Here at WBW, we value every one of our team members. Each member of staff has their own stories, motivations and reasons why they enjoy working for WBW.
Today we talk to Katrina Skeels, Solicitor in the Property department at our Seaton office.
What is your role at WBW and what area of law do you specialise in?
I am a Solicitor specialising in Conveyancing. I buy and sale property (both freehold and leasehold), deal with transfers of equity, re-mortgages and unregistered land.
What did you want to be when you were young?
The young me wanted to work with animals and potentially become a vet. I love animals and now have three cats myself but I discovered a squeamishness.
What was your first full time job?
I was an administration assistant for a mental health charity who sought to improve the lives of people living with mental illness with the running of various groups and services. This was only a temporary contract and then after I started working in the legal sector.
What made you decide to practice (family/property/disputes/private client etc.) law?
My first job in the legal sector was a legal assistant for a national law firm in the property sector and I have just worked my way up from there. Since starting, I have always enjoyed working in this area of law.
What do you like the most about the town you work in?
The people all seem to be very nice and being able to walk along by the sea at lunch time is a very nice novelty (the chips and ice cream is a nice bonus).
What has been the best moment in your career?
I don’t have a particular best one moment but I love the feeling of dealing with a particularly complex transaction and advising my client that the transaction has completed.
What are your top tips for client’s?
Even though it is very difficult I would advise clients not to try and make any practical arrangements for completion until exchange of contracts has taken place which then makes the completion date legally binding. Until exchange of contracts, the completion date can theoretically move and it will cause more stress if arrangements are made for the date to then move to fit the requirements of other people in the chain.
What has been the most challenging part of your career?
The last few years with the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday has caused a surge in property matters meaning we have been very busy with the increase in workload but coupled with the coronavirus pandemic it has been difficult to run “normally” with sickness and social distancing.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your profession?
That all solicitors are slow! Conveyancing is a process that has to be followed and is also ultimately a team effort between the seller, buyer and all of the solicitors. Unfortunately, it is not the case of just signing some documents and buying a house.
What’s your favourite holiday destination?
I absolutely love Italy. It is such a beautiful place and there is pasta, pizza and gelato.
Who has been an inspiration for you?
My Dad who has always taught me the value of hard work.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
I love reading books so probably one of my favourite authors Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, Robert Jordon and Naomi Novik to name a few!
An interesting fact about me is…
Many many years ago I was the No.1 women squash player for the south west through the college competitions.
Should you have a Property matter that you wish to discuss with Katrina, please contact her by telephone on 01297 626957 or email katrinaskeels@wbw.co.uk.
WBW has offices in Torquay, Paignton, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Bovey Tracey, Exmouth, Honiton, Sidmouth, Launceston, Axminster, Chard and Seaton.
