Meet the Solicitor
Many moments in life call for a legal expert, whether it’s buying a home, getting a divorce or starting a business. Here’s who to call! John Llewelyn
Gráinne Staunton
Why did you decide to become a solicitor? When I lived in Toronto, a friend asked if I would volunteer at the Free Representation Unit helping people who needed legal assistance but who couldn’t afford an attorney. It was very rewarding and that sparked my interest in a legal career. What are the qualities needed to be a good solicitor? Competence in your area of law is just the starting point. Communicating that advice effectively is the skill; that comes with experience. What type of law do you specialise in? Real estate property work of all types: development, commercial and rural. Often, a client has very diverse interests and you have to be able to provide them with comprehensive advice to tie in with their requirements. Why do clients come to you? My experience in running property businesses gives me a clearer understanding of a client’s needs as a whole; I don’t just see things from a narrow legal perspective. Many of my clients have been with me for years and have become friends over time.
What type of law do you specialise in? I am head of the wealth management team at Tozers. In our team, we focus on two broad areas: helping adults and children who require assistance from an attorney or from the Court of Protection in managing their finances; secondly, estate planning for wealth preservation, including the administration of complex estates. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? Helping my clients find the right path is extremely satisfying, especially as there is little guidance available for those who begin to lose the ability to manage their finances. Similarly, it’s fair to say that making a will or estate administration are not topics that people tend to relish! To see the relief on clients’ faces when they realise the process of making provisions for their loved ones can be stress-free is such a rewarding part of my job. What advice would you give someone who is looking for a solicitor? Trust your instincts. A good lawyer will make you feel at ease.
Everys Solicitors 01392 477983; www.everys.co.uk
Richard Stevinson
Crosse + Crosse Solicitors LLP 01392 207603 www.crosse.co.uk Why did you decide to become a solicitor? It’s so long ago now that I can’t really recall. I do remember my father arranging some work experience for me with a friend of his, who was a solicitor in Sunderland. I enjoyed shadowing him for a week and that confirmed my view that I would like to study law at university. After university, as I knew I was not a budding Rumpole, becoming a solicitor was an easy decision to make. What qualities are needed to be a good solicitor? A solicitor can practice in many different areas
68 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Tozers Solicitors LLP 01392 207020 www.tozers.co.uk
John Llewelyn
Gráinne Staunton
of the law. The skills and qualities required will be very different depending on the area you are practising in. What is common to every solicitor though, is the need to act in your client’s best interests at all times. On occasions, that may mean giving unpalatable advice, which your client may not want to hear. It is also helpful to be able to communicate what can be quite complex issues in as straightforward a way as possible and without lapsing into legal jargon. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? It sounds rather trite, but it is making a positive difference to someone else’s life. Often, we are acting for clients in exceptionally difficult circumstances after what may have been a catastrophic or tragic event in their life. They may be seeking to be compensated for the losses they have already incurred as well as the losses they will suffer for the rest of their life; or they may be seeking to establish the truth about the death of someone close to them at an Inquest. It is a privilege to be entrusted to handle matters of such importance. What type of law do you specialise in? I specialise in claims for those unfortunate enough to have been involved in accidents or who have been the victims of medical or clinical negligence. I regularly undertake work on behalf of a well-known national transport
group defending claims brought against them. I also have something of a niche practice dealing with coroners’ inquests when I am instructed by families seeking to establish the circumstances in which their relative has died. Why do clients come to you? Clients tend to instruct me because others have recommended me. Some inquests attract a lot of media interest; often people appear to have searched the internet and have seen reports of other cases in which I have been involved. What advice would you give someone who is looking for a solicitor? Deciding which solicitor to instruct to pursue a claim on your behalf, or to represent you at an Inquest is a critical decision. It is not unusual for some claims to last several years. You need to be confident that you will be able to work with the solicitor you instruct and that you can put your trust and faith in them. It is quite likely that you will be discussing personal and sensitive matters. If there is someone you know whose judgment you can trust and they can recommend someone that can be useful. It is rare that instructing a solicitor who is located a long way from you, who you can’t meet up with easily would be the best way to proceed. My strong advice would be to draw up a short list of possible candidates, and then meet with them before making a final decision.