Like so many relationships, it began with an ad in the Gazette. ‘Articles, or training contracts, were hard to come by when I finished university,’ recalls Edinburgh-born Richard Nelson, ‘but I saw an advert in the Law Society Gazette for a trainee position at Portnell Ward & Rose. My grandmother was from Whitley Chapel so I thought at the very least it would be nice to visit Hexham again for the interview.’
Nelson has now retired as senior partner after 42 years with the same Tyne Valley firm. He not only got the job but became a junior partner within four years. He played a key role in the firm’s growth as it became Nicholson Portnell in 2002. He also led it through a major merger with Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors in 2024.
‘It was from that point that I knew I didn’t want to move away from the firm or the area. I can honestly say that there’s never been a time when I wanted to work elsewhere,’ he said.
‘You are never going to go through working life without experiencing tough times, but I have loved representing the people of Hexham and the wider Tyne Valley, and it’s been the perfect place to live, work and raise my family.’
Nelson is looking forward to travelling, gardening and looking after his five grandchildren in his retirement.
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