Lupton promotes non-lawyer to associate

Leeds firm Lupton Fawcett has promoted one of its former secretaries to associate, capping off an unconventional career path for marketing manager Jackie Parkhill.

Parkhill joined the firm 10 years ago as a temporary secretary on a one-month contract. She returned as a permanent secretary, moving to the marketing team after 18 months.

Parkhill is the firm's fifth non-lawyer to bag a senior role at the firm, along with IT manager Shaun Denham.

Marketing director Richard Marshall said: "We take the career progression of our non-lawyers as seriously as our lawyers'."

Parkhill believes hard work was the key to her rise. "It certainly helps to have a good boss," she said. "Since I joined I've had a very good progression within the firm.

"It's about doing the hard work and getting the rewards."