A levels in Math’s, Geography and Business but suddenly decided that university was not for him.

‘There was a cost factor, ‘ he said, ‘plus also I just wanted to do things a different way. I’m really enjoying it and have no regrets about not going to university.’

Joe’s current duties include file opening, issuing property searches, working on stamp duty and land registrations as well as general office work.

Also joining the Rundlewalker team is Criminal solicitor Galina Labworth, a Law and Sociology graduate who took time out during her training to work as an admin assistant at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division. During this time she did some voluntary work for Just TV who produced Channel 4’s Trial and Error series about miscarriages of justice. Galina then completed her legal training, specialized in criminal work and became a duty solicitor with a busy North London firm. She and her family moved to Devon to be closer to relatives. But the lure of criminal work in a city firm attracted her to the job at Rundlewalker.

‘I have a particular interest in representing youths and the vulnerable,’ said Galina, ‘and have a good record of success in making representations to the prosecution to ask for a decision to prosecute to be reversed.’

Solicitor Lisa McArthur specializes in Personal Injury law within the Civil Litigation team at Rundlewalker. She began her career with Surrey Police but was forced to retire after a serious car accident. During her convalescence she began studying for a law degree via a correspondence course, joining the firm in 1998 and qualified as a lawyer in 2000. She worked for Rundlewalker for five years until 2003 and is delighted to be back at the firm in its new premises.

Another new member of the team is Legal Assistant Sara Ficken who combines her job in the Criminal Division with studying law at the Open University.

It’s what I’ve always wanted to do,’ she said, having worked previously in hospitality. ‘I’ve only another year and a half to go to complete my degree.’

Para-Legal Lucy Daffin is also combining her role at Rundlewalker with studying for a law degree with the Open University. Lucy joined the company on work experience, and found herself plunged into working on a murder trial that lasted seven weeks. She was quickly offered a permanent job. Now she liaises with clients and professional bodies, assists at trials and conference meetings.