I am currently based at the firm’s Seaford and Lewes offices heading up our specialist Attorney Affairs Team within the Private Client Department and managing a portfolio of Attorney Affairs; Estate Administration; Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney matters.

My experienced team undertakes general management of our vulnerable clients’ financial affairs where we have been appointed as Attorneys and also assists lay Attorneys in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.

I have been with Mayo Wynne Baxter for over twenty-six years and contributed several years as a legal secretary before training and qualifying whilst working as a legal advisor. I am a proud CILEX Lawyer, having achieved a Professional Diploma in Law and a Professional Higher Diploma in Probate Law and Practice, Equity and Trust Law and Family Law and becoming a CILEX Fellow in 2012. I was promoted to Associate in April 2017 and Partner in 2022.

I am dedicated to building strong and trusting relationships with all my clients, particularly when working with the elderly and vulnerable community. I am passionate about helping people through difficult times and my starting place with clients is always to consider what I would want for my own relatives. I enjoy getting to know my clients so that all decisions can be based around their individual personalities and needs. I am a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and a registered ‘Dementia Friend’ via The Alzheimer’s Society.

Alongside client work, I am also a Wellbeing Champion for my colleagues and oversee learning and development for the Private Client Department. I am heavily involved with the firm’s trainee Lawyers and love watching new talent succeed and go on to do wonderful things in their careers. Outside of work, I’m mostly outdoors in the fresh air, balancing a busy family of boys with their various sporting commitments and a very energetic Spaniel, so it’s a good job I’m an organised person!

I am a Paralegal in the Private Client Team based at the firm’s Eastbourne office, where I have worked for over 11 years. Whilst I have experience in all areas of Private Client work, latery I have worked more specifically in relation to attorney affairs work within our specialist team.

My role is assisting clients with the running of their personal affairs in order to try and make their lives easier at a time when they are either unable to do so themselves or no longer wish to.

I enjoy helping people, building relationships with clients and understanding more about their lives, past and present. It also allows me to indulge my love of organisation.

I have three children and when I find some time for myself I enjoy a spa day or a West End show and cocktails!

I was introduced to the world of law when I joined a local firm as a receptionist in 2015. I have worked in the Private Client Department since 2016, 4 years of which were spent specialising in Estate Administration matters. In January 2022 I obtained a specialist Paralegal qualification in Wills, Probate and Administration with the University of Law, and I am currently studying towards my CILEX Professional Qualification.

What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?

By nature, the work we do in the Private Client Department is highly personal and can arise from very difficult circumstances for our clients. I love being able to help see clients through these matters and to make the processes easier for them. The confidence our clients put in us is a great privilege and makes the work we do all that more rewarding. I have personal experience with Dementia and am a registered ‘Dementia Friend’ via The Alzheimer’s Society.

What are your strengths and skills?

I understand how important it is for our clients to have trust in us, and I always aim to build those trusting relationships based on empathy, transparency, and dedication. I pride myself on being organised, and I love a good spreadsheet!

What do you like to do outside of work?

In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, cooking, playing video games and keeping up with the football.

Qualifying in 1995, I am a Chartered Legal Executive with a varied background, spending the last five years specialising in private client practice.

I pride myself on my personable and friendly approach – understanding the importance of putting people at ease and appreciating that some people may feel anxious or stressed at the prospect of consulting a lawyer – often at a difficult time in their lives. I consider it a privilege to deal with someone’s personal affairs.

I have a particular interest and have experience of – professional and personal – helping people and families living with dementia.

Married with two grown-up children and a dog, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and regularly go to the theatre to see a play or a musical.