Crossland Employment Solicitors—Jade Dunsden

Employee-owned Crossland Employment Solicitors is celebrating the success of Jade Dunsden, who has qualified as a solicitor just four-and-a-half years after joining the firm as a part-time administrator. 

After originally contacting the solicitors while completing her law and business degree, Jade is now a fully qualified solicitor, and received a distinction in her final Legal Practice Course (LPC) exams, adding to her first-class honours degree. 

Partner Beverley Sunderland, who originally recruited Jade, said: ‘What a long way Jade has come. From first writing us a letter asking if we had any work, which led to her joining us just before lockdown—then fearing we’d have to let her go as the world turned upside down—to becoming newly qualified as a solicitor! 

‘We saw straight away that Jade is clever, dedicated and hard-working, and we certainly didn’t want to lose her when the lockdown arrived so told her that she couldn’t escape that easily and bought her a laptop. From her admin role, she then became a paralegal, and in 2022 we offered to sponsor her through her LPC course to reach her goal of becoming a solicitor. 

‘We’re delighted and proud to celebrate Jade’s fantastic achievements. She worked so hard juggling studying with working, making many personal sacrifices when she had exams. She’s a great example of how home-grown talent can thrive and grow in their careers given the right support.’ 

Jade said: ‘What a journey I’ve had with Crossland! I’m so glad I wrote my letter asking if there was any work at the firm after it sparked my interest, to being invited to join the team, which led to my eventual final qualification as a solicitor four-and-a-half years later. I am incredibly passionate about the work that we do for our clients and I’m now looking forward to a long and exciting legal career ahead, thanks to the firm’s support. 

Pictured: Jade celebrates her appointment to solicitor

Credit: Crossland Employment Solicitors