Jessica Whitby

Hi, I'm Jess. I work in the Court of Protection as a paralegal. My job is extremely varied but revolves around helping clients who lack mental capacity. I help people who do not have capacity with their finances, and to ensure their money can last as long as possible. This can be anything from submitting a meter reading to helping people buy and adapt houses. I have found in my short time here so far for this to be an extremely rewarding job to be in. The feeling of knowing you're helping out someone who is in need of help is so fulfilling.

Key Highlights

• Speaking and emailing with clients to ensure everything is going well and discussing what they need from me
• Renewing contracts for clients
• Reviewing expenditure, income and assets and account statements
• Setting up new accounts and making internal transfers to ensure the correct amount of money is in each account
• Reviewing and ordering government documents for clients
• Reviewing bills and utilities
• Making payments for clients with case management/care teams etc
• Making payments for clients online with virtual credit cards
• Comparing insurances and tariff to ensure our clients are not overpaying and in turn their money lasts longer
• Putting in claims for clients
• Changing policy details for clients/reviewing policies

What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?

Irwin Mitchell is incredible; this is my first role in law after graduating and they took a shot on me with no prior experience and for that I am forever grateful. There is always someone who will be there for you if you have any questions or need help and, in my department, there is a real care for the people who are here. From other people who are also paralegals right up to the Deputy's you always have someone who is willing to help and listen.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?

The most rewarding part of this role, without a doubt, is having the opportunity to be able to help people that really need our help. It's so amazing to be able to aid so many clients in life, there is no better feeling than knowing you're coming into work every day to help someone, even when it's just in little ways.

What inspired you to get into law?

Law is a job I have wanted to do since I was a little girl. All the way though school, this was always my goal. I then went to university to study law and absolutely loved it and that reassured me that this was the right direction for me and that this was what I wanted to do in life.

What do you do away from the office?

Away from the office I'm one extreme to the other. I am either in bed watching my comfort shows or I'm out watching sports. I am a Sheffield Wednesday and a Sheffield Steelers season ticket holder so most of my Saturdays are spent on full days out with my family and friends watching our teams, and on a Sunday it's always a day of American football watching my NFL team the Dallas Cowboys.