People: Four partner promotions at law firm’s Leeds office, Harrogate firms add to teams and property consultancy brings in GVA surveyor

Four senior lawyers have been promoted in the Leeds office of Squire Patton Boggs to partner level.

David Holland and Tom Telford have been promoted after joining the firm as trainees ten years ago. They are joined by David Chan and Jonathan Ross.

Holland is an experienced real estate litigation lawyer, specialising in land compensation matters and compulsory purchase cases.

Chan is also a property lawyer, focusing on regeneration, development and energy work.

A banking specialist, Telford acts for banks and borrowers in acquisition finance, property finance, general corporate banking and asset-based lending. H

Corporate lawyer Ross has also worked in-house on secondment with Shell in London and BlueScope Steel in Melbourne, Australia.

John Alderton, managing partner of Squire Patton Boggs in Leeds, said: “I would like to congratulate our new partners on their well-deserved promotions.

“Whether our lawyers are home-grown or joining us from other firms, we are focused on creating the right climate to enable them to flourish and establish long and successful careers.

“This latest round of promotions is testament to the achievements of our new partners and also the efforts of many people in the firm who have worked to support them on their journey. We wish them every continued success.”

Pictured: David Chan, Tom Telford, office managing partner John Alderton, Jonathan Ross and David Holland.

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Harrogate solicitor Julie Fawcett has joined the family law team at Newton Solicitors.

The appointment of Fawcett, a founder and former managing director of Harrogate law firm, Taylor Fawcett, takes the team to seven family law solicitors.

She will act in divorce and separation and their financial aspects; children disputes between families including parents, grandparents and others; public law work where children may be separated from their family; domestic abuse and injunctions; cohabitation and separation for same sex couples, and adoption.

She said: “Newtons Solicitors has a first-rate reputation and I’m very pleased to be joining a specialist team of family lawyers offering the full range of legal services to the community and committed to maintaining affordable legal representation for people in need.”

Newtons Solicitors managing director, Chris Newton, says: “I’ve known Julie for over 20 years. She is an extremely popular solicitor and our team is very happy that she is joining us.”

Newtons Solicitors has its head office in Knaresborough and nine others across Yorkshire and the North East.

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Michael Goodare has been hired as a senior surveyor at the Leeds office of property consultants Knight Frank.

He joins from GVA in Leeds, where he spent three years in their valuation consultancy division, and prior to that has worked for Leeds City Council.

He said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Knight Frank and am eager to further develop my career with a world-renowned valuation practice. The department is well-regarded across the Yorkshire region and I am excited to contribute to its continued success. I look forward to meeting the team’s existing clients and to developing new contacts to further expand Knight Frank’s presence in the region.’

Paul Hallam, head of the Valuations team in Leeds, said: “Michael is a valuable addition to our team. His expertise and experience will help with the expansion of the department.”

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Harrogate law firm Kirbys Solicitors has appointed two staff to its estate planning and family law departments.

Sara Spencer has joined as an associate senior trust and estate practitioner, while Lisa Cooke has taken on the role of associate solicitor to further boost family law services at the firm’s Harrogate offices.

Cooke has also worked for Bywaters Topham Phillips LLP and will be specialising in divorce, financial matters and Children Act proceedings.

Managing partner, Mark Hutchinson, said: “Kirbys has a rich history of delivering quality legal expertise in the Yorkshire region, while constantly evolving to meet the challenges posed by today’s changing society. Sara and Lisa will help the firm meet the high expectations of its clients and will play a vital role in driving the firm forward.”