Jill has worked for over 20 years in a solicitors' office, initially as secretarial staff and then as a clerk. She then decided to take her law degree, qualified in 2008 and, during the course of her degree and postgraduate training, began working in the firm’s private client department, which she found to be most rewarding.
Jill works alongside Angela Smith, who is a Partner in the firm and head of the private client department. They specialise in drafting wills and tax planning, dealing with the administration of estates and assisting people in planning for issues which may arise in later life, including setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney and advising on the protection of assets for the benefit of loved ones. The department also deals with Court of Protection work and advises families dealing with elderly relatives with a diagnosis of dementia or other degenerative illness. Jill carries out home visits to see clients and also attends nursing homes and hospitals.
Jill’s aim is to advise and assist in a clear and straightforward manner, which is of utmost importance when dealing with elderly or vulnerable clients, while remaining professional and sensitive to what can be difficult issues.
In 2013, Jill became a Full Professional Member of Lifetime Lawyers, formerly known as Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), a national organisation providing specialist legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers. In 2015, she successfully completed the Older Client Care Practice Award via Lifetime Lawyers.
Expertise – Wills, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Property, Trusts
Career history –
- 1984 - Legal secretary for general high street firm
- 1990 - Crown Court clerk for same high street firm
- 2001 – 2008 Crown Court clerk for Garratts
- 2008 - qualified and moved into Wills & Probate Dept. with Garratts
Education - Educated to A level standard, LLB (Hons) Open University (2004), Huddersfield University LPC
Professional Memberships –
Probate Section of Law Society
Full Professional member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE)
SFE Older Client Care in Practice Award (2015)
Awards and accreditations
