Coles Miller Solicitors is celebrating two promotions and the arrival of three new trainees.

Clare Bland has qualified as a solicitor and joined the Wills and Probate team at the firm’s Poole office.

She  joined Coles Miller after gaining a graduate diploma in law and achieving a ‘merit’ on the Legal Practice Course (both at Bournemouth University).

Georgianna Kaya – also at Coles Miller’s Poole office – has completed her Level 6 CILEx Graduate Fast-track Diploma to become a Chartered Legal Executive, specialising in residential conveyancing.

She was formerly a receptionist at Coles Miller, becoming legal secretary to conveyancing Partner Jason Barnett. Georgianna gained her law degree with honours through the Open University, studying for six years while working full-time at Coles Miller.

The three new trainees are:

• Ben Murley, Wills and Probate, Broadstone office
• Kieran Short, Family Law, Broadstone office
• Patrick Herklots, Residential Leasehold, Bournemouth office.

Roger Leedham, Senior Partner, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Clare and Georgianna have qualified after many hard years of study and training.

“We’re very proud of our record of developing valued people like Clare and Georgianna who are real assets to our team. We’re also delighted to welcome Ben, Kieran and Patrick as trainees and wish them well.

“All this bodes well for the future of our firm – we hope they all enjoy long and successful careers with us,” he added.

Adrian Cormack, Managing Partner, said: “The firm places huge emphasis on the development and training of staff. Evidence of this is that half the present Partners trained and qualified with the firm.

“We’re proud of the training we provide. We take on three or four trainees every year and have a very successful record of retaining them.”