Member Article

Holly is sharing her expertise to support vulnerable clients

A solicitor who crossed the thin blue line to move from the police into legal practice has joined regional firm BHP Law to further her expertise acting for vulnerable clients.

After graduating with a law degree and completing her masters at Durham University, Holly Hirst spent three and a half years with Durham Constabulary including being on the beat in Chester-le-Street.

Following the completion of her training contract Holly has worked exclusively in the area of Court of Protection, acting for clients who typically have received considerable damages after suffering incapacitating injury as the result of an accident or medical negligence.

In the course of her work Holly has acted for clients all over England and Wales and for ex-pats living overseas, including travelling to Singapore where one of her clients held assets.

Holly said: “During my time in the police, working in the community with people from all walks of life and with local groups for disabled people, I found that I had a natural affinity for helping vulnerable people, which led me to Court of Protection work.

“Working in the field of Court of Protection, the relationship between lawyer and client is not typical. You get to know your clients and their families very well which can be very rewarding as a legal advocate.”

At BHP Law, Holly is an associate solicitor specialising in property and financial affairs and working with partner and respected Court of Protection solicitor Karen Pratt.

Holly explained: “Most of our clients receive significant financial settlements but that money has to last for the rest of their life. I have to understand both their current and long-term needs, which can range from securing appropriate accommodation or adapting their home for them to managing their daily finances and investing for the future.”

As well as her broad experience from police work, Holly has brought additional insight of the effects of brain injury due to her stepfather having suffered such a condition. She is a trustee of the brain injury charity Headway County Durham.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah French .