Two solicitors at Clough & Willis – the Bury and Bolton based law firm – are celebrating after successfully completing two of the legal profession’s main qualifications. The firm has also recruited a new paralegal.
Rhianna Bateson – who is an associate solicitor in the Private Client team – has successfully completed the Society of Trust and Estate Practioners (STEP) Diploma. The Diploma is a highly prestigious industry standard that develops a practical understanding of the law and the procedures involved in trust and estate administration, tax and accounting.
Each of the four modules – Administration of Trusts; Administration of Estates; Taxation of Trusts & Estates and Trust & Estate Accounting – required Rhianna to undertake individual rounds of six months of home study followed by written exams. Holding the STEP Diploma means Rhianna can help her clients in various ways including being able to provide detailed knowledge and advice on the most up-to-date issues affecting trusts and estates.
Sarah Greene, who is a solicitor in the Private Client team, has completed the Solicitors for the Elderly qualification. Solicitors for the Elderly is an independent organisation, made up of solicitors, barristers and legal executives who provide specialist legal advice to elderly and vulnerable people. Founded in 1999, it was the brainchild of a small group of lawyers who recognised that the UK’s ageing population was leading to an increasing number of enquiries from older clients. Today the organisation has more than 1,000 members nationwide.
Clough & Willis has also appointed Joshua Beattie as a paralegal in the Litigation team. Joshua will be working with the department’s senior team as well as shadowing colleagues in the Employment, Personal Injury and Dispute Resolution teams. He will also be studying for his Legal Practice Course part-time.
Lee Marston – managing partner at Clough & Willis – said: “As a firm, we strongly advocate nurturing and developing talent from within, so Rhianna and Sarah’s achievements are testament to that approach. We are also delighted to welcome Joshua to the team who, I’m sure, will add real value to the business and our clients over the coming years.”
