Building for the Future…Tollers proud of our junior team members

This week we are celebrating two members of our junior team as they qualify as solicitors.

Annabel Harding – Tollers first solicitor to qualify through the SQE route

Annabel joined Tollers in November 2019, after graduating from the University of Sheffield with an LLB Law degree with Honours.  She initially joined as the Office and Finance Assistant before, in 2021, joining Tollers Elderly and Vulnerable Client Unit, working as a paralegal and assisting with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection deputyships. During her time in this role, Annabel also worked with the Northampton Trusts & Estate Department, assisting fee earners with Will drafting and estate administration.  In September 2022, Annabel commenced her training contract with the Firm.

On the 3rd March 2025 Annabel qualified and became Tollers first ever Solicitor to qualify through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route.   The SQE was introduced in September 2021 as the new centralised way for an individual to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales. For those who started a law degree or an exempting law degree after 2021, they may only be able qualify as a solicitor through the SQE route.

To undertake the SQE you have to have a degree level qualification in any subject, have two years of qualifying work experience, satisfy the Solicitors Regulatory Authority suitability and character requirements and complete the SQE1 and SQE2 exams.

Annabel undertook a Level 7 Apprenticeship which is extremely hard work, not only does it require an Apprentice to work and study, there are ongoing exams, presentations, coursework and a portfolio to complete as well as the demanding SQE at the end.  A level 7 apprenticeship is the highest level of apprenticeship in the UK and is classed as the equivalent of a Master’s Degree.

Annabel has approached the SQE with determination, focus and incredible dedication. She has remained engaged and positive throughout, not only with the programme but also in her day to day job.

Rebecca List, Partner and Training Principal at Tollers said “Annabel’s achievement is not to be underestimated and as Training Principal, I am incredibly proud of her, as are the other Partners at Tollers. Well done Annabel! What an amazing achievement and more than well deserved.”

Annabel has worked with the Contested Trusts and Probate team for the last two years, whilst studying for her Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship.  Her hard word and dedication to pursuing a career in law culminated with her passing her final exams with flying colours in the top quintile for her year and in the country.

Head of Contested Trusts and Probate and Partner, Tiffany Benson said, “I am truly delighted that Annabel will be joining me as a solicitor in the CT&P team from 3^rd March 2025. She is an asset to Tollers and a valued member of our growing team. Annabel has a bright future ahead of her and I am privileged to have had some involvement in helping her on her way.”

Annabel will be advising and representing private individuals, personal representatives, beneficiaries and trustees on a wide range of contentious trusts and probate disputes. This niche legal area includes the following claims:-

• Will validity claims
• 1975 Act inheritance claims
• Estate administration disputes
• Trust disputes
• Challenges to lifetime gifts
• Construction/rectification claims

Annabel has blazed a trail for other Apprentices within the firm and has been and continues to be a mentor to many of the younger team members.

Megan Smyth – Utilising her growing commercial acumen as she qualifies into Employment Law.

Megan first came to Tollers as a Work Experience student when she was at school. During her work experience placement, she spent time in the Employment Team. She graduated in 2020 with a first-class LLB law degree.  She joined a national law firm as a conveyancing paralegal where she completed her Legal Practice Course (LPC) and her Masters in Law studying part-time at Nottingham Law School, whilst she also worked.

She officially joined Tollers in 2022 as a Paralegal in our Elderly and Vulnerable Client Unit, ahead of commencing her training contract with the firm in September 2023.

Megan experienced different departments during her Training Contract, including EVCU, Corporate/Commercial and Employment.  She is a natural lawyer, with great attention to detail and common sense.  During her Corporate and Commercial seat, Megan experienced a busy run of transactions which helped shape her into the lawyer she is today with great commercial awareness and acumen.

Megan has spent the majority of her training contract working as part of Tollers Employment and HR Law Team and following her qualification on 4^th March 2025, she will become the newest qualified member of this growing team.

Head of Employment Law, Rebecca List said “I am delighted, not just as the firms Training Principal, but also as Head of the Employment Team to be able to retain Megan within the team. I first met Megan as a work experience student and I am excited about her career as an Employment Law Solicitor – she is a great asset”.

Megan is also a founding member of the Northamptonshire Young Professionals Social Committee, which helps organise events for other young professionals, from a wide variety of businesds sectors in the area.

Megan will be assisting her clients with:

• Settlement Agreements (drafting and advising);
• Contracts of Employment (drafting and advising);
• Staff Handbooks (drafting and reviewing);
• Commercial HR advice;
• Tollers HR;
• Redundancy Procedures;
• Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures.

As a firm we are hugely proud of all of the members of our junior team, those who have already qualified and those that are working toward qualifying either through the LPC, SQE or the Apprenticeship routes.

These young individuals are the leaders of the future and the people who will take Tollers into its next phase and carry our long-established legacy into the future.