I started at MWB in 2021 as an LSA, I then became a Paralegal in the Private Client team in June 2022.
Before starting at MWB, I worked as a manager for B&B hotels where I discovered my passion for helping people and I knew I wanted to work directly with people.
I also studied law at University of Kent, which I enjoyed. So, when I saw the opportunity to join MWB as a LSA I saw it as a perfect chance to progress my legal career path.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
I love working with my team and meeting new clients every day. I’m often the first contact a client has to the firm, and I love to see the matter through to completion. It’s really satisfying to help people sort through their thoughts and needs into a working plan for their future!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to work on classic cars, I have just bought a Toyota MR2 1996, and she is beautiful! I also like to Ski and snowboard whenever I get the opportunity!
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.
Caroline is over 20 years qualified initially working in personal injury litigation. She then developed an interest in Private Client moving into this area and further specialising with the society of trust and estate practitioners, STEP contentious probate and studying for ACTAPs qualification.
Caroline is chair of Headway Kent a charity focusing on social rehabilitation for people with brain injury Caroline was educated locally and at Sussex university for the law conversion course and has worked in Kent and London.
Caroline enjoys open water swimming and is taking part in the Henley swimming marathon (14k). She also enjoys paddle boarding, walking and climbing.
I have worked in the private client department for over 20 years.
I started as an office junior, went on to be a secretary, an assistant and then decided to qualify as a Legal Executive. When I started studying to become a Legal Executive I never thought that I would fall pregnant 6 months in, so I studied whilst raising my son, which was a challenge in itself!
I have recently (June 2023) qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive. I feel as though through working my way up I have learnt many different areas and aspects of the job.
I like that I am able to help and support people when they are going through an extremely difficult time and help to alleviate some of the pressures that this brings.
Outside of work, I like to go on walks and spend time with my family and friends.
Following a successful career of over twenty-five years within the hospitality industry, I decided to return to education when my son started college.
I graduated from the University of Sussex with a 2:1 in Law in 2019 and I am currently studying for my LPC and masters at the University of Law.
I started working for MWB in January 2021 as a legal support assistant before moving to the Private Client department as a paralegal in September 2021.
Private Client is a varied area of law of which I believe matches my personal attributes. As a compassionate person, I find that I can provide reassurance to our clients when they feel anxious or overwhelmed when dealing with their private client matters.
I love dancing and listening to music. I love to travel and cannot wait to go abroad again.
I have over 10 years’ experience in Court of Protection work and working with vulnerable clients.
I qualified as a Solicitor in April 2019.
What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?
The workload is so varied so no day will ever be the same. I like being able to communicate with vulnerable clients and be part of their lives on a long-term basis. This also involves having close contact with their nearest and dearest.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
The best thing about my role is knowing it makes a difference to the client. Whether that is helping them to sort out their finances and make it more manageable for them or leading a major project in their life.
What does a typical day look like for you?
There is no typical day in this area of work which is what I love! The workload is so varied which keeps me on my toes.
What are your strengths and skills?
I am very organised and I feel you definitely need to be in this area of work!
Tell me about a memorable time when you have helped a client.
There are so many times that I wouldn’t be able to pick a particular one out. The best result for me is ensuring that my client’s best interests are met, in whatever way possible. I try to achieve this regardless of the obstacles that crop up.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending time with my family and friends and my passion is cooking and trying out dishes of different cultures, whether they are sweet or savoury.
What attracted, and keeps you in this area of law?
I always wanted to be a solicitor so after studying in London and Paris, I qualified in a small high street firm in Shoreham by Sea in 1999. There I had a taste of a number of different areas of law and financial advice. After qualifying, I worked in financial services in London for a while but found I missed the personal connection with my clients, so returned to law at Mayo Wynne Baxter in 2003. Writing a Will involves fully understanding what a client needs and preparing the right Will to suit them. Helping a grieving relative navigate the probate process, and share their burden is an immense privilege.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
It’s a cliché, but other than my colleagues, the best thing about my job is my clients. Every day is different. Dealing with the loss of a loved one or contemplating one’s own mortality is hard. To have a client say “that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be” is a lovely feeling. I am currently head of the department and am enjoying being able to help shape the future of the team and watching the more junior members progress. I work with a network of excellent financial and tax advisers and accountants to ensure that my clients get great all-round advice.
What are your particular strengths and skills?
Possibly strangely for a solicitor, I am good at maths and really enjoy preparing accounts, showing what funds have been received and paid out during the administration of an estate. I take time to talk with my clients to work out what they actually want, to create the right Will, Power of Attorney or even to decide to do nothing. I like solving problems and getting things done. And I especially enjoy saving my clients from paying unnecessary tax. When I decided to specialise in this area, I became a member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners which is a worldwide organisation of experts in this area. I now sit on the Sussex STEP committee. I am very positive, and passionate about the importance to everyone to have a Will. I have done presentations in retirement and care homes, to charity supporters, to bank customers, and even to the WI to spread the word.
Tell me about a memorable time when you’ve helped a client
I hope I help all my clients, but some unusual situations do spring to mind.
- I remember one client who was in danger of losing her house when her partner died unexpectedly without a Will. We helped keep the family in their home.
- On a number of occasions, I have visited clients in hospital to prepare Wills, giving them peace to know their loved ones will be supported.
- One of my clients had over 100 individual shareholdings and certificates that we had to sort and sell.
- One of the most complex I have been involved with as a gentleman whose uncle died without a Will. His estate went to his sister, who sadly died shortly afterwards. The uncle had 2 businesses, several shareholdings, and 3 properties. At the same time, we are dealing with a claim that a fraudulent Will exists.
- Recently we helped a local client claim heritage asset relief against Inheritance Tax, saving an important painting for a local museum.
What would your colleagues say about you?
That I am straight talking. But I talk a lot. And I will always try and help the rest of the team.
Outside of work
I like to spend time with my family and I even try to cram in a good book when I have the time!
Ganesh joined us in May 2019 and she is currently working in the East Grinstead office in the Private Client department as a Solicitor. Ganesh is responsible for drafting Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the administration of estates after someone has passed away.
She started her career in accountancy and business administration but with a passion for law, she completed her Law degree at the University of Surrey, qualifying in 2017. Before joining the firm, she trained and worked in the Private Client and Conveyancing departments of a high street firm in Surrey.
Outside of work, Ganesh enjoys swimming, sightseeing and travelling abroad.