Wards Solicitors’ Jenny Pierce appointed a director of Solicitors for the Elderly

Solicitors for the Elderly, a national organisation committed to providing the highest quality legal advice for older people, has appointed Jenny Pierce, head of Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity and a partner at Wards Solicitors, to its board of directors.

The appointment reflects Jenny's growing reputation and expertise in working with older and vulnerable clients and follows her appointment to the Office of the Public Guardian's prestigious Panel of Professional Deputies two years ago.

In addition, she is frequently appointed as a Professional Deputy for Property and Affairs for vulnerable clients who lack capacity and has a STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable clients.

Highest standards for older people

Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), a not-for-profit specialist organisation, was founded in 1996 with the aim of helping, supporting and making a difference to older people. It has now grown to include more than 1500 legal professionals committed to providing the highest quality legal advice on specialist areas including Wills, power of attorney and elder abuse.

All its members agree to abide by a strict code of practice to provide specialist, good quality legal advice to older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers.

Jenny said: "I am delighted to have been appointed a director of SFE which works tirelessly to set and maintain the highest standards for all experts practicing in this complex area of the law. I am passionate about raising awareness of the issues which affect older and vulnerable people and am delighted to be part of an organisation so committed to improving their circumstances."

Jenny's appointment comes as the SFE also appoints its first ever Chief Legal officer.

Lakshmi Turner, SFE's Chief Executive, said: "It's an exciting time for Solicitors for the Elderly as the organisation continues to grow and set the bar as the gold standard for experts practicing older client law. We will continue to tackle key issues impacting the sector, putting our members and consumers first."

Further recognition

Jenny leads a Wills and Probate team at Wards Solicitors which covers Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset from 11 offices. She advises on tax planning, trust management, powers of attorney, mental capacity and asset protection with particular expertise in advising elderly and vulnerable clients.

She has worked at Wards Solicitors since 1999 and in that time has overseen the Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team grow from just two people to a legal staff of 23. It is increasingly recognised as one of the most experienced in the region and has been recommended in the latest edition of the prestigious Legal 500 guide for 2017, an independent publication which recommends legal firms and individual lawyers based on merit.

The guide praises Wards Solicitors Wills and Probate team for having 'a clear set of processes which assist in ensuring client relationships are always kept up to date'. It is also singled out for its 'helpful and appropriate information and advice'.

Jenny's knowledge is highlighted in the guide as 'exemplary' with clients praising her ability to 'explain everything in a manner that is easily understood'.

Jenny, who joined Wards Solicitors in 1999, is also:

• • The Regional Coordinator for Bristol and Bath Solicitors For the Elderly
  • A full Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners
  • A Member of Law Society Probate Section
  • The Winner of the Association of Women Solicitors 2010 award for the Best Woman Solicitor Managing a Probate Practice.

Wards Solicitors' Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team is now one of the biggest in the South West and the majority of its lawyers are either student or full members of Solicitors for the Elderly.