Local law firm celebrates its first year of practising
Claire Myatt & Andrew NelsonTwo Bangor University alumni are celebrating the first anniversary of establishing their own law practice this month. Nelson Myatt Solicitors LLP which is based at Llandudno Junction, Conwy deal with all aspects of civil law and are a modern practice, using the latest technology to benefit their clients.
Andrew Nelson and Claire Myatt were part of the first student cohort to graduate from the University’s Law School since it was established in 2004.
Following an 8 year career in the Army and 12 years as a Mountaineering Instructor and guide, Andrew wanted a complete change of direction and to work for the Crown Prosecution Service. After a period of work experience with the CPS which involved attending crown court, he became inspired to become a barrister.
Of his time at Bangor, Andrew said: “I had an amazing time during my three years at Bangor. I clearly remember being really nervous when it came to results day as you needed a 2.1 to go on to Bar School. One of my many highlights was a trip to the Europe Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights which in the company of my fellow students and lecturers, was incredibly insightful. I’m really grateful to the University for such a marvellous learning experience which has been a tremendous grounding for my legal career.”
Mother of three Claire spent 19 years as a civil servant working for the Department of Work and Pensions and had always wanted to learn more about the law. She looked into the possibility of studying for an A-level at evening class at Coleg Llandrillo, but discovered that such an option wasn’t available, but a two-year day-release HNC course was. Claire negotiated with her employer for the time off to attend the course and thoroughly enjoyed her learning experience. A year later, Claire saw an advert in the local paper for Bangor’s new Law Degree and decided that this was the next logical step of her learning journey.
Claire recalls: “Overall, I had the most fantastic experience at Bangor. We were the first law graduates to go through and although it was a varied cohort of all ages with school leavers and mature students, everyone got on great and many still keep in touch.”
After graduating in 2007, they went to Manchester Metropolitan University to take the Bar Professional Training Course and then the pair practiced at various firms before embarking on establishing their own practice.
Aled Griffiths, Senior Lecturer at the time, said:
“Claire and Andrew were members of our first year intake. This particular group was fantastic in every sense and we were very fortunate to have such a good start. It meant that we established a good reputation from the beginning and it is still growing. There were a number of local school leavers as well as older students like Claire and Andrew in the group, and they all got on great and pushed each other. A number of them have gone on to make a mark in the legal profession, as lecturers, lawyers or administrators, of which Claire and Andrew are very good examples.
“I have no doubt that they will do very well in their new practice as they got on with people and they were very hard working and very interested in law and all of its aspects.”
Publication date: 1 April 2015