We’re delighted to introduce the newest member of the Bendles Team, Sarah Elsy, who recently joined the Carlisle office’s Private Client department as a Probate Executive.
Read on to hear Sarah’s ‘Meet the team’ Q&A and discover how she went from teaching English to a career in law:
Welcome Sarah! What is your legal specialism and new role at Bendles?
I am a Probate Executive and I specialise in probate and estate administration. In time, I will be training in will drafting and preparing LPAs (Lasting Power of Attorneys), as these are staples of Private Client work.
Tell us about your career path so far…
After graduating with an English Literature degree I went on to teach English, first as a TEFL teacher with adults and then as a secondary school teacher. Teaching was incredibly stressful and not for me. I decided to change course in 2015 and signed up with a temp agency as a stop-gap while I worked out what I would do long term.
The first assignment I got was covering the reception at a local firm of solicitors. I really enjoyed it and a couple of years later, I applied to be a paralegal in the Private Client team and I have been doing that ever since. Probate & estate administration straddles the legal and accountancy sectors, so I worked at an accountancy firm for a spell, which helped me understand the tax side of things better.
What made you want to work at Bendles?
I wanted to work somewhere that had a team of experienced private client practitioners and had a practical, sensible approach to work. I have been used to working compressed hours and I wanted to work somewhere that was able to offer this.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Learning the will drafting and LPA side of things.
What do you love about living and working in beautiful Cumbria?
I live in the centre of Carlisle, which is convenient – whether it is walking into town for a meal, catching a train to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Newcastle for the day, or heading out into the Caldbeck fells for a walk. There is a lot here and it is relatively easy and affordable to access.
If you would like to speak to a member of our Private Client department about your estate, updating or drafting a Will or setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
