Congratulations to our new Private Client Solicitor, Emily Spencer!
Private Client Solicitor, Emily Spencer, Tells Her Tale
We’re thrilled to announce that we now have another fully-fledged Private Client Solicitor with the firm. Our former trainee, Emily Spencer, joined us in 2021 in the Private Client team and has gone from strength to strength.
Starting out as a Private Client Executive to qualifying as a solicitor, Emily’s journey has been one of dedication, growth, and a passion for helping people navigate some of life’s most important legal decisions. But how did she get here? From leaving school to stepping into the world of private client law, Emily shares her story, complete with the challenges, the wins, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Read on to discover Emily’s path to qualification, her insights into the legal profession, and what advice she has for aspiring solicitors.
Book a call to discuss Wills, Trusts, LPAs and Probate on 0113 320 5000
Congratulations on qualifying. Could you talk us through your background? What led you to pursue a career as a Private Client Solicitor?
I first experienced private client law when I did work experience when I was still at school. I was probably around 16-18 years old, and I really enjoyed it. I then worked in a different firm as an assistant doing private client work before coming to Winston Solicitors and the rest is history.
What attracted you to a career in law. Do you have experience in any other areas of law?
I wasn’t sure totally what I wanted to do with my future. But then I started doing work experience with some solicitors in Ilkley when I was at school. I found that it really interested me.
I did some conveyancing at my last job too, but I have always been attracted back to private client, so that’s why I chose to specialise in that. It’s an opportunity to help people who are making big life choices. There’s a chance to give back to the community too. For example, we recently took part in Will Aid, which Is a will-writing charity.
How has Winston Solicitors contributed to your professional development in private client law?
Winston Solicitors hired me when I did not have a vast amount of experience - I had only worked as an assistant previously and not a fee earner. The firm has increased my knowledge in every area I practice in – Wills, LPAs, probate, deputyship etc. Monika (and Howard, who was with the firm before) were instrumental in my development, offering much needed insight and support.
During your training with us, what were some of the most valuable lessons you learned about practicing private client law?
One of the most important things I’ve learned is to have confidence with clients. Winston Solicitors has a very hands-on approach with trainees, which means I’ve been helping clients from the start. Through being a fee earner and being on the front line with the clients, I’ve had to develop the skills to offer a calm, knowledgeable perspective.
How did your interactions with clients and cases at Winston Solicitors shape your understanding of the practical applications of private client law principles in real-world scenarios?
As a fee earner in the Private Client department, I work directly with clients, guiding them through some of life’s most sensitive and challenging moments. You quickly learn how to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism. Whether it’s helping someone put their affairs in order as they grow older, supporting families dealing with the loss of a loved one, or advising on lasting powers of attorney when mental capacity becomes a concern. Private Client law isn’t just about legal principles; it’s about real people, real emotions, and ensuring that clients feel supported and reassured every step of the way.
Head of Private Client, Monika Volsing
What specific mentorship or guidance did you receive from senior solicitors at our firm that you found particularly beneficial in your development as a private client solicitor?
I would say that Monika Volsing has had the most impact on my career progression. She’s been integral in helping me develop as a fee earner, offering advice and support at every stage. She has involved me with all the ‘front line’ activities of being a private client practitioner – for instance, registering a death, going to the home of a deceased client to collect documentation, drafting court applications and following them through to issue, and meeting clients to take their instructions. This area of law is hands-on. Clients often want to see you so they feel they can trust you (although our work can be conducted remotely). I feel being able to deal with people face-to-face has increased my confidence in my own knowledge and how I handle matters. So, Monika trusting me to do these things has really helped me.
What do you find most rewarding about being a private client solicitor?
I love assisting clients with something as important as a Will or LPA. These are bits of life admin that people often they put off and are daunted by. Showing clients that it really isn’t that scary or difficult is really rewarding.
Making sure your Wills and LPAs are correct and up-to-date is so important. I want people to do these things without fear or apprehension. It is not as major as buying a house, for example, but it can seem like a complicated process and people are super grateful for our help.
Q. Looking back at your time as a trainee solicitor with our firm, can you share a memorable case or client interaction that significantly influenced your approach to private client law practice?
We obtained a personal welfare deputyship order for a client and they are very rarely granted. A Personal Welfare Deputyship Order is a rare legal appointment made by the Court of Protection, granting someone the authority to make decisions about an individual’s personal welfare when they lack the mental capacity to do so themselves. Unlike a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), which has to be set up while a person still has capacity, a deputyship order is only granted when the person in question has already lost capacity, there’s no arrangement in place, and decisions need to be made in the person’s best interests.
These orders are really important, because they can cover things like where a person lives, their medical treatment, and decisions about their daily care. They are usually only approved in exceptional cases. Like if there is ongoing disagreement about care, or when someone needs clear legal authority to act on behalf of a vulnerable individual.
Our clients were so grateful when we obtained a personal welfare deputyship. That one absolutely stands out in my mind.
What advice would you give to aspiring solicitors who are considering specialising in private client law, based on your own journey and experiences at our firm?
One of the most important pieces of advice is something you might not even realise at first - customer service. Private Client law isn’t just about understanding legal principles. It’s about working closely with people, and a lot of them are going through emotional or difficult times. You need to be able to explain complex legal matters in a way that makes sense to clients, without overwhelming them with jargon. Patience is key, especially when working with elderly or vulnerable clients who may need extra time and reassurance to feel comfortable with the decisions they’re making. Building trust and showing empathy are just as important as having strong technical knowledge. If you’re considering a career in Private Client law, developing these interpersonal skills will make a real difference to your clients. And to your success as a solicitor.
It may not seem as glamourous as some other areas of law, but it's so interesting. And you get to see first hand how you’re helping to give people peace of mind about their future, no matter what it may hold.
In what ways do you envision continuing your professional development and staying updated on the latest changes in UK private client law, now that you have qualified as a private client Solicitor?
Staying up to date with changes in Private Client law is essential, particularly when it comes to areas that can be affected by government budgets and policy changes. Like the Inheritance Tax changes that were announced in the 2024 autumn budget. The legal landscape is always evolving, and as solicitors, we need to anticipate how new legislation or tax reforms might impact our clients' estate planning, wills, and trusts.
I make sure to stay informed through regular training, legal updates, and professional resources such as HMRC guidance, case law developments, and insights from organisations like the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). By keeping on top of these changes, I can provide clients with the most accurate and effective advice.
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