Can you tell us a bit about your career to date?
I qualified as a solicitor as a mature student, going back to college part-time while also working part-time and looking after my young family. I did my training contract at a niche law firm in London which specialised in working with GPs and dentists and I have stayed working with those sectors ever since. I moved to the North East in 2011.
What attracted you to join Sintons?
I often came across Sintons in the course of my work. The firm is obviously well known in the North East legal market but also has a strong reputation nationally for its healthcare and primary care work. I was looking for a change from my previous roles and Sintons was an obvious choice.
What does your role involve?
I provide advice on a range of corporate and commercial legal matters for the GP and dental sectors. As these sectors are heavily regulated, there are strict rules governing what they are permitted to do in the course of their business and those rules are constantly changing, which makes for a busy work life. My work includes preparing partnership agreements, advising on corporate structures and governance for primary care networks and federations, handling practice mergers, sales and acquisitions, advising on arrangements for collaborative working at scale and advising on NHS primary care contracting regulations.
What have been your personal highlights to date, both personal and professional?
Professionally, my promotion to partner was a big highlight and receiving positive testimonials from happy clients is always pleasing – a particular highlight was a GP client telling me the partnership agreement I’d prepared was a “surprisingly good read”! I have two adult sons, and a recent personal highlight was my older son getting married to his childhood sweetheart, with my younger son singing at the reception.
How does Sintons differ from other firms you have worked in?
I’ve found Sintons to be very friendly and collaborative and with a deep-seated understanding of the healthcare sector, which is important to me given my role. Compared to some other firms in the post-Covid era, the office is always busy and vibrant, and I’ve really enjoyed the buzz of working in that environment.
What are your interests outside of work?
I’d like to say that I have some exciting and adventurous interests, but in truth I have very simple pleasures – walking, reading, crochet, food and wine – and enjoying live music when I get the chance.
