People: LCF Law; Saffery; Han Law Co; and more
Yorkshire-based LCF Law has promoted 11 members of its team, in recognition of their contributions and commitment to the firm.
Andrew Langton and Hana Gwyn have both become partners. Langton, who leads the debt recovery team joined LCF Law in 2014 and has grown the department, increasing turnover 15-fold.
He said: “We offer clients a debtor funded recovery service, which can be invaluable for their business.
“We work with great people and great businesses, and I’m lucky to be a part of such a fabulous team at LCF Law supporting them to develop and grow in their careers.”
Gwyn works with the 29-strong personal law team and has been with the firm since 2020.
Her promotion reflects her aptitude for high-net-worth client work, enabling clients to protect their assets and tax plan efficiently. She will now lead the personal law team based in the Harrogate office.
She said: “LCF Law has allowed me to grow in my own way, putting its confidence in me to do what I’m good at and supporting me to pursue an area of the law I’m passionate about.
“Building long-term relationships with clients and working with other trusted advisers to ensure clients feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the future and mitigating any issues along the way is very rewarding.”
Kelly Gilbert, Will Bates and Brad Stewart have all been promoted to senior associates.
Both Gilbert and Bates are in the 26-strong disputes team and Gilbert’s promotion comes one year after joining the firm.
Bates joined LCF Law in 2022 and resolves commercial disputes. Recently he successfully defended an application for a summary judgment, as part of a three-day hearing in London’s High Court.
Gilbert recently resolved a dispute for a multi jurisdiction estate worth several million pounds.
Bates said: “Obviously disputes can escalate and go to court, but often the most satisfactory results are achieved when we secure a positive outcome for a client via other avenues, including mediation.”
Stewart is a corporate lawyer who joined LCF Law seven years ago. He advises clients selling businesses of all sizes in every industry sector.
Emily Hickling, Ryan Cotton and Thomas Taylor have all been promoted to associates.
Both Hickling and Cotton work in the 18-strong real estate team. Hickling has been with the firm four years and one of her clients is an international charity.
Cotton joined LCF Law in 2019 and works on property projects for national and international charities involving disposals, acquisitions and leases, as well a negotiating planning agreements and advising on liability risks.
Taylor specialises in commercial and digital law and joined the firm in 2020.
He said: “A recent project involved working with an IT consultancy that was expanding its global partner program.
“I prepared a comprehensive suite of key documents, covering partner agreements, trademark licenses, data-sharing, and value-added reseller agreements.
“Playing a pivotal role in the firm’s growth strategy, my work strengthened partnerships and safeguarded the firm’s intellectual property, as it expanded globally.”
A further three members of the team have also been promoted having passed their final exams and legal qualifications several months ahead of schedule.
Holly Jordan, Jonathan Gardner and Melanie Parsons have all been promoted to solicitors.
Managing partner, Ragan Montgomery, said: “We really appreciate what Andrew, Hana, Kelly, Will, Brad, Emily, Ryan, Thomas, Holly, Jonathan and Melanie bring to the business.
“Talented, dedicated and passionate about the areas of law they operate in, each one of them really does deserve their promotion.
“We are firmly committed to supporting career progression and a number of our partners started at the firm as trainees.”
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A chartered tax advisor, who most recently headed the tax transaction team of a well-known, top 20 accountancy firm in London, has joined chartered accounting and business advisory firm, Saffery in Leeds as a director.
The strategic appointment sees Tony Dillow join the 14-strong corporate tax team in Leeds, which is one of the firm’s nine UK regional offices.
With a wealth of tax advisory and transactional experience, he advises entrepreneurs, companies, search funds, and private equity investors on tax issues, with a particular focus around acquisitions, disposals and group restructuring.
Dillow said: “My role as an adviser is to support clients to achieve their commercial objectives with tax efficient solutions.
“I enjoy working with clients in a wide range of industries, including the renewables, software and recruitment sectors.
“In recent years, I’ve also carried out transactional work for several specialist investment vehicles and private equity funds.
“I’m looking forward to continuing with transactional work, as well as supporting Saffery’s existing client base, helping to navigate the challenges and opportunities throughout the business lifecycle.
“Whether it’s implementing a tax efficient share scheme, facilitating a group restructure or helping with an acquisition or disposal, I’m keen to collaborate with ambitious entrepreneurs and the vibrant mergers and acquisitions community here in Yorkshire.”
Jonathan Davis, partner and head of Saffery’s Yorkshire office, said: “Tony is a great addition to our team, highly capable, likable and experienced and we are lucky he chose to make the move up north!
“He will not only strengthen our offering in Yorkshire and the North West, where we have a team of more than 30 tax experts, but he will also work with national clients, putting his transactional skills to good use.”
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Halifax-based Han Law Co has expanded its team with the addition of Samantha Quinn, a dual-qualified Solicitor Advocate with a reputable standing for complex employment and discrimination matters.
Quinn has over 14 years experience as a practicing lawyer including opening her own employment law firm, and a barrister’s chambers.
She has a full range of experience in employment law, discrimination, commercial, and corporate law.
Hannah Strawbridge, CEO of Han Law, said: “Samantha’s wealth of knowledge will be invaluable, making her a great addition to the team.
“Her advocacy skills and varied experience will further strengthen our offering. She is a think-outside-the-box lawyer who always goes the extra mile for her clients, which makes her the perfect fit for Han Law.”
Quinn added: “I am very excited to begin my new chapter with Han Law and to work alongside its incredible team.
“This role allows me to work with a full range of clients and put my full range of experience into practice. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
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Leeds-based PR and brand marketing agency Aberfield Communications is continuing to grow as it welcomes Natalie Jalili as its latest PR consultant.
Jalili, who recently relocated to Leeds from London, kickstarted her career at integrated communications agencies, and brings with her a wealth of experience in B2C campaigns, brand partnerships, and social media marketing.
Initially specialising in destination marketing and retail PR, she has delivered successful placemaking campaigns for notable clients including New West End Company (Oxford Street), Grosvenor (Mayfair and Belgravia), and the City of London Corporation.
Her experience also spans the food and drink, and hospitality sectors, where she worked with Clearspring and International Beverage.
She said: “I am passionate about creating meaningful connections, whether that is with clients, between brands and audiences, or within communities.
“Aberfield’s commitment to driving positive influence through insight-led campaigns really resonates with me, and I am excited to collaborate with the team on impactful work.”
Tim Downs, director, added: “As Aberfield continues to grow, we are focused on building a team that delivers outstanding client service and ingenuity.
“Natalie’s background in destination PR, combined with her experience working in food and drink will further boost our experience and bring new insights and creativity to our campaigns.”
