Law firm Simpson Millar has welcomed experienced solicitor, Rachel Scales, and five new paralegals to its award winning, national education law team.
The appointments follow a period of increased demand for the team, which specialises in cases involving children with special educational needs and EHCPs, as well as helping parents and carers with admissions, exclusions, children out of education, bullying, discrimination, judicial reviews and other types of disputes with schools.
Rachel has more than 10 years’ legal experience and previously owned her own business working as a freelance solicitor specialising in SEN.
She joins the firm’s London-based team where she will support clients working across a range of education law cases.
As part of the continued expansion Simpson Millar’s education law department, which forms part of the firm’s wider Public Law division, the team has also welcomed five new paralegals, including Shea Kelly, Emily Chalk, Clara Jenkins, Mia Cappabianca and Elena Funnell, all of whom will be based out of the firm’s London office.
Sarah Woosey, a partner within the team, welcomed the new arrivals, saying that their ‘experience and expertise’ would allow the firm to take on more cases, and support more families with ‘urgent and often distressing’ matters relating to accessing education.
The last edition of Legal 500 applauded the work of Simpson Millar’s national Public Law division as a whole, including its Education, Court of Protection, Administrative and Public Law, and its Civil Liberties and Human Rights teams.
Sarah Woosey, added: 'It is an honour to welcome all six of our new starters to the team, all of whom bring with them a real passion and commitment to supporting families to access the right education and support needed for their loved ones.
'Given the nature of what we do, our clients are often in distress when they reach out to us. They are looking for transparent and straight forward legal advice that can help get results, and Rachel’s legal experience and intrinsic understanding of education law means she is perfectly placed to help.
'Likewise Shea, Emily, Clara, Mia and Elena have all demonstrated skills well beyond what would usually be expected for people with their level of experience and will further enhance the skills of our existing, national public Law division. it is a real privilege to have them on board.'
Sarah continued: 'We have seen a real increase in demand for our services in recent years, and are always interested in speaking with those who are passionate about the rights of individuals - particularly children - who might be interested in joining the team.'
Image caption (Left to Right) - Shea Kelly, Mia Cappabianca, Elena Funnell, Clara Jenkins & Rachel Scales.




