Cara joined MWB in Autumn 2024, bringing a wealth of in-house experience from her years at a multinational IT research company. There, she advised UK and EMEA-based HR Partners on complex employee relations matters. Cara later transitioned to an employment advisor role, where she expanded her expertise by working with small and medium-sized businesses, advising across the full spectrum of employment law issues.
Since 2018, Cara has focused exclusively on employment law, and she qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in September 2023. Known for her balanced approach, Cara delivers thorough, commercially minded employment advice, always keeping her clients’ needs and priorities at the forefront.
Cara is passionate about mentoring and is committed to supporting junior colleagues and aspiring lawyers. As a proud advocate of the CILEX route, she believes that a legal career should be accessible to everyone.
In her spare time, Cara enjoys relaxing with her dog, Monty, caring for her unique assortment of pets, and keeping up with the latest Netflix series. She also actively supports a local dog shelter, volunteering and participating in fundraising efforts throughout the year.
I initially wanted to study computer science and psychology, but in my year out I worked for the Crown Prosecution Service and became fascinated with law. I sat and passed the Executive Office Board and exam when I was 19 and worked as a law clerk instructing counsel in the crown court.
I read law at the University of Sussex, followed by the LPC at Guildford College of Law where I discovered the law of trusts and equity and private client work.
I qualified as a criminal solicitor with the CPS, defended and worked for the magistrates’ court after which I was able to make the leap into Private Client work.
I worked for MWB over 20 years ago before taking a career break to raise my three children. I returned to work as a private client solicitor for a local firm in Arundel whilst my children were small.
When MWB opened their Chichester Office, I was thrilled to be invited to re-join them. Whilst the firm has changed and grown over the years, there are still some familiar faces. What has remained constant is their vision, passion and warmth for their clients and colleagues.
I have over 15 years’ experience in private client work and before I had children sat and passed all the STEP exams and was a member of STEP.
I enjoy helping my clients reach informed decisions in relation to their Wills. There is no such thing as an ordinary family or estate. The drafting of documents is easier than the decision making. I also understand that the administration of estates can be very traumatic and is part of the grieving process so try to shoulder the burden for my clients when I can.
At weekends I can either be found freezing whilst my daughter is ice skating, or in the summer scoring the odd cricket match for my sons.
Occasionally, when we can escape, my husband and I can be found at the theatre or walking in Arundel Park.
Before joining MWB as a result of the merger in Autumn 2023, Nicola co-founded Pure Employment Law Solicitors in 2010.
She qualified as a solicitor in 2002 and gained experience in employment law at two of the South East’s leading law firms. In 2006 she received a Distinction in her Masters degree in Law and Employment Relations. She has expertise in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, dismissal, breach of contract, pay and benefits and family-friendly rights.
Nicola provides strategic HR and employment law support to a wide range of organisations and helps her clients deal with major projects such as restructuring exercises and transfers of undertakings. She is also an experienced Employment Tribunal advocate.
Nicola regularly presents at seminars and workshops on employment law and enjoys delivering interactive training sessions.
Nicola has been ranked for many years now as a leading employment lawyer in ‘Chambers UK, A Client’s Guide to the Legal Profession’ Nicola is a member of the Employment Lawyers’ Association, is a former President of Chichester & District Law Society, and has many years’ experience as a governor at two local schools.