THERE'S a new face at Worcester law firm SME Solicitors, where Claire Bentick has been appointed an associate solicitor in the litigation department.

Mrs Bentick, who originally trained as a criminal defence lawyer, retrained as a commercial lawyer and joins the Sansome Walk-based SME after six years working at Else Solicitors in Burton and Birmingham.

As part of the SME litigation team, she will use her extensive expertise across a varied case load, which includes contract disputes, professional negligence claims, property disputes, banking litigation and some insolvency.

Mrs Bentick said: "This is a great move for me, coming at an exciting time in my career as well as during a period of growth at SME. Having been involved in a number of organisations including the Association of Women Solicitors, Birmingham Best Practice and BNI, all of which I have held managerial roles or roles of responsibility, I am looking forward to developing relationships with the thriving Worcestershire business community, as I develop my position here.”