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

Molly, 26, specialises in health and welfare matters in the Court of Protection at Clarke Willmott LLP.

She was the first member of the private capital team to join the Cardiff office in November 2019 and has since been involved in complex deprivation of liberty cases as well as health and welfare cases.

The awards were announced via a live-streamed virtual award ceremony on 11 September and celebrated the individuals and firms providing excellence in the legal profession in Wales.

Molly said: “I was thrilled to be a finalist so to actually win was just fantastic and lovely recognition for the work I’m doing.

“A lot of my work is with vulnerable adults – who may lack capacity – and their representatives or family members, in health and welfare matters. Covid-19 brought with it a whole new set of concerns for vulnerable people and how they would cope with lockdown measures. My caseload has been busier than ever for the past few months so this is a really welcome achievement.

“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.”

Anthony Fairweather, partner and head of the private client team at Clarke Willmott, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Molly and very well-deserved, especially after all her hard work.

“Court of Protection cases are often complex and require a compassionate lawyer. We are lucky to have her on our team and are pleased to congratulate her on this win.”

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.

Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

For more information about Clarke Willmott’s private capital team visit: www.clarkewillmott.com or contact Molly at: molly.fensome-lush@clarkewillmott.com.