Wards Solicitors’ Rebecca Parkman – marking quarter of a century in Weston-super-Mare

Born and bred in Weston-super-Mare, Wards Solicitors' Rebecca Parkman is celebrating 25 years as a qualified solicitor, living and working in the heart of this bustling seaside town.

Rebecca, now a partner in Wards Solicitors and a key member of the Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team and a deputyship specialist, qualified on 1 October 1992 after two years articled to her father, Ian Jerram, who was senior partner in Alletsons Solicitors, also based in the town.

Part of the community

Rebecca recalls: "Alletsons was a small family firm and I was lucky to receive a broad training in a number of areas of law.

"I stayed at the firm after qualifying, and really enjoyed high street work and being part of the community in my home town. I particularly liked the continuity of working for successive generations of the many families who used the firm.

"I went on specialise in wills, probate and mental capacity work, which fitted well with my love of working with elderly and vulnerable clients. I became a partner and also became involved in running the business side of the firm."

Moving within Weston

In 2004, Rebecca's father's firm merged with Wards Solicitors in Weston-super-Mare, enabling it to offer a broader range of services to its clients locally. She moved to its offices on The Boulevard where she became a partner and where she has been based for the last 14 years.

Rebecca adds: "I still live in Weston-super-Mare with my family and celebrated my 25th anniversary by taking and passing the Solicitors for the Elderly, Older Client Care in Practice (OCCP) Award before toasting all my colleagues with a cup of tea and a piece of homemade cake at our office's Macmillan Coffee morning."