On the move: the latest East Midlands hires

Langleys Solicitors has added to its private law division with the appointment of two legal professionals.

Andrew Gowar joins the Lincoln and York-based firm as partner while Judy Lankester comes on board as an associate solicitor.

Gowar has worked for law firms in Leeds and York, most recently as head of private client at Harrowells. He graduated from Durham University and the University of Law, where he is now a visiting lecturer.

He specialises in advising clients on estates, trusts and capital tax planning and has considerable experience of advising agricultural clients.

Lankester specialises in agricultural law, dealing with farms and high value residential work for landed estates. In Yorkshire, she has worked for Walker Morris and Wilkin Chapman in Beverley.

Mark Day, head of the private law division at Langleys, said: “Andrew and Judy are significant hires for Langleys and will enhance our reputation for agricultural work and advising individuals on their personal and financial affairs, especially those from an agricultural background.”

Two members of the private client team at law firm Shakespeare Martineau have taken up senior roles on behalf of the 20,000-strong members of STEP, a professional organisation of specialist practitioners who provide advice for families on inheritance, capital taxes and succession planning.

Suzanne Leggott has been elected as the chair of the East Midlands branch of STEP, which comprises approximately 170 Trusts and Estate Practitioners across the East Midlands region.

Mark Dunkley has been appointed as a member of the STEP mental capacity special interest group steering committee which helps to frame the law and practice in this growing work area, which is becoming increasingly important to individuals and their families.

Leggott, associate partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “It is a real honour to be elected as the Chair of the local branch of such a well-known worldwide organisation that has supporting family issues at its core. Working closely with regional practitioners and on their behalf will be challenge which I am keen to rise to. I will do my best to promote STEP as a brand regionally and to uphold the values and standards it espouses.”