Employee Testimonials
Jessica Firth-Brown
I started working for Sills & Betteridge as a Paralegal in 2012 straight after finishing my LPC. Immediately I knew that Sills would be a place I would feel supported and I would have the opportunity to progress my career. I was quickly offered a Training Contract which commenced in September 2013. I spent time in the Family Department, Conveyancing and Commercial Litigation department. Whilst this is many years ago now, I have fond memories of my time in each department. nEach department has a very different feel but the one thing that is consistent every where in Sills is a culture of supporting junior staff and providing excellent training.
I had always know I wanted to specialise in Family Law. Wwhen I qualified in 2015 I was given the opportunity to go to our then newly acquired Nottingham branch. I quickly built a caseload and started to grow my own team.
In 2017 I fell pregnant with my first child, Sills were absolutely brilliant and allowed me to take as much maternity leave as I wanted. They were also extremely understanding that I would be unable to continue to travel to Nottingham from Lincoln when I returned from maternity leave. They therefore gave me the opportunity to return to our Lincoln office. Alongside this, my request for flexible working was quickly accepted meaning I was able to balance my career and my family.
In 2020 the Covid 19 pandemic hit and had a dramatic impact on everyone with an increase of working from home. Sills handled the pandemic extremely well ensuring all staff felt supported and were given the equipment needed to be able to work from home. During this time I fell pregnant with my second child, this was of course extremely worrying during the Covid pandemic. Helen, the Head of Family was incredible. She encouraged me to work in whatever way I felt comfortable including a mixture of working from home and coming into the office when I needed or wanted to.
Following my return from maternity leave with my youngest child I applied for Salaried Partner. Again, Helen was extremely supportive and encouraged me to do this. I have also been supported to specialise in Private Law Children and Domestic Abuse which are areas that have always been a passion for me. Other firms may have forced me to undertake all areas of Family Law, instead Sills promote each individuals skills which results in a workforce that is highly skilled in specialised areas and staff who thoroughly enjoy their work.
From starting as a Paralegal, I have remained at Sills for ten years. I am now a Partner running my own team. Despite the firm continuing to grow, it continues to have a close knit feel with a priority for promoting the well being of staff.
Florence Gardner
I joined Sills & Betteridge in December 2022 as an Associate Solicitor at our Sleaford Office.
I am proud to be a member of their highly skilled and experienced Wills, Trusts & Probate Department. My role has given me the opportunity to enjoy a variety of work, from dealing with the preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney to advising about the administration of estates.
My team members are incredibly welcoming and helpful, which has been invaluable as a new employee. Sills & Betteridge have provided a collaborative and supportive working environment, with frequent team meetings and an approachable management team. I have been able to work with a wide range of clients with varying legal needs, supporting them through what can be a very difficult time.
I have also been given the opportunity to become involved in local marketing events in the local area and to progress my own professional development through the STEP Course.
Sills & Betteridge promote a work-life balance and encourage flexible working - It is great to work for a business that has an excellent reputation and who truly value their staff.
Charlotte Scott
I started working at Sills & Betteridge in October 2021 when I joined a Legal Secretary in the Commercial Property department. Since joining as a secretary I have been promoted to a Legal Assistant and also applied for a Training Contract which I successfully obtained and will start in September 2023.
One of the best things about Sills is definitely the people, not just your direct team but everyone in the company. Everyone is always so helpful, warm and welcoming and the atmosphere is always very friendly. I have attended a few social events put on by Sills and had a great time at each one of them.
The company support and value their staff and strongly encourage their professional development. There are always people you can go to if you feel you have a problem.
Since joining the company I have been a lot happier and working here feels more like being a part of a family rather than just a company.
Jennifer Lowe
Sills is a thriving business with exciting plans for regional expansion which makes it a fabulous place for those of us in non-legal roles to work. In addition to the lawyers and their support teams, there is a huge department of HR, IT, Accounts, Marketing and other professionals who do vital work to support the firm's development. We are very well recognised and supported.