Michaela Warner achieves the gold standard STEP Qualification

Michaela Warner from the Hibberts’ Wills and Probate team has successfully achieved her STEP qualification.

Michaela’s career in law began at Aston University, where she pursued a degree in Law with Management. This unique combination provided her with a strong foundation not only in legal principles but also in the essential management skills that are crucial in any professional environment. During her time at university, she developed a passion for law, particularly in how it intersects with real-world business practices.

After completing her degree, she took the next significant step towards becoming a solicitor by enrolling at BPP in Liverpool to undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC). What made this part of her journey particularly challenging was the fact that she chose to do the LPC part-time during weekends while working full-time at Hibberts. This dual commitment was demanding, but it allowed her to apply the theoretical knowledge she was gaining directly into practice, thus bridging the gap between academic study and real-life legal work.

Michaela’s relationship with Hibberts began even before she completed her Legal Practice Course, as she first joined the firm in June 2014 after completing a summer work placement in 2013. That placement gave her invaluable insight into the daily workings of a law firm and solidified her decision to pursue a career in this field. After successfully completing her LPC, she officially started as a trainee solicitor at Hibberts in March 2018.

Currently, Michaela is a full-time solicitor in the Wills and Probate department at Hibberts. This role has allowed her to specialise in a field that she find incredibly rewarding, helping clients navigate the complexities of estate planning and administration. However, her desire to provide the highest level of service to her clients pushed her to pursue the STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualification.

As the STEP qualification is recognised globally as the gold standard for trust and estate practitioners. Michaela decided to pursue this qualification to gain specialist knowledge that would enable her to offer the best possible advice to her clients. The process was rigorous, involving four intense exams covering the administration of estates, administration of trusts, trust and estate accounting, and taxation of trusts and estates. Three of these exams lasted five hours, and one lasted six hours, each testing not just knowledge but also the application of complex legal principles.

Achieving the STEP qualification has been a significant milestone for Michaela personally and professionally. For Hibberts, it means adding another highly qualified member to the private client team, enhancing our ability to provide specialist advice. For our clients, it translates into receiving top-tier service and expertise in managing their trusts and estates.