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Melanie read law at King's College London and was then recruited by Herbert Smith LLP (now Herbert Smith Freehills) as a trainee solicitor. After being admitted as a solicitor in 2001, she was retained by Herbert Smith as a solicitor in their litigation department and reached the level of senior associate. She was located at their London office for seven years and advised and acted upon a wide range of commercial and real estate disputes. Melanie left private practice to become a director at DG Legal, a specialist management consultancy practice where she provides advice and assistance in relation to legal practice management, compliance, risk and quality assurance. She also assists firms in setting up legal practices and submitting applications to the SRA for regulatory approval and provides assistance with ongoing compliance including firms' COLP and COFA obligations. As a non-practising solicitor, she also calls on her litigation experience to advise on practical issues arising from disputes and in particular those relating to Legal Aid contracting, assessment and audit appeals, procurement and regulatory compliance. Melanie is also a Director of Legal Voice, the not-for-profit online magazine for legal professionals.