Ashtons Legal expands its Court of Protection team

Posted 12/02/2015

Ashtons Legal is pleased to welcome three new Case Workers and a PA to its Thetford based Court of Protection team.

Case Workers Laura Bonnington, Nicole Horne and Jodie Allen bring a wealth of experience to the team.

Laura has held previous roles as a Student Counsellor, Teacher of Secondary History and has experience of working with children with special educational needs. She works closely with Anna Foster (Senior Case Worker) on the on-going litigation cases and will have a pivotal role in overseeing Chantelle Tyrrell’s clients for the duration of her forthcoming maternity leave.

Nicole joined the firm from a company that specialises in the prevention of homelessness in the community.  This role involved working alongside Children’s Services where she gained valuable experience dealing with children at risk. Nicole regularly liaised with care leavers, clients with drug and alcohol dependency, teenage parents, clients moving from hostels back into the community, ex-offenders and clients with mental health issues.  Nicole is training with Senior Case Worker, Paul Humphries.

Jodie joined the team in 2014 as an Administrator having previously worked in administration roles within a variety of companies and industries ranging from a small on-line retail company, right through to an international manufacturing company. From February 2015, Jodie will be training as a Case Worker alongside Anna Foster.

Finally, Sue Eichberger joined Ashtons Legal as PA. Prior to joining the firm she worked in various secretarial/PA roles at a blue chip company and at a local high school.

Adrian Mundell, who is a Partner and Head of the Court of Protection team, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Laura, Nicole, Jodie and Sue to the team and are pleased to be attracting new talent to the firm. The team now comprises two partners who are both Professional Deputies and 16 other members including seven case workers. Two additional administrators are due to start in the next few months making us a 20-strong team.”

“In recent years the team’s reputation has grown and we regularly attract referrals from other personal and medical injury firms who do not have their own Court of Protection team. The majority of our work is for clients who have suffered an acquired or birth-related brain injury, and around 10% is for elderly clients and those with mental health problems. We now act as Professional Deputy for over 100 clients and in addition have a number of cases where we support family members who are acting as Lay Deputy.”

Although based in East Anglia, Adrian and the team have clients throughout the UK.  Adrian is actively involved in the International Guardianship Network and is also a member of the National Guardianship Association and has been appointed by overseas clients with assets in the UK.

Photos L to R: Laura Bonnington, Nicole Horne, Jodie Allen and Sue Eichberger.