Associate Litigation Solicitor at Hodge Halsall Solicitors (2025-02 – 2026-01)
- establishing relationships with existing long term clients previously under conduct of the Managing Partner/Head of Litigation. Developing professional relationships with all members of the firm as a senior associate to ensure effective continuance of the ethos of a long established workforce and client base by establishing trust and confidence
- dealing with all new and widely varied litigation enquiries to develop a client base from telephone, email and in person office enquiries which required identifying those with sufficient prospects in respect of both commercial and lay clients on a private paying basis. Providing support in matters during holiday or sickness absences across the firm
- assist Directors in relation to potential litigious matters arising in respect of all departments of the firm as and when necessary, including residential and commercial conveyancing matters, family and probate departments
- communicate proficiently with lay and commercial clients, experts, instructed Counsel and opposing counsel in a professional manner. Preparation of case plans and development of litigation strategies including negotiate settlements on behalf of clients
- attended continuing legal education programs to enhance knowledge and maintain professional competence
Litigation Solicitor; Supervisor; Acting COLP (as required) at Anthony Philip James & Co. Solicitors (2021-11 – 2024-09)
In my role as Supervisor I carried out the following additional responsibilities:
- managing a diverse caseload of 130+, relating to pre-litigation matters, progressing via the Financial Ombudsman Service and/or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme; and, litigated financial mis-selling claims and professional negligence claims progressing via the court process
- conducting thorough case assessments following review of high volumes of disclosure and identifying legal strategies
- considering ADR and mediation and advising clients accordingly
- drafting court proceedings, following court directions, preparing budgets, drafting statements and preparing the case for trial
- collaborating with colleagues and external stakeholders to strengthen case strategies including out of jurisdiction lawyers in respect of pension claims
- undertaking costs benefit analysis and appropriately advising clients on prospects
- identifying and preparing applications for permission for Judicial review as appropriate (R (on the application of Yvonne Fortt) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme Ltd [2022] EWHC 152 (Admin) and R (on the application of Margaret Chong & Ors) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme [2024] EWHC 3374 (Admin))
- assisting the team including London Counsel and colleagues in preparation for a Judicial Review hearing following successful application for permission (R (on the application of Margaret Chong & Ors) v Financial Services Compensation Scheme [2024] EWHC 3374 (Admin))
- reporting to the Board in respect of progression of litigated matters
- reviewing financial mis-selling cases to ensure compliance with file management procedures, adequate progression and accurate advice being provided to clients throughout
- identifying and appropriately investigating all conflicts, complaints and potential acts of negligence and ensuring they are reported immediately to the COLP where appropriate
- to provide feedback to the file handler and direction for corrective action where required
- providing team members with relevant legal updates by way of ongoing training
- providing all colleagues with training in respect of duties and obligations regarding client care
- to provide legal and strategic ongoing support to team members as their cases progress
Solicitor, Litigation at Carruthers Law (2019-12 – 2021-09)
The practice conducted High Court litigation (claimant and defendant) in respect of Libel, Privacy, Confidentiality and Data Protection Act claims. The firm also conducted general Civil Litigation including Professional Negligence claims with a focus upon solicitor negligence as well as Property and Trust disputes. My role and responsibilities included:
- assessing the merits of potential claims from the outset and as matters progressed throughout the Pre Action Protocol though to trial
- dealing with funding arrangements including private paying and CFA
- applications for ATE Insurance and corresponding with insurers as required at relevant stages depending upon the insurance contract
- instructing specialist London counsel and instructing and corresponding with experts
- corresponding with the court through the CE filing system
- drafting correspondence with opponents including Pre-action Protocol Letters of Claim and offers to settle
- diarising and complying with court orders and directions and serving documents
- drafting applications including for extension of time to file and serve pleadings both contested and by consent, to amend pleadings, for trials on preliminary issues including meaning and serious harm and applications for summary judgment
- drafting evidence for interim applications and trial.
- drafting case summaries
- advising clients at each stage in the litigation and throughout
Solicitor, Litigation at Rees Roberts Solicitors (2017-04 – 2019-11)
I worked alongside the firm Directors gaining experience in both contentious and non-contentious commercial property practice. Personal legal services were offered to commercial clients including residential conveyancing, Wills, LPA’s and Estate Administration, as well as contesting validity of Wills and Powers of Attorney considering undue influence, coercion, fraud or lack of capacity. My litigation role included:
- advising in relation to Landlord and Tenant disputes
- advising in respect of Lease claims
- advising upon Dilapidation claims in accordance with the Pre-Action Protocol
- advising upon debt recovery strategy and litigation through the county court
- enforcement of court orders
- advising upon personal guarantees
- advising upon Compulsory Purchase Order litigation including conducting negotiations with local authorities
Solicitor, Head of Private Client at Paul Crowley & Co. (2014-12 – 2017-03)
This role included managerial responsibilities such as drafting a yearly Business Plan, conducting annual reviews in relation to targets for the department, reporting to the Partners and managing employees within my team. I was responsible for a regional office. The role included:
- drafting Wills, General and Lasting Powers of Attorneys, Court of Protection applications
- preparation of Estate Accounts; Property transactions relevant to administration of Estates and lifetime planning severance of tenancies, transfers of equity, gifts of property and sales on behalf of Estates
- Inheritance Act claims; Part 8 claims in relation to Executors; Challenging validity of Wills on behalf of Executors and beneficiaries; Challenging administration of Estates on behalf of Executors
- opposing Court of Protection applications
Solicitor upon qualification in 2011; Trainee Solicitor 2008 at E. Rex Makin & Co. (2008-10 – 2014-11)
I gained training in both contentious and non contentious work including conveyancing, probate and civil litigation. The role included:
- assessing the merits of a diverse range of potential claims, being responsible for initial client enquiries for the Civil Litigation department.
- reviewing and assessing documents from the outset to determine strengths and weakness and produce a case strategy
- conducting case management conferences in both person and by telephone
- advising clients
- drafting evidence
- instructing Counsel.
- experience with client care retainers and funding arrangements including applications for legal aid, CFA’s and privately funded claims
- communicating with ATE insurers
- enforcements of judgments
- a varied caseload: Professional Negligence claims; Property dispute claims, including application of trust law; Debt recovery claims; Inheritance Act claims; Challenging validity of Wills in respect of capacity issues, undue influence and or coercion and fraud; Conveyancing; Probate (Administration of Estates; Wills; and LPA’s)
