Val Steavenson

Co-opted Member

Val Steavenson

Val Wormald retired from full time practice in July 2021 , after 40 years as a full time practising solicitor and partner / director with Carr and Co.

Following graduating with an LLB at Leeds Uni in 1978, she did her articles in Manchester with Goldberg Blackburn, primarily doing legal aid criminal and family work.

In 1981, when she qualified, of those having a practicing certificate, only 10% were female.

In 1984 she moved to the North East where she joined a sole practitioner working in Blyth. Times were then turbulent with the miners strike and other unrest. However the local practitioners were so welcoming and helpful. Many a time assistance was needed with the dialect!

She subsequently became an equity partner / director of the firm as it evolved over the following  years, having now been an all female equity practice for some years.

Many things have changed over the past 40 years both in terms of how firms are managed as well as the legal changes to our work. 

There is much still to do for all those who wish to access the profession as well as those who wish to progress. Now that she has more time,  Val  wishes to do what she can to assist the local law society in achieving these goals.