Carlisle law firm Wragg Mark-Bell has expanded its conveyancing team with the appointment of the highly regarded Gemma Duncan.

Gemma is an experienced licensed conveyancer who has joined Wragg Mark-Bell Solicitors after 22 years with another local legal practice. Paralegal Katie Chappelhow made the move alongside her.

Nick Kennon, senior director of Wragg Mark-Bell, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Gemma and Katie to the firm.

“Gemma is a very experienced licensed conveyancer with a depth of knowledge of all types of property transaction.

“Her expertise will be an asset to the firm, ensuring our clients get the best possible service when they move home.

“Katie has worked very closely with Gemma, so it’s a real bonus to be able to recruit them both.”

Gemma, 43, has lived in Carlisle since she was a teenager.

A former pupil of Trinity School, she studied criminology, sociology and social anthropology at Keele University before deciding on a legal career.

She embarked on an ILEX legal executive diploma then decided to specialise in conveyancing, qualifying as licensed conveyancer in 2014.

She said: “I realised that conveyancing was a good fit for me. I understood the process and developed my knowledge relatively quickly.

“The thing that I enjoy the most is that you’re assisting people with something that’s really important in their lives.

“I like the fact that it’s personal, helping someone to buy a home where they can settle and perhaps start a family.”

Gemma chose to move on after her former employer was taken over.

She wasn’t short of options, but Wragg Mark-Bell was the clear front runner.

She explained: “I had a few offers from other law firms but I liked the fact that Wragg Mark-Bell is in the centre of Carlisle where clients can pop in and see us.

“It feels part of the community, more integrated. I also found it to be a very approachable firm and very professional as well.”

She is looking forward to drawing on her years of experience as a licensed conveyancer to assist Wragg Mark-Bell’s clients.

Gemma added: “I’ve always had quite a mixed case load and I have a varied and in-depth knowledge of a lot of the detail.

“I like to think that I’m an approachable person and that I deal with things in a calm way. The feedback that I get from clients is that I put their mind at ease. I explain things in a way they can digest without making it over-complicated.”

Wragg Mark-Bell Solicitors is a modern law firm operating from a beautiful Grade II listed building, at 21 Castle Street, in Carlisle’s historic quarter.

It offers a broad range of legal services including wills and probate, employment law and criminal matters, as well as conveyancing.

For more information, visit the website here call the team on 01228 510077.