In this article we shine the spotlight on Zara King, a Private Client Solicitor at Lamb Brooks who has worked at the firm since June 2022.
Zara has been working exclusively in Private Client law since 2018, assisting families with the preparation of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Deputyship Applications and Estate Administrations.
After graduating from the University of Southampton with her Law Degree, Zara enrolled on the Legal Practice Course with the University of Law on a part-time weekend basis, whilst working full time in Financial Services.
In early 2018, she secured a training contract with a firm of Solicitors in Kent, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2019. Throughout her training contract and in the years following, Zara gained a wealth of skills and experience, and worked closely with local communities with limited access to legal services. As a result, Zara was nominated as finalist for Kent Law Society’s Junior Lawyer of the Year.
When her partner secured employment in Hampshire, Zara moved back to her hometown of Basingstoke and joined Lamb Brooks’ Private Client Team. She has recently enrolled upon the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners diploma to further her knowledge of the area she specialises in.
What a Typical Day Might Look Like for Zara
Morning
As much as I wish I was, I have never been a morning person! I tend to start my day with my simpler administrative tasks, to set me up for the day ahead. I usually address my email inbox and respond to any client enquiries that have been received since the day prior. I have a quick review of my ongoing files to prioritise my work for the day and conduct my preparation for any client meetings I may have that day.
Late Morning
I usually have client meetings booked for late morning – this could be to take instructions for the preparation of a new Will, or to discuss how I can assist a family with the administration of their loved ones estate. Following the appointment, I will complete a full record of the meeting and begin any resulting work.
I also find this the best time of day to liaise with any third parties, such as HMRC or the Probate Registry on any matters that I need to speak with them in relation to.
Lunch Time
I try my best to get out at lunch for a brief walk, but do find myself working through some of my lunch most days – I am much happier if I am on top of my caseload! Around once a week, I will meet colleagues for lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon
After lunch, is usually another client appointment. This could be in the office, or sometimes out at a client’s home, residential care setting or hospital. In my area of law this is quite common, and it is nice to be able to provide the client with that flexibility. This appointment could be to take instructions in relation to a Lasting Power of Attorney or Trust, or to meet with a client for the signing of their Will.
Late Afternoon
I tend to do my drafting work in the afternoon. This is so diverse, but could include the drafting of an Inheritance Tax return, Deed of Variation to a Will or a Trust document. I finish my day by tidying my desk, filing my incoming post for the day and doing my to-do list for the following day.
Evening
I leave the office around 5.20pm most days. I usually spend my evenings studying for my STEP exams, reading (historical fiction is my favourite), or spending time with my family. I like to go to the cinema in the evenings and try to do this every other week or so.
What is it like to work in Private Client Law?
I find working in Private Client extremely rewarding. Particularly when dealing with estate administrations, it is a real privilege to be able to reduce a family’s burdens at an already very emotional time. I find the workload varied and no day is ever the same. It is nice, as families tend to use the same firm, and so you have the opportunity to build a rapport with people across multiple generations.
Have you known from a young age that you wanted to work in law? What was your childhood dream job?
I did not really consider law as a career option until I was 16. Growing up, I was always extremely academic, but was focused on performing arts, and always thought that would be my calling. When I went to an open day at my prospective college, they told me I could probably manage an additional A-Level, and so chose law, as my Mum had been working as a Legal Secretary for years, so thought she might be able to help if I struggled. I was completely taken with it immediately, and it quickly became my ‘Plan-A’.
If you were not working in the legal profession, what would you be doing instead?
I thrive on organisation and my family always laugh at the number of spreadsheets I have for things like holiday itineraries, so from that perspective, perhaps events management? On a serious note, I had always considered social work and children’s services as an option if a career in law didn’t materialise.
Is there anything that made you particularly interested in this area of law?
So many aspects of Private Client law appealed to me when I was studying. I was always particularly interested in issues surrounding mental capacity, and so being able carry out work relating to Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyships was perfect for me.
What type of cases are you working on at the moment?
The most interesting matter I have ever dealt with was an estate in which the deceased passed away in 1946, and so we had to obtain the Grant of Representation and administer the estate as it would have been done in the 40s.
At the moment, I have an extremely varied caseload. I am working on an Intestacy, with various complications, such as unknown assets, beneficiaries with lost capacity and beneficiaries who have passed away during the administration period.
I also have an interesting cross-border estate, with assets in various jurisdictions. In these circumstances we often have to liaise with lawyers in such jurisdictions, working collaboratively to finalise all aspects of the estate.
What is the most challenging aspect about your role?
It can be particularly challenging as a Private Client Solicitor as our area of law is often spoken about amongst family and friends, and publicised in the media, but it is not always accurate information that is being circulated. We have to spend a lot of time talking clients through reasons why their intended plan of action may not be best for their given circumstances. We do always try to provide alternatives though!
Another element of our role that can be difficult is how dependent we are upon third parties such as the Office of the Public Guardian, HM Revenue and Customs, the Probate Registry and banks and other financial institutions – timescales to complete a matter are often extended as a result and giving clients concrete timelines can therefore be tricky.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Knowing that I have achieved the best possible result for a client – for example, concluding a particularly lengthy or complex estate or obtaining a deputyship order for a family needing to deal with their loved ones affairs. Clients in our area of law are often so grateful for the assistance and that in itself makes it so worthwhile.
What is the next big thing that you want to learn?
Professionally – I am focusing heavily on learning more about the law surrounding more complex trust arrangements.
Personally – I am teaching myself to play the piano and I want to learn Greek!
How do you achieve a good work-life balance?
Don’t take too much work home with you! Whilst I do usually pick up some work on evenings and weekends, it is important to give yourself a strict cut-off time and to stick to it.
How to you prepare yourself for a busy day?
Organisation is absolutely key. If I know I have a busy day ahead, I try to get up a bit earlier to make the morning less rushed. A thorough to-do list, ideally in chronological order helps a lot and then just focusing on one task at a time to make the overall day seem more manageable.
What 3 words describe you or your style of advice?
Approachable, calm and considered.
Is there one person or one moment that has had the biggest impact on your career?
We very sadly lost my wonderful Nan in late 2019. She had always been my biggest cheerleader and I am so glad she got to see me qualify. Her passing was the first real loss I had experienced and as upsetting as it is, I took so much from that time. I was able to identify what I was going through in my clients and to this day it has given me the tools to be a better support to those I am acting for in such difficult times.
Which 3 people dead or alive would you like to invite to a dinner party?
Walt Disney, Karl Pilkington, my Nan.
Do you have a favourite quote, saying or mantra that you live by?
‘It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live’.
Describe your typical weekend…
Saturday is usually an attempted, but failed lie-in. A cup of tea in bed and a few chapters of my book. I might spend the first couple of hours of my morning doing some life-admin and doing odd jobs around the house with my country music on, before heading out for lunch. It is rare for me to have a weekend with no plans and friends and family focus heavily. Its either shopping trips with my mum and sister, coffee or cocktail catchups with my friends, countryside walks with my partner or playdates with my niece and nephews!
Sundays are always for roast dinners with my grandad!
What have you enjoyed the most about your experience working at Lamb Brooks so far?
I have enjoyed having the ability to work on a more diverse caseload and expand my knowledge in my field. The firm is really supportive, and I have loved getting to know my colleagues.
What 3 skills do you think are needed to succeed as a Solicitor in Wills & Probate?
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail
- Emotional awareness.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in law?
It is by no means an easy road, but it is so worth it in the end – get as much experience in as early as possible, and try lots of areas of law to find your niche! Don’t sweat the small things – studying, training and qualifying as a Solicitor is a marathon, not a sprint!