Jackie Pabla
Having started my career as a legal secretary in 1981 at Page & Co solicitors where my duties included typing, handling telephone calls and correspondence as well as dealing with Land Registry and mortgage lenders, I discovered a keen interest for conveyancing.
After my previous superior, Alan McCabe, left the firm in 1985 I was introduced to the new partner of the firm Mr Richard “Dick” Fletcher. During this process of transition, incidentally, Page & Co became Fletcher’s solicitors, Dick was to have a major influence on my career from that point and his enthusiasm pushed me to undertake my ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) course in 1987.
Unfortunately, shortly after I took this decision Dick passed away and Fletcher’s began moving in the direction of the criminal law. Knowing that this was not for me I decided to decamp and move to Yates & Co solicitors to continue in residential conveyancing.
Between the period of 1990 and 1996 I worked closely with the senior partner David Yates in the property department, breaking only briefly when my son was born in 1991. This six year period culminated in Mr Yates giving me permission to act as the primary in the conduct of my own files and by 1998, upon the retirement of Mr Yates, I was made head of the conveyancing department at Yates & Co Solicitors.
By this point in time I finally had the opportunity to resume my studies and in 2001 I was proud to qualify as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
In the years since 2001 I have continually strived to improve professionally, including doing everything I can to make the conveyancing department as productive as possible. Since becoming a Partner at the firm in 2008 I am proud to boast that the conveyancing department at Yates & Co has continued to strengthen and expand, currently there are six full time staff spread over two offices.
As I hope this profile has demonstrated my zeal for continual improvement has never wilted during the 34 years I have been involved in the legal sector. I am always open to new opportunities to learn or to acquire additional skills. In addition to my eagerness to improve I have also built a healthy bank of experience, especially since taking on my own files in 1996, which I can use to give clients the best possible service.
I pride myself on maintaining a friendly and approachable manner with clients as well as striving to respond to questions and queries as quickly as is possible. I sincerely believe that maintaining a healthy, open and convivial atmosphere between myself as a representative of the firm and our clients is the only way to conduct business.
In my time out of the office I enjoy travelling abroad, watching football and cricket and spending time with family and friends.