Celebrating 98 years of legal excellence

12 December 2024 | Team Fishers |

This year we celebrated several work anniversaries from multiple members of the team. Collectively we celebrated 98 years of service from, Jackie Holmes, completing over 23 years, Emma Cook, reaching 20 years’ service this year, Karen Portwain celebrated a huge, 35 years, and both Carolyn Pickering and Lynne Hayles celebrated 10 years this year.

Here’s a spotlight on some of our longest serving employees:

Carolyn Pickerin, Legal secretary - dispute resolution

Do you remember your first day, what was it like?

First days are always a bit nerve racking but everyone was very friendly from the start. I applied to Fishers as a firm local to where I live having worked at a large regional firm in Derby and wanting a less stressful commute. My ten years at Fishers is the longest I have spent in one company!

What have been the most significant changes whilst you have been working here?

Undoubtedly the move to the new offices in 2019 and shortly thereafter the Covid pandemic which has changed peoples working patterns permanently with many people spending more time working from home and conducting meetings remotely.

What is a top tip for achieving such a fantastic work milestone?

Perseverance and dogged determination!

How has your job changed over the years?

We have a lot more personal responsibility now in ensuring compliance with our files and client ID etc. This makes for a much more admin leaning role and is far more time consuming than it ever was before.

What are your aspirations for the future?

Keep on going!

Emma Cook, Legal Secretary - Dispute Resolution

Do you remember your first day, what was it like?

My first day at Fishers was great. Everyone was so lovely, and I knew within about five minutes that I had made the right choice to join the firm!

I joined Fishers because I had moved to Ashby a year previously and had been commuting to Birmingham for that year and had had enough and needed a job nearer home. My stepdad knew Len Southey and he told us there was a job going at Fishers working for Louise Firth (Taylor then). So, I applied and got the job.

Before joining Fishers I worked in Birmingham city centre for Hammond Suddards Solicitors, I loved it but the commute was too much.

What have been the most significant changes whilst you have been working here?

The most significant change has been the change of offices. It was quite an upheaval and I do miss the old office a lot!

What is a top tip for achieving such a fantastic work milestone?

Enjoying what you are doing and getting on well with your colleagues.

How has your job changed over the years?

My job has become a lot busier and more challenging, along with a lot more admin alongside the typing.

What are your aspirations for the future?

 Just to continue doing a good job until I can give up work completely!

Lynne Hayles, Receptionist 

Do you remember your first day, what was it like, why did you decide to join Fishers?

On my first day I felt very nervous but was soon put at ease by my work colleagues who welcomed me and quickly showed me the ropes. My friend saw an advert in the local paper (The Ashby Times) and gave it to me. Fishers have always been a reputable firm in the local area. The role seemed perfect for me as I am very much a people’s person and can chat all day!

At the interview everyone seemed so lovely and friendly but professional, I immediately felt at ease. When I was offered the job, I instantly accepted.

What were you doing before Fishers?

I embarked on a career of hairdressing from the age of 16, I then ran my own mobile hairdressing business from the age of 18. After having children and then them growing up and not needing me around as much, I decided to have a career change and began to make the transition into admin work. I volunteered at my local Citizens Advice Bureau and worked as part of their admin team for nearly two years, where I gained fantastic work experience and skills I could transfer.

What have been the most significant changes whilst you have been working here?

There have been many changes over the years with staff and Directors and the way we work but the biggest changes have been the move into new modern offices. We have also expanded and now have two additional offices in Tamworth and Derby.

What is a top tip for achieving such a fantastic work milestone?

Work hard, but most of all enjoy what you are doing.

How has your job changed over the years?

The time of Covid I had to adapt the way I worked. Working from home like many others, answering the calls so that we could keep the personal contact with clients without seeing them, which was important to myself the clients and Fishers as a company.

What are your aspirations for the future?

To continue to be the first port of call to clients old and new to maintain a friendly, professional welcoming environment to all until I retire.