Criminal lawyer Andy adds experience to the ranks as he joins East Midlands law firm Smith Partnership

Andy Cash, who has more than 42 years’ experience in the industry and is extremely well known in Derby’s legal circles, has joined the firm as a solicitor in its crime department.

It is the latest staging post in a career which began in Devon in 1979, followed by Andy’s arrival in Derby, via a stint in Hong Kong, in 1986, when he joined city firm Eddowes Waldron, where he later became a partner.

Ten years later he joined fellow city firm Nelsons as a partner and was most recently a director for Derby law firm Cartwright King, before taking up his new role at Smith Partnership this month.

The firm, which has six offices across the East Midlands, including its headquarters in Friar Gate, is unusual in that it offers criminal law and criminal defence alongside a full range of other services, including private work such as family law, wills and probate, and corporate law services including commercial property, dispute resolution and debt recovery.

And it was this all-round capability which attracted Andy to his new role, along with the opportunity to continue representing clients in court and in criminal proceedings at police stations.

He said: “I’ve never lost my love of representing people in court or as a duty solicitor at the police station, where clients need someone to clarify their position at the heart of the criminal investigation, even if they start off believing they don’t need a lawyer on their side.

“That can make a huge difference and i’m looking forward to continuing that work, as well as dealing with clients accused of motoring offences.

“I’m also looking forward to working for a full-service firm because i can recommend clients to other experts if they have any other legal issues facing them.”

Andrew Oldroyd, partner of the firm and head of the crime department at Smith Partnership’s Derby office, said: “Andy is hugely experienced and has an excellent reputation locally, so naturally we are delighted to welcome him to Smith Partnership.

“I remember how helpful Andy was back when I was newly qualified and everyone in the Derby law sector knows him. He will now be able to nurture our younger lawyers in the department, ensuring that we can continue to offer a quality criminal law service.”