A FORMER legal secretary who was persuaded to train as a lawyer at the age of 35 is the new head of the Chester office of a law firm.

Maxine Phillips spent almost 20 years, first as a secretary and then as a personal assistant, helping solicitors in Liverpool and on the Wirral deal with private client law.

She handled wills, probate, trusts and powers of attorney before being persuaded to study to become a lawyer herself.

Another 20 years on and she is in charge of law firm Swayne Johnson’s Tattenhall office, one of their network of bases which also include Mold, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin and Llandudno.

Maxine, originally from Crosby, in Liverpool, had spent most of her working life with law firms in Liverpool and on the Wirral but has now moved to North Shropshire, just 11 miles from her office.

She said: “I was with a firm on the Wirral when my boss told me I was seeing more clients than he was and that I should do the training to become a lawyer so I did through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).

“I had been working in the private client field and enjoyed it because of the variety. No two days are the same – you can do three wills in a day but they’re not the same because people are so different and each will is tailored to their circumstances.  I also get to meet some lovely people.

“Often a person will contact Swayne Johnson when there is a dramatic change in their circumstances – a medical diagnosis such as cancer or the early stage of dementia.

“Having had personal experience of a close family member living with Alzheimer’s, I know the value and peace of mind that putting your affairs in order can give to you and to your family.

“My mother lived with dementia so I had a particular interest in that field and of the importance of having your family making decisions for you rather than Social Services.

“Fortunately people are now more aware of the benefits of Lasting Powers of Attorney thanks to the media but it still amazes me that people under 50 often don’t think they need to bother - it’s better too soon than not at all.

“I am a cancer survivor myself and my sister died from it at 49 – it focuses your attention when that happens.”

Joining Swayne Johnson was no chance change in career – Maxine had worked closely for ten years with Sally Johnson, now head of the firm’s Mold office, who joined 12 months ago and with two others on the staff, Emily Brayford and Lisa Harbour.

The mum of two grown-up sons said: “Sally rang me and asked if I wanted to go for an interview and I liked the idea of working in an office in a community and making a difference in that community.

“I enjoy building relationships with clients and that attracted me to Swayne Johnson who combine being a very professional high street firm with high levels of expertise and close links to the communities where they operate. Fortunately the firm thought I would be a good fit.”

When she isn’t working Maxine and her husband enjoy touring the country in their camper van.

Swayne Johnson Managing Director Lynette Viney-Passig said: “We’re delighted to make another high calibre appointment in Maxine as we continue to expand our offer to clients."