Congratulations & Promotions – October 2024

Trudi Bates – Senior Associate

Having joined the firm over a decade ago initially as a Wills Legal Executive, Trudi has been an integral part of the growth of the department.  She has worked alongside and helped develop a number of other staff members, from established lawyers like Hannaley, Muhammed and Anne, to up and coming new starters like Evelyn and Kezia, to name just a few.

In addition to her consistent and reliable financial performance, Trudi has taken on more senior and supervisory duties as she transitions towards management.  Trudi was promoted to Associate in 2021 and took on responsibility for training our Wills and Probate paralegals and clerks.  She consistently receives excellent 5* client feedback and is one of the highest ranked lawyers in the firm based on individual ‘Review Solicitor’ ratings.

More recently Trudi has started the prestigious STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualification which is the gold standard for Wills and Probate lawyers and will be helping to lead the changes in the department when the new procedures for digital Lasting Powers of Attorney are introduced.

Hazara Patel – Senior Associate

Since joining the firm in 2021 as a Wills & Probate solicitor Hazara has been a model of financial consistency, having achieved target every month for three years and counting.  As she settled into the firm, she gradually took on more responsibility including being part of the Social Committee.  Hazara has also made herself one of the strongest technical lawyers in the team, being one of just a few select lawyers to not only have achieved TEP accreditation, but achieving it with a Distinction grade.  Her reputation saw her invited to speak on the expert panel for a group of national charities at an industry event.

In 2023 Hazara deservedly achieved promotion to Associate, as part of which she took more of a lead in projects by overseeing the firm’s Staff Forum and helping to make Mullis & Peake a great place to work.  Her excellent all-round performance saw her win two national awards, picking up the gong for ‘Rising Star’ in both the LawNet Awards 2023/24 and Modern Law Awards 2024.

Being in a department of 17, Hazara’s natural leadership skills started to shine through and she has found herself naturally deputising when myself and Kristina were away, making decisions and managing her colleagues.

Following their written applications and successful interviews both promotions are well deserved and reflect the hard work and dedication the two of them have shown over the years, as well as the role they will play in helping to shape the future of the firm.