Bev Binns

Beverley is one of our longest serving secretaries.

She joined Taylor&Emmet’s conveyancing department in January 1989 and remains a loyal and hardworking member of the team.

When Bev started at the firm Taylor&Emmet was still quite small, with just two offices and around 40 members of staff. Although it has grown significantly since, it retains a caring and friendly atmosphere.

Bev worked for our senior partner, Peter Blower, until his retirement in April 2008. They shared experiences and built a trust that enabled her to show initiative and be a great support to Peter. Following his departure, Bev made an easy transition to the probate department where she is now relishing the new challenges she faces.

Longstanding members of the Taylor&Emmet team enjoy a loyalty bonus, longer holidays and pension contributions. They also benefit from enduring relationships with other members of staff.

Bev said: “Being part of the Taylor&Emmet team is a real pleasure and I still love coming to work after nearly 20 years. Despite increasing staff numbers, there is no strict hierarchy and everyone is on first name terms. Throughout this period of growth, the firm has remained a friendly, yet professional place to work.”

Although Bev joined Taylor&Emmet in a full time position, she returned to work on a part time basis after her maternity leave ended in 2006. Thanks to the firm’s progressive outlook, she has been able to successfully manage both parts of her life and now work and family goes hand in hand.

Sarah Gaunt

Sarah is a partner in our residential property team and has worked at Taylor&Emmet for the last 10 years.

She started life at the firm as a paralegal, but quickly progressed to dealing with re-mortgage work and running her own files, which soon became a full time job.

Sarah was offered a training contract with the firm in April 1999 and because of the time she had already spent in residential conveyancing, it was reduced to 18 months.

During her training period, Sarah enjoyed seats with the residential conveyancers at Ecclesall Road, as well as the family and probate departments. She qualified as a solicitor in September 2000 and was offered a new position, again in the residential property team.

When Taylor&Emmet decided to open a new homes department, Sarah was keen to be involved and she remains an important part of its ongoing success. She ensures builders’ deadlines are complied with and that competitive fee deals can be put in place when the firm is instructed on more than one property in a development.

After about a year of dealing with new homes, Sarah added another string to her bow and became a member of the housing associations team, based at Ecclesall Road. She was then promoted to associate solicitor in 2003, before becoming a salaried partner two years later.

In 2006, Sarah was asked to manage the Ecclesall Road branch, where she continued to work until being offered the opportunity to lead the opening of Taylor&Emmet’s newest office in Dronfield.

Sarah said: “Working at Taylor&Emmet has always been very rewarding and I am lucky to have learned from some extremely talented individuals, who have helped and supported my career progression.

“Establishing and managing the opening of our Dronfield branch has been another exciting new experience for me. I am currently working with an excellent team and enjoying the challenges that come my way.”

Rebecca Hutchinson

Becky is proof that hard work and determination are just as likely to reap career success as academic achievement.

She started life with Taylor&Emmet in 2008 as a secretary in our employment law department, having held a long standing ambition to enter the legal profession.

After finishing her A-levels, Becky had intended to pursue a law degree. However, the birth of her daughter meant attending university would have to wait. Two years later, she started to think again about her career progression and applied for the secretarial position at Taylor&Emmet.

It quickly became clear that employment law fascinated Becky and she was eager for new challenges. She decided to embark upon the vocational qualifications run by the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) and after demonstrating what an asset she was to the firm, Taylor&Emmet offered to sponsor her studies.

In March 2011, Becky was promoted to legal assistant and work is now very different. She proactively manages cases, assists her employment team colleagues and has much more contact with clients, particularly new enquiries. Soon Becky will be handling her own cases and pro bono work.

Taylor&Emmet’s flexible approach to career development and vocational study has allowed Becky to progress rapidly. She said: “By liaising closely with HR manager, Hannah Sharpe and my department head, we have been able to organise a working week that suits my family and the firm. My home life is incredibly busy as, in addition to my daughter, I now have three young steps sons and a puppy to care for! Without the support and encouragement I have received from Taylor&Emmet, I would have found it very difficult to further my career.”

Becky is still studying for her ILEX qualifications and hopes to become a fully qualified solicitor. She added: “I really enjoy employment law and would like to continue working with the team for many years. New Taylor&Emmet employees are made to feel very welcome and I have some great friends at the firm. In rare moments of free time, I even manage to enjoy the social life!”