Meet the Wills, Trusts & Estates Team with Caitlin Edwards

What is your role in the Wills, Trusts & Estates team and how long have you been at Sintons?

I am a paralegal and joined the firm in October 2021.

Tell us about your career to date…

I graduated from Durham University with a law degree in 2021 and joined the firm shortly after. There are quite a few lawyers in my family so I’ve always been attracted to a legal career – in fact, my Uncle Paul very kindly gave me my first ever work experience in criminal law aged 16 and has provided me with lots of advice and wisdom since.

What attracted you to join Sintons?

Sintons has an excellent reputation as one of the leading law firms in the North East so naturally this attracted me to the firm. I also knew that the quality of work I would be exposed to would be unrivalled.

What does your role involve?

I work in the Court of Protection team and help manage the day-to-day affairs of our clients who lack the capacity to manage their property and financial affairs. My role within the team is incredibly varied and involves anything from drafting applications to the Court to overseeing building and adaptation works to our clients’ homes – no two days are the same!

I work closely with the firm’s Neurotrauma team on catastrophic injury cases where a Deputy is required and have developed an excellent understanding of managing files where a client has an ongoing personal injury case.

I am also a member of the firms CSR committee and work alongside other members of the committee to raise awareness and money for our charity of the year, which this year is The People’s Kitchen.

What have been your personal highlights to date?

In July 2022, I secured a training contract at Sintons to commence in September 2024. I am so excited to be a Sintons trainee!

The award-winning Wills, Trusts & Estates team is one of the most highly-rated in the North of England. What are the advantages of being part of it?

The people! I have the best colleagues I could possibly ask for. Entering the legal profession straight out of university was incredibly nerve wracking but immediately I was welcomed into the team with open arms.

My supervisor, Sophie Moore is fantastic and has supported me in managing my own case load and developing my Court of Protection knowledge. I have had the opportunity to work on a range of Court of Protection matters, including complex statutory will applications, as well as the day-to-day management of complex Deputy matters.

How does Sintons differ from other firms you have worked in?

Every person in the firm genuinely wants to see you succeed and progress and will help you in any way they can, which creates a very supportive working environment.

What are your interests outside of work?

Outside of work I volunteer with Smart Works Newcastle, which is a fantastic charity that supports women into employment in the North East, as well as The People’s Kitchen, who provide thousands of hot meals to those in need each week.

I am also the Treasurer of the Newcastle and North East Junior Lawyers Division.

Ahead of my training contract, I am undertaking the Legal Practice Course part-time.