❖ How did you feel winning the award of Team of the Year this year?
We were absolutely delighted to be given the recognition that our team have worked so hard to achieve, particularly as Actons is a small firm sitting amongst some large competitors. This was the second time we’d been shortlisted for the award, so to go on to win it on this occasion was a real honour for the team and the firm. It’s a real testament to every member of the team and we’re incredibly proud to have won the award.
❖ What is it about your team that makes it special?
When compared with other Private Client departments at local law firms in Nottingham, we’re considerably smaller (albeit we are one of the largest departments within our firm), yet we share the same level of expertise of many of our competitors.
The team is led by two qualified Trusts and Estate Practitioners, and we practice in all areas of Private Client work, unlike many larger teams who are sub-divided into a particular area of expertise i.e. Wills or Probate. This gives us a distinct advantage in that we can advise clients and their families on making a Will all the way through to advising their family when they sadly pass away, and quite often, they are able to deal with the same Fee Earner who has had the ‘inside’ knowledge and expertise to help them throughout.
❖ What are the most challenging or complex areas of your team's work?
We deal with a number of high-net-worth clients whose estate planning can be challenging when there are complex tax considerations and business assets to consider, but we work holistically with colleagues in other departments and with other professionals such as Accountants, Tax Specialists and Financial Advisors to provide our clients with the best service that we can.
We recognise that the 2.4 family rarely exists now, so we advise lots of blended families and focus on inter-generational planning, which we’re very proud to say, results in many long-standing client relationships. This can come with its own challenges, not least where there are children from previous relationships. It is therefore imperative that we provide impartial rounded advice to our clients to enable them to make informed decisions throughout.
We also face challenges such as language barriers, disabilities which affect our clients’ ability to read, speak, hear or write for example and we work closely with other professionals in these circumstances to ensure that our clients have the same access to legal services that they otherwise would have done but for their personal circumstances.
❖ The Private Client team at Actons brings together a winde range of expertise, from STEP-qualified directors to paralegals and trainees. How does the team's collaborative approach contribute to delivering such a high standard of client care and community engagement?
The Private Client team is all about working together. Everyone brings something to the table - whether it’s legal know-how, fresh ideas, or just being a great listener. That teamwork means clients get clear, caring support every step of the way. It also aids our community work, such as the free advice clinics at Maggie’s and workshops for families with learning disabilities at Reach. We are always happy to help, and it shows. By supporting each other and sharing our strengths, we make a real difference—to clients, the community, and each other.
❖ The partnership with charities like Maggie's Nottingham and Reach Learning Disability show a deep commitment to community support. What impact have these collaborations had on both your clients and your team?
We’re extremely proud not only as a team but as a firm to be able to continue supporting Maggie’s and Reach Learning Disability, and to give something back to the community.
Supporting local charities is so rewarding, and we ensure that every member of the team (and quite often the entire firm) is invited to participate in charity events, fundraising and CSR days that are organised by the Private Client team. This gives us a great sense of unity and enables each charity to build a relationship with the wider firm also.
As a result of delivering workshops and clinics via each charity (on a non-obligation basis), we very often we receive instructions from families and carers who rely on the charity’s services themselves. We’re extremely proud to say that we receive a number of recommendations from each charity for our services, and this isn’t limited to just Private Client work either.
❖ With leadership roles in professional committees and community boards, how do you balance legal excellence with broader contributions to the profession and society?
We think the key is in the question – it’s all about balance, and managing our time and other’s expectations of us properly and with professionalism. We rely on our team to pull together and take on the right level of responsibility to ensure that we can take on wider commitments.
We have a great team and, like we said already, because we can pull on all of our strengths it means we are able to continue to serve the community and the profession and still offer a great service to our clients.
❖ What else do you enjoy outside of the law, and helps you achieve a work/life balance?
The team has a broad range of hobbies and interests outside of work which include reading, history, football (both participating and spectating), horse riding, baking, running, bootcamps (for their sins), Pilates, going to the theatre and much more!
Most importantly, we all cherish spending time with loved ones. Working in the area that we do, we see and experience loss via our clients and personally on a weekly basis, so it’s hugely important for us to achieve a good work/life balance.
❖ What is the funniest thing you have seen working in law?
In Private Client work, we’re often supporting people through some of life’s most emotional and vulnerable moments. It’s serious, sensitive, and rarely lends itself to comedy. But every now and then, the law surprises you.
We meet clients in all sorts of settings—from boardrooms to bungalows—and sometimes, the unexpected happens. Heather, a newly qualified solicitor at the time, was sent to visit a gentleman to draft his Will. The meeting was at a warden-aided property, and after being buzzed in and confirming her identity, she made her way to the client’s flat.
He opened the door wearing… nothing but socks.
With the calm professionalism that Private Client work demands, Heather politely asked him to put some clothes on and carried on with the appointment. Back at the office, she recounted the surreal encounter to her supervisor, who promptly informed her that she absolutely could have refused to take instructions from a naked client.
Needless to say, it’s now part of our team’s induction: you’re never obliged to meet with a client who’s forgotten their trousers!
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This award is kindly sponsored by Gateley Legal.
