Biography
I am an Associate solicitor in the Court of Protection department based in the Sheffield office. I joined IM as a trainee in 2015, gaining experience in the Court of Protection, Medical Negligence and Work-Place Injury departments.
Since qualifying in 2017, I have specialised in Court of Protection work, helping vulnerable people and their loved ones make decisions about their property and finances. The majority of my clients have brain injuries and have been awarded compensation which needs to be managed throughout their life.
I work closely with our personal injury teams to support clients during their litigation claim. This includes the management of interim payments, purchasing/adapting properties, co-ordinating rehabilitation and care packages and managing independent living trials.
I also support people in making applications to Court for their appointment as financial deputies and for one-off financial decisions in relation to their family members.
What inspired you to get into law?
I first showed an interest in working in law when I carried out work experience at school. I went on to study Law with Australian Law at the University of Nottingham, with a placement year at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. I undertook my Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Trent University.
I went into law because I wanted to be able to help people and make a positive difference to their lives. After university I worked at the Office of the Public Guardian, managing a team of caseworkers supervising court-appointed deputies in the management of their roles. This was my first experience of Court of Protection work and I have never looked back.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
The people at IM are interesting, down-to-earth and inspiring in equal measure! I have worked in other firms across the UK and Australia and I have never come across another firm in which the people are so welcoming, open and dedicated to obtaining the best possible outcomes for clients.
What do you do away from the office?
I have two dogs who take up most of my time and money: Willow an elderly Golden Retriever and Hector a lively Dalmatian. I spend most of my spare time on dog-related activities including obedience training, scentwork, dog parkour, breed meet-ups and more.
I love the outdoors and enjoy walking in the countryside, particularly around our local areas of outstanding beauty such as the Peak District and the Derbyshire Dales. I spend the majority of my holidays exploring the Scottish countryside with my family and the dogs.
