Each month we are featuring one of our solicitors or chartered executives. We feel strongly that our clients should be matched with the right lawyer, so this is one way of finding out a little more about our team.
Our lawyer of the month for October is Helen Trott. Helen is based at our Exeter office.
Q&A – Ten Questions
- What is your job title?
Senior Associate Solicitor
- How long have you been at The Family Law Company?
Over six years
- How did you come to be at TFLC?
At my previous firm, I had a number of cases with the Family Law Co (or Hartnell Chanot as the company was called then) on the other side. This led to a conversation at court one day with Stephen Sowden and very shortly afterwards I was offered the job!
- What inspired you to go into family law?
Child law was the subject that most interested me at university. I loved the idea of going to court, and I really enjoy working with people – so it seemed the perfect career for me. I actually spent the first year of my career post-qualification in commercial property, which I hated because it was just so boring! This confirmed to me that my first choice of family/child law really was the right one.
- Describe your specialism/s
Child law. This involves acting for parents, children and extended family members primarily in cases where local authorities are involved but also in private family disputes about children.
- What would you say are your key strengths as a family lawyer?
Because I like working with people, I am good at supporting clients going through difficult times in their lives. I have expertise in explaining the law to clients at a level that is appropriate to them, which is really important when working with children. I am also a bit of a perfectionist, so I have good attention to detail, which is really important with the sort of work we do.
- What is the achievement you are most proud of in your job?
Getting on to the children panel and thereafter getting regular and increasing instructions from Guardians.
- Why do you think TFLC is different from other family lawyers?
I think being a specialist firm really sets us apart.
- Are there any related volunteering roles you undertake?
I have great respect for any childcare lawyer who finds the time and energy to undertake volunteering roles on top of the day job! I did volunteer at an advice centre early on in my career but these days I can no longer find the time.
- What do you do to relax?
Aside from drinking wine, I love to go to the beach and on coastal walks with my dog and my friends. When my back behaves, horse riding is my real passion.
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