Leading law firm Banner Jones Solicitors has announced the further expansion of its award-winning Care Proceedings team in Chesterfield with the appointment of Solicitor Melanie Hoffman.

Melanie joins the team with over 10 years’ experience and a specialist background in criminal defence proceedings.

Mel is a well-respected trial advocate and has many years’ experience in managing complex cases involving expert evidence, in addition to robustly defending her clients in court.  Mel’s emphasis on personally conducting all aspects of her clients’ matter in summary cases has provided her with extensive experience in making sure that the rights of some of the most vulnerable members of the community are protected.  She has a particular interest in those mental health and learning difficulties, including parents with substance misuse problems.

In her previous role in criminal defence, Mel vigorously defended all types of matters and brings to her new role a forensic approach.  Mel is relishing the challenge of developing her practice in the field of children law and child protection, “I have concentrated upon protecting the rights of some of the most vulnerable members of our community and this is never more important than when trying to ensure that children can safely remain within their families”.  Mel will be working alongside Peter Jones at the firm’s Chesterfield office.  Peter continues to work as a consultant with the firm and has over thirty years’ experience in the field of family law and child protection.

Vince Beckworth, Head of Care at Banner Jones Solicitors commented: “The safeguarding of children is at the heart of what we do.  The team at Banner Jones firmly believe that all families should have the chance to remain together where it is safe for children to do so and access to legal advice for those dealing with Social Care and Local Authority Children’s Services is a vital safeguard.  The pandemic has put families and local authorities under pressure like never before and we are able to help parents and other family members by advising and protecting their rights.  Mel’s mastery of detail and her sympathetic approach are an asset and valuable addition to our team.  Mel has over a decade of experience in robustly defending  her clients in some of the most stressful situations.  I am sure that Mel will fast become a respected and popular member of our team.

The appointment of Melanie shows our continued commitment to ensuring that families across the East Midlands have the support they need, and our team now currently stands at one of the largest in the region.”