Blog by Felicity Parry, Paralegal at Oliver & Co
When I joined Oliver and Co, over 3 years ago, despite having a law degree under my belt, the world of legal practice was somewhat of a mystery to me.
I graduated from Leeds University during the first wave of lockdown. So, after I’d had my fill of zoom quizzes and ‘it’s 5 o’clock somewhere’-drinks, I opted for a job in the care sector. After 2 years of working in residential care for those with Alzheimer’s and seeing first hand just how crucial the legal work around Court of Protection and Lasting Powers of Attorney was, I decided to look for a role in Private Client. Somewhat serendipitously, Claire Critchlow, solicitor in our Family Department is a family friend who had worked at Oliver’s for a number of years, training and qualifying with the firm. Claire told me there was opening for a Paralegal in the Wills and Probate team and gave the firm a dazzling review. ‘She must be on commission…’, I thought.
I did all of the necessary interviews and admin and was glad to hear I had secured the role. I moved from Manchester to Chester and tied myself into a year’s contract on a house share of five people I did not yet know. I remember thinking, ‘if this firm isn’t for me, I’m doomed’.
As I walked through the door on my first day, my knees knocking and my heart seeming to skip every other beat, all of the worries I had drifted away. The kindness of our reception staff, greeting me with warm smiles which, I soon came to understand, were not reserved for new starters but offered to every client, colleague and unexpected passerby who may need directions to here, there or anywhere. Before long, it became clear to me that everyone in the firm displayed the same generosity of spirit; I think that is a huge contributing factor as to why the relationship we forge with our clients is so strong.
Since my joining Oliver and Co, a lot has changed. We have gone from donning covid masks on the walk from our desks to the photo copier to throwing unforgettable summer parties and fetes, where every family member and friend you can think to invite is welcome. We even now have resident fish who oversee the conveyancing team and keep them in check. However, the most notable change has been becoming an Employee-Owned Trust.
After it was clarified what this actually meant, we were equal parts nervous and excited. Since the change has been affected, there has been considerable change in everyone’s approach to our roles in work. All of our individual and group strengths are capitalised on, praised and amplified and our places for improvement highlighted and smoothed. Knowing that our efforts not only affect the success of the company but have a direct impact on whether we can treat ourselves to a trip away, new car or phone upgrade next year, paid for by our profit share, has been hugely motivating.
To help us measure our successes in achieving our group and personal objectives, our appraisal system has undergone significant improvements. As we become more accustomed to it, we are all reaping the benefits. The alignment of our goals has made a substantial difference, ensuring that we are all working towards a common objective; utilising our strengths, both individually and as a collective. Watching, in real time, our efforts transform the firm’s overall performance. This has brought us closer as a firm and has enhanced our overall efficiency and drive. What’s not to love!
The past three years have been a pleasure, and I am eager to see how the firm continues to metamorphosise and develop into something even more impressive than what it is today.
