What is your role in the private client team and how long have you been at Sintons?
I am an associate and I joined the firm in December 2015, so I have been here almost three years now.
Tell us about your career to date…
I began my career at a highly-regarded law firm in Chester and North Wales. I then moved to work in South Manchester and worked at a firm with several offices across the North West, before returning to my native North East in 2013. Since moving back, I have worked at an international law firm in Newcastle before finally moving to Sintons.
What attracted you to join Sintons?
The reputation of its private client team is excellent, as is the firm’s reputation as a whole. It is held in very high regard by clients and fellow lawyers alike. I was particularly impressed by the dedication and support that the firm showed, and continues to show, to growing the private client team. Not all firms value private client work in the same way.
What does your role involve?
My work involves the drafting of wills including bespoke wills for business owners and high net worth individuals, drafting lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) which include safeguarding provisions intended to prevent abuse, administering estates which typically involve the deceased owning several properties, high valued assets, business interests and agricultural land, establishing and administering personal injury trusts, and assisting in complex Court of Protection applications. I am a member of the firm’s neurotrauma team, which involves acting for people who have suffered serious injuries. This leads to complex applications having to be made to the Court of Protection.
I am a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and I am also an associate member of Solicitors for the Elderly. These are prestigious credentials to have as a private client solicitor.
As a senior member of the team, I handle a sizeable caseload alongside supervising others in the team and carrying out business development activities. I am the supervisor for two of my fellow team members and support them with their own caseload and personal development. Furthermore, I really enjoy the opportunity to develop the profile of our team, and regularly attend and organise events on behalf of the team and the firm.
What have been your personal highlights to date?
My promotion to associate having only been at Sintons for a short amount of time was a big highlight. It is also of great personal satisfaction that clients who were with me at previous firms, including from when I qualified 10 years ago, have followed me to Sintons – client service is all-important to me, so that makes me feel I am doing a good job for them.
The private client team is one of the most highly-rated in the North of England. What are the advantages of being part of it?
The team is very personable, easy to work with and technically brilliant. We offer an excellent legal service to clients and our personal service is renowned. It’s great to be part of a team with such a strong reputation in the marketplace. The fact that Sintons is a full service firm is also very important, as we are able to assist on the private client aspects of matters that are being dealt with by other departments – it is a big advantage for the client to have everything handled by one firm on one single site.
How does Sintons differ from other firms you have worked in?
The firm is dynamic and very encouraging. It has supported all of my aims when it comes to personal development. There is a great atmosphere here which makes it a very nice place to work. The close co-operation between departments is great and ensures we offer a joined-up approach, resulting in an excellent service to clients. The level of personal service we offer to clients at Sintons is really outstanding and I can say is definitely above and beyond what other firms routinely offer.
What are your interests outside of work?
I have two young children who keep me very busy, and we are about to add a puppy to our family so I expect to become even busier! Aside from precious family time, I enjoy going to the gym, cooking (I am a slave to Masterchef and the Bake off!) and gardening.
