An experienced legal expert has landed a top job with a leading law firm.

Sam Lyon, 39, has joined Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, which has its head office in Carlisle, as head of corporate and commercial.

Sam, who has senior experience at both Burnetts and Cumberland Building Society, says he is looking forward to working with businesses of all types.

He said: “I’m really excited to be starting a new role with Cartmell Shepherd.

"It’s a well-respected and genuinely progressive law firm, with a culture of delivering exceptional legal services through an authentic personal approach.”

Sam has knowledge of both the legal world - he was previously a corporate partner at Burnetts Solicitors in Carlisle where he worked for 10 years - and the business world, as head of legal at Cumberland Building Society.

He said: “My experience of the Cumbrian business community over the last 16 years is that our businesses can get the vast majority of the advice they need right here, locally on their doorstep.

“They don’t necessarily need to go to big city firms.

"In most situations, some professional services firms in the county have all the experience and expertise needed.

“The added-value I bring is my own first-hand commercial and strategic experience gained from executive roles in industry, which allows me to deliver truly holistic legal business advice and solutions to my clients in Cumbria and beyond.”

Sam grew up in Cumbria and attended Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton, before going on to study law and accountancy at Newcastle University and two years ago completing a Masters in Leadership and Management at Loughborough University.

Peter Stafford, managing director of Cartmell Shepherd, said: "It’s great news for Cartmell Shepherd and even better news for all the clients who are going to benefit from Sam’s expertise. We are also extremely excited that Sam will be linking up with our head of employment law and HR Joanne Stronach who is highly respected for her work with businesses and who Sam knows from his time when they worked together at Burnetts."