Choosing the right solicitor and deciding which one to use can be a daunting experience, especially when there are so many to choose. We chat to one of the Directors at Hopkins Law, Cowbridge, Liane Farthing to find out more.
HOPKINS L AW
Please tell us about your role at Hopkins Law? I have been practising law for almost thirty years - working for large organisations such as Principality Building Society and Eversheds and, latterly other firms in Cardiff, always acting in Property matters. I have been at Hopkins Law since 2007 when I was appointed a Partner to establish a property arm for the practice. Up until then it had been, predominantly, a family law practice. Over four years ago my fellow Director Kerry Mordey and myself had the opportunity to take over the practice. Since then, I have managed Hopkins Law. I also still have my own property case load and supervise other members of the property and private client team. This may sound like a challenge and, at times, it is but I find my role very rewarding. How long has Hopkins Law been established? The Practice was established in Cowbridge in 2006 and has grown to three offices, in Cowbridge, Cardiff and London since then.
There have been many changes over the past ten years including mergers, a buyout, move of offices and the expansion of services we offer our clients. We are planning to expand along the M4 corridor - we don’t stand still. How many other team members are there and what roles do they play? My fellow Director, and joint owner, Kerry Mordey, heads the family side of the practice which deals with divorce, separation, finance, children, child care and pre-nuptial agreements to name a few! I manage the remainder which covers property, both residential and commercial and the private client department. We have seven solicitors and two senior conveyancers in the property and private client department which enables us to offer an extensive range of expertise and experience. In addition to our property lawyers we have recently appointed Mrs Lynn Wheeldon in our private client department. Lynn joined us from Hugh James Solicitors having previously been a partner and latterly a consultant with them. Lynn has extensive experience in private client matters; from Wills and Probate and Powers of Attorney to complex Trusts. 48
Our property team in Cowbridge comprise Lisa Lake, Kelly Lewis, Nigel Perris, Norman Saye, Keri Jones and myself. In addition, we have a team of property and private client solicitors at our Cardiff office. We are very proud that Hopkins Law is enjoying its third year of accreditation with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme; a quality standard for solicitors who achieve consistently high levels of service and advice in residential conveyancing work. Additionally, we are the only firm of solicitors in Wales, acting for borrowers, who are members of the Equity Release Council. I have years of experience in this specialised area of law, having acted for one of the country’s leading equity release lenders for many years and, latterly, acting for borrowers often referred from local and national Independent Financial Advisers.
“Our aim is to obtain a genuine understand- ing of our clients’ requirements.”