Newport-based law firm, HardingEvans has promoted four of its solicitors to senior associate and associate roles, demonstrating its investment in staff progression.

Lauren Watkins, 34, and 33-year old Sara Uren, have both been promoted to senior associates within the clinical negligence department, with Darren Bishop, 30, being promoted to associate in the crime team, and Danielle Howell, 29, promoted to associate in the clinical negligence team.

Lauren, from Usk, joined HardingEvans 11 years ago after completing her LPC at the University of West of England in Bristol.

Fluent Welsh speaker Sara, originally from Port Talbot, joined the practice 10 years ago on completion of her LPC at Cardiff University.

Both have followed similar paths within HardingEvans, undertaking paralegal work within the firm first, before moving into and developing their specialism within the clinical negligence department, where they manage varied and complex caseloads for a number of clients.

Upon completing their training contracts within the firm, both went on to secure newly qualified positions within the clinical negligence team and have progressed within their roles to associate and now their most recent promotions to senior associates.

Both Sara and Lauren see a bright future at HardingEvans and will now join the firm’s Pathway to Partnership programme, where they will be mentored by senior members of the firm in the hope of one day becoming partners.

Danielle Howell, who will take the role of associate within the clinical negligence department, completed her LPC at Cardiff Law School in 2010 and joined HardingEvans in November 2014 as an assistant solicitor in the clinical negligence department having joined from another law firm.

She manages a range of medical negligence claims, including dental negligence, delay in diagnosis of cancer claims, surgical errors, and avoidable deaths and fatal accidents claims.

Also promoted to associate is Darren Bishop from the crime department. Darren joined the firm in 2011 after completing his LPC at Cardiff University in 2010.

Darren is a highly competent criminal defence lawyer, whilst completing his training contract he also attained his Higher Rights of Audience, Police Station Accreditation and is Duty Solicitor accredited too. As an associate, Darren will continue to work on a number of criminal defence cases as well as assisting in managing the department and helping to further grow the firm’s profile.

The announcement comes after the recent promotion of partners Siobhan Downes from the care team, and Ben Jenkins from the dispute resolution team.

Joy Phillips, practice director at HardingEvans, said: “Developing and retaining staff is one of our top priorities as a firm, and this is reflected in our commitment to promote from within, ensuring that the investment we make in our staff produces good results in the future.

“Lauren, Sara, Darren, and Danielle have all shown commitment and dedication to the firm and our clients. As senior associates, Lauren and Sara will now be placed on our Pathway to Partnership programme to guide them to the next level of their careers, and will be key in supporting our retention and development of young talent.”