Joanne has been with Barker Booth & Eastwood for 16 years, she’s a Legal Assistant within the Family Law team. Never one to let the grass grow under her feet, she’s recently begun a Solicitor Apprenticeship at The University Of Central Lancashire.
Joanne has the dubious privilege of being the first member of the team to be featured in our Meet The Team posts.
Name: Joanne Barker
Company and job title/description: Barker Booth & Eastwood, Legal Assistant – Family Law
When did you start working for Barker Booth & Eastwood? My employment with Barker Booth & Eastwood commenced in October 2006.
What is your role? I am a Legal Assistant working in the Family Law Department, presently undertaking the Solicitor Apprentice route with the training and guidance of Barker Booth & Eastwood to become a solicitor, qualifying via the new SQE route and with LLB Hons in 2027.
How has your role progressed? I joined Barker Booth & Eastwood in October 2006 as a legal secretary. I progressed to legal assistant providing support to the solicitors within the Family Law department. My main duties involve providing procedural and clerical support to the solicitors and I also help with the preparation of court documents. This enables the solicitor to focus on advising clients.
In addition to clerical support, I liaise with clients and regularly attend court. I take clients’ instructions and relay those coherently to the solicitor dealing with their case. I am confident in dealing with other professionals such as barristers and other experts and this helps me provide the best service possible for our clients.
For the past 10 years I’ve mostly worked for the head of department, Anne Morley.
I have recently enrolled on a Solicitor Apprenticeship degree course at The University of Central Lancashire. When I qualify I will have my own caseload and clerical support and will continue in propelling Barker Booth & Eastwood as being the no.1 solicitors of choice in Blackpool!
