Molly’s star rising in the legal firmament

Cardiff solicitor Molly Fensome-Lush has been named a finalist in the Rising Star of the Year category in the prestigious Wales Legal Awards 2020.

Molly, who joined Clarke Willmott as the first member of the private capital team in our office in Pierhead Street in November 2019, specialises in health and welfare matters in the Court of Protection.

She regularly advises vulnerable adults (who may lack capacity) and their representatives, or family members in health and welfare matters and complex deprivation of liberty cases.

Molly said: “It was so exciting when I discovered I was a finalist. It’s really lovely to have the recognition, particularly at the moment with everything going on with COVID-19.

“With the lockdown measures, and concern over its effects on vulnerable people, my caseload is busier than ever.

“All court hearings are being conducted remotely at the moment which comes with its own challenges, particularly for some of our more vulnerable clients, but it’s working fairly well in the circumstances.

“I absolutely love the work that I do, and although it can be emotionally demanding, I feel really fortunate to have a job where I can make a real difference”.

Molly, who was awarded a first-class honours degree in Law from Cardiff University in 2015, says she was drawn to Court of Protection work after previously working as a volunteer.

“My mum is the deputy head of a pupil referral unit and I used to help out there when I was younger which made me aware of how important it is that vulnerable people have a voice.

“When I’ve had a tough day, it’s great to be able to pick up the phone to her, as she completely understands where I’m coming from.”

Molly is a Law Society Accredited Legal Representative – one of only three based in South Wales and is also a member of the Court of Protection Practitioners Association in Wales.

She is experienced in challenging decisions that someone lacks capacity in areas including residence, care and treatment, contact/sexual relations and social media.

When she’s not at work, Molly loves to dance and has studied ballet, tap, modern, ballroom and jazz, and is looking forward to going back to classes once the lockdown is over.

The Court of Protection makes decisions for people who lack the mental capacity to manage their own affairs for any reason, such as an injury, dementia, a disability or learning difficulty. The decisions the Court of Protection can make include who should manage a person’s finances and which residential or medical care they should receive.