A criminal lawyer with a passion for working with young offenders and the youth courts has joined Williamsons Solicitors in Hull.

Katherine Schofield has worked on a number of high profile cases in Hull and east Yorkshire, including murder, conspiracy and serious assault.

She joins Hull and East Yorkshire’s leading defence advocacy department which operates from offices in Hull, Bridlington and Driffield, employs a growing team of 17, including six solicitors and three police station representatives.

Ms Schofield’s interest in youth offending and youth court stems from her studies at Loughborough University, where she graduated with a BA degree in social policy and politics and an MSc in politics and international relations.

“I feel it’s an area of law where I can help make a difference at an early stage in people’s lives, with offenders who are younger. The social aspects of listening and seeing what is going on in young people’s lives and trying to come up with solutions to those problems can be challenging but also extremely satisfying.

“Williamsons Solicitors is a large regional criminal law firm with an excellent reputation in criminal law and I’ve joined a very experienced team who will, I hope, mentor me as I look to do my Higher Rights of Audience.”

Bill Waddington, director and head of Williamsons Solicitors criminal law department, said: “We have a potential star here with Katherine. She is a young, highly skilled solicitor and who brings a wealth of expertise and passion for her role.“

Katherine, 32, who hails from York, but now lives in Hull, joins Williamsons Solicitors from another Hull firm where she worked since 2012.

After completing her MSc in 2006, she studied at the College of Law York, qualifying with a Graduate Diploma in Law in 2008 and a Legal Practice Course in 2009.

She trained and worked in Surrey for three years with the Guildford-based firm of MWA Solicitors, covering crime, prison and military caseloads before moving back to Yorkshire in 2012.

Ms Schofield is an active member of the Junior Lawyers Division, a frequent traveller, including visiting family in Norway, as well as being a keen horse rider.