Legal appointments

A round up of Yorkshire’s top legal appointments.

ONE of the UK’s largest family law firms, headed by leading divorce lawyer Marilyn Stowe, has appointed an international family law specialist to its 41-strong team.

Robin Charrôt will be working across Stowe Family Law’s two offices in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and Hale, Cheshire, following a move from Channel Islands practice Carey Olsen. Along with Marilyn Stowe he is also a Fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, having been appointed for his work in Jersey.

Also a qualified collaborative lawyer, he brings more than a decade’s experience of complex family law cases to the team, which specialises in cases involving assets of £500,000 to £100m plus.

Robin Charrôt said: “Stowe Family Law is the North of England’s premier private client family practice, with a reputation for taking on challenging cases. I am delighted to have become its newest member. My work has already proved rewarding.”

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LEEDS and Bradford law firm Gordons has announced that partners Barbara Rollin and Matthew Howarth will become the new heads of department for commercial property and commercial litigation respectively.

Ms Rollin will lead one of Yorkshire’s largest commercial property practices comprising 32 fee earners whilst Matthew, who was previously head of intellectual property at Gordons, will manage a seven partner team with a reputation for resolving disputes swiftly and economically.

Having joined Gordons as a solicitor to head up the property finance practice in 2003, she was made a partner in 2004.

Ms Rollin is a well-respected figure on the region’s commercial property scene and has played a significant role in implementing the department’s successful growth strategy.

Mr Howarth began working for the firm as a partner in 2003 and is regarded as a highly effective litigator.

The firm currently employs 300 people, 180 of which are fee earners. Gordons’ departments include banking and finance, commercial property, corporate, commercial litigation, construction, intellectual property, employment, regulatory, residential conveyancing, personal injury, personal and family.

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YORKSHIRE based law firm, Rollits, has announced the promotion of two employees in the property and company and commercial departments.

Richard Stirk, who works in Rollits Property Department in York has been promoted to associate, while John Flanagan, a Solicitor in Company and Commercial in Hull, has now been promoted to Senior Solicitor.

Mr Stirk joined Rollits in 2006 from the College of Law in York, where he was a lecturer on the Legal Practice Course and the Graduate Diploma in Law.

He now acts for Registered Social Landlords in the Social Housing Group advising on property and other issues. He also works on other major social housing projects handled by the firm.

Mr Flanagan, who joined the firm in 2002 as a trainee and qualified in 2004, is based at the Hull office specialising in corporate work including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.

Managing partner Richard Field said: “We aim to encourage continual development and training throughout Rollits, so it is very pleasing to see these talented individuals progressing in the firm. Their commitment to the firm and the depth of knowledge in each of their particular areas of expertise is a great asset to Rollits and our clients.”

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TWO new appointments have been made at Godloves Solicitors.

Howard Dapin is to head the Wills, Trust and Probate Department of Godloves Solicitors, Leeds, whilst continuing to work in residential conveyancing.

The practice has also taken on Stephanie Pennington, an astute expert in inheritance tax. Stephanie will work under Howard as a wills and probate solicitor.

Mr Dapin started his career with Jobbings Creasey qualifying as a solicitor in 1984.

After a brief period with A V Hammond, he joined Teeman Levine in 1985 dealing with Wills, Trust, Probate and Conveyancing.

He became a partner in Teeman Levine in 1990 and when the firm of Teeman Levine merged with Irwin Mitchell solicitors of Sheffield in 1996 he became a partner in the merged practice.

Mr Dapin qualified in November 2006 with Keeble Hawson Solicitors where she worked as an assistant solicitor in the private client department undertaking work involving drafting wills to incorporate tax planning for high net worth individuals.

Godloves Solicitors is a Leeds based firm with a city centre office on Dock Street and branches in Beeston, Garforth and Chapel Allerton.