15/06/2023
In the latest of our spotlight pieces, we sit down for a chat with Michele Benson in Russell & Russell’s Conveyancing team.
Michele has been a member of the firm’s Conveyancing practice since October 2014 and is currently based at our Farnworth branch.
She has over 25 years’ experience working in the legal profession, including for several major house builders.
Michele qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2014 after attending a distance-learning course through the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
She deals with all areas of Residential Conveyancing.
Here, we find out a little more about Michele.
What is your job title and experience?
Licensed Conveyancer.
What areas of law do you specialise in?
Conveyancing.
Why did you decide to work in the legal industry?
I always had an affinity with conveyancing, and it was something that I really enjoyed.
When and where did you qualify?
I qualified in 2014 after many years of studying. I attended a distance-learning course through the Council of Licensed Conveyancers, which I fitted in between bringing up my daughter and working full time.
For most of my working life, I have worked within the legal profession in one capacity or another.
How long have you been at Russell & Russell?
I have been at Russell & Russell for around nine years.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the feeling of satisfaction when I have dealt with a complex and challenging file that has completed.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
No two transactions are the same, and every day brings another challenge.
What is the most memorable case you have worked on?
I have worked on a few memorable files, but the one that sticks in my mind is where the management company had been dissolved, and the buyer’s solicitors were refusing to proceed.
Without going into the complexities of it, the transaction took a few months to untangle and, when it was completed, my client had never been happier.
How has the conveyancing sector changed since you started?
The conveyancing sector has no resemblance now to what it was some 20 years ago.
Clients’ expectations never fail to surprise me. The industry has also become very competitive, to the extent that even the professionals within the industry compete against each other instead of them having a common objective with their fellow professionals.
What changes to conveyancing do you anticipate going forward?
I think the processes will become more streamlined and paperless.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a solicitor or work in the legal industry?
The job can be challenging and is incredibly rewarding in terms of job satisfaction. However, clients’ expectations can also leave you feeling frustrated, and getting used to that is a job in itself!
What they say about Michele…
Some of Michele’s recent testimonials include:
“Buying and selling a house is very stressful, especially if you are a little older, but Michele at Russell & Russell made time to speak with us and to see us if there were any issues we didn’t understand. We have heard of buyers or sellers stating they couldn’t get to speak to their solicitor, so it was important that our solicitor was local and easy to contact.”
“The sale of our house was smooth, efficient, and not at all stressful. Russell & Russell were very helpful, while being professional.”
“Excellent service, professional, polite, and explained things really clearly. Honest and friendly, and they do everything at great speed. Excellent value and would not use anyone else. A fabulous team and Michele especially was amazing.”
Speak to a Solicitor
To find out more about Russell & Russell’s Conveyancing team, please click here.
Please note that this article is meant as general guidance and not intended as legal or professional advice. Updates to the law may have changed since this article was published.