Jo Leonard

Jo joined our Wills, Probate & Estate Planning department in February 2018 and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (ACILEx). Having started as a Paralegal, Jo completed her CILEx studies to qualify as a Wills and Probate Executive in 2021 and in 2023 she was promoted to Private Client Executive. She has continued with her studies and is now completing the required portfolio to obtain her CILEx Probate Practice Rights.

Having worked in Wills, Probate & Estate Planning for many years, Jo has gained valuable knowledge and experience in drafting Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection matters, obtaining Grants of Probate and Estate Administration. During her time with the firm, Jo has been the lead lawyer on Charity Wills schemes for Naomi House and Cancer Research UK, has become a Mental Health First Aider and was part of the team when the department won the Wills & Probate Award 2020 for Best Use of Social Media.

When working with her clients, Jo feels it is important to be professional as well as friendly, to ensure they are made to feel at ease from the outset and they are in the “right hands”. Meeting with clients at what can be an extremely difficult and challenging time in their life, Jo is keen to build a good relationship with all clients and provide them with an extremely professional service while obtaining the help and assistance they need. She adopts her friendly and approachable nature with both her clients and her colleagues, making herself available for anyone who requires assistance or even if it is just to talk. As a Mental Health First Aider, Jo takes her responsibilities seriously and is always happy to talk through any issues a colleague may be having and to lend a listening ear.

I had never been to a Solicitor before, so didn't know quite what to expect, and both my Mother and Sister had recently died, so l was still feeling vulnerable, even though my Daughter was with me. However, all was so calm and peaceful that l immediately felt at ease. I had come to get my Will written and l was particularly feeling the importance of it. Jo Leonard, my Solicitor, was refreshingly down to earth, and l so appreciated that, as it pushed aside any barriers and we got on well. All questions were answered and things explained, she was kind and patient but very professional, and all the staff that l met there were too. I was very grateful to them all, as it was a difficult time in my life, but it was something that l knew l must do and not leave.

The responsibility of being an executor for someone you hold in the highest regard is a daunting prospect. Having a trusted sibling by your side helps but even with the simplest of wills, the process is a legal quagmire.
That is where Gareth and Jo came in. What my brother and I were most impressed with was their professional integrity. They empowered us to do as much as we could and enabled us to understand the legal framework by explaining all the terminology in language we could understand. Face to face communication for us, is always our first choice but in a pandemic, this option was taken away from us but both Gareth and Jo navigated us through it superbly. I would highly recommend this team to anyone with the reassurance you will be treated fairly and with the upmost respect.

Fantastic service from Jo Leonard who made the whole process simple and easy. Great to deal with and very reassuring approach. Would definitely use Jo again and recommend her to others.

We used Gareth and Jo from Parker Bullen for our Wills after receiving a recommendation from a friend. Great service, very clear instructions, understanding our needs, explaining things so we can easily understand and gave some great advice along the way. I was expecting this to be a painful service but it was easy. Highly recommended.

Prior to joining the firm, Jo worked at Barker Son & Isherwood LLP from 2002 until 2018 where she started as a Legal Secretary/Assistant.

There are many reasons why Jo enjoys working life at Parker Bullen, from the outstanding reputation we have, our ambitions to evolve continuously, and the open, friendly and approachable feeling from everyone in the firm, no matter their position.

Outside of work, Jo is a regular attendee at Southampton Football Club as a Season Ticket Holder. When she is not pitch-side, Jo enjoys eating out and spending time with her family and friends.