PRIVATE CLIENT SPECIALIST
I completed a bachelor of arts degree in fine art printmaking at Brighton University, so it was as much a surprise to me as anyone that I ended up becoming a lawyer. After graduating I began doing temporary administration jobs at various firms in Kent, where I am from, and was sent on an assignment at what was then Cripps Harries Hall. My time inputting data in a basement room must have impressed somebody as I stayed on doing office administration and later paralegal work in the large Private Client team at the Tunbridge Wells office, then the London office. When the motherland called home my Yorkshire born husband and we relocated to Leeds, a job as a legal assistant at the firm that was then Nelson & Co Solicitors allowed me to begin my training as a Chartered Legal Executive and I qualified as a lawyer. I have since completed a further diploma with the Society of Trust & Estate Practioners to become a specialist a Trust & Estate Practitioner.
I have only ever worked in Private Client law, which I absolutely love. I get to deal with individual clients and have the privilege of being trusted to give legal advice to people who may be experiencing huge life challenges such as a bereavement or a catastrophic injury. The nature of my practice area means that I often advise clients who may have little or no experience of lawyers. Law is for everyone, so my job is to understand the details of the law and dispense that into something accessible to my clients.
I have a particular expertise in Court of Protection and Personal Injury Trust law. Before joining Legal Studio, I spent 18 years at Clarion Solicitors in Leeds, developing my specialism and eventually creating and heading up the Court of Protection & PI Trust team. I advise clients and their families on all aspects of Court of Protection law, such as the appointment of a deputy and other applications to the Court, including statutory wills. I have years of experience in creating and administering high value personal injury trusts, which often involves taking my place amongst other professionals such as a personal injury litigation team, case managers, care workers and therapists to support the person who has been injured.
Outside of work, my husband and I are employed as personal assistants to the children to ensure they get to a long list of social and sporting engagements. When they allow us time off my lovely, rather enormous, dog and I like to walk in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside before dutifully supporting our local brewery by calling in for a pint of ale brewed right on our doorstep.