People: Lodders; Shawbrook; Harris Lamb; Lanyon Bowdler

Law firm Lodders has bolstered its specialist real estate, family law, and agricultural law teams with five hires.

Joining the real estate group are solicitors Chris Mills, James Leighfield, and Samantha Amphlett.

Family law specialist Katie Hurst joins Lodders’ family team headed up by Beverley Morris.

Also joining Lodders is James Anderson, solicitor in the agricultural Law team headed up by James Spreckley.

Lodders’ managing partner Paul Mourton says: “We are committed to strengthening the future of the firm and investing in experienced, talented solicitors is integral to this strategy. This raft of appointments has been made in direct response to an increase in instructions from clients seeking specialist Real Estate, Agricultural, and Family law advice from Lodders. Our new recruits will bolster our sector-leading teams as well as our reputation for being one of the leading and fastest-growing law firms in the region.”

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Shawbrook has announced the appointment of Sarah Woolf as the new senior regional development manager in its real estate team.

Woolf originally joined Shawbrook in 2012 as a business development manager, and in 2016 took on the role of head of sales.

She left Shawbrook in 2019 to become a broker, helping her gain a wider knowledge and experience of the market and challenges that brokers and their clients face. In her new role, she will be fundamental in strengthening existing, and developing new broker partner relationships across the Midlands to ensure Shawbrook can continue to support its property professional clients.

Woolf said: “Shawbrook is a fantastic place to work, and I am thrilled to have come full circle and be back with the team. My time as a broker has not only strengthened my knowledge of the market and the needs of clients but it also presented me with the opportunity to grow my contacts in the Midlands. This will be invaluable in my new role. I am very much looking forward to working with the sales team, all of whom are passionate about supporting brokers and their clients.

“It has been incredible to see the scale of growth since I left in 2019, and I am looking forward to playing my part in continuing, and accelerating Shawbrook’s growth.”

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Harris Lamb’s planning team has started a new chapter with the announcement of the retirement of Patrick Downes as head of planning and confirmation of his successor Simon Hawley.

Downes joined Harris Lamb 23 years ago to establish the business’ planning team, which has subsequently grown to a 12-strong department overseeing a diverse range of instructions across the UK. He will leave the business at the end of September.

He said: “I would like to thank all the clients who have very kindly given us instructions over the years and who have provided me with some memorable professional opportunities.  I would also like to thank all of my colleagues, both in the planning team and at Harris Lamb, and the wide range of consultants who have worked alongside us.

“I am delighted that Simon is taking over, having joined the team some 16 years ago.  He is thoroughly professional, very client focused and he and the rest of the team will continue to provide a first class service to our many clients.

“I wish Simon and the team, and all of my Harris Lamb colleagues, the very best for the future.”

Hawley said: “This is an exciting time for both myself and the team; I believe this is the strongest planning team we have had at Harris Lamb with a great range of experience and skill sets, developed over the years under Patrick’s care. Over the past two decades and beyond, Patrick has provided a huge amount of support to his colleagues, and earned the respect of his peers throughout the industry. While we will be extremely sad to see him leave, he has certainly earned some down time and we wish him well.

“With our wide client base and range of instructions I am very much looking forward to pushing the department on with my colleagues and look forward to working with all of our clients in the future as we continue to grow the business.”

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A Shropshire law firm has promoted six lawyers to the position of associate.

Brian Evans, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler, said the promotions recognised the hard work and commitment of those involved and highlighted the strength in depth of talent at the firm.

Four of the six – Ruth Edwards, Katie Baker, Emma Deering and Jennifer Edwards – work out of Lanyon Bowdler’s Conwy office in North Wales while Emma Jones is based in Telford and Stephanie Barton works at the firm’s office in Ludlow.

Evans said: “I am delighted to announce the six new appointments, each one has made a significant contribution to the firm and has a commitment to the highest level of customer service expected of Lanyon Bowdler.
“It’s important that these efforts are recognised and rewarded and I wish our new associate lawyers all the best in their new roles.
“The promotions reflect the ongoing success of the firm as we continue to build an increasing client base.

“One of the things I enjoy as managing partner is seeing people develop in their roles, and progress within the firm.

“We are committed to supporting career development and strongly believe that this level of continuity can only benefit the firm and our clients.
“I believe this is the largest number of associate promotions we have ever had in one go, which is wonderful to see.”