Happenings in Hampshire

HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE

Law firm appoints new managing partner

Mike Watson

Trethowans, a leading South Coast law firm, has appointed a new managing partner.

Mike Watson, who has led the firm’s corporate team for more than 10 years and is part of the existing management board, takes on the position effective 1 April 2021.

“I am proud to be appointed Trethowans’ new managing partner,” said Mike. “I have lots of positive ideas and initiatives for the firm, including enhancing our client service delivery by using market leading technology and continuing to attract the best legal talent, all whilst staying true to our roots and our culture.

“We are heavily investing in our IT infrastructure to drive efficiencies for our clients. This will also ensure we continue to enable our lawyers to divide their time between the office and home beyond Covid-19. This will be the new norm and law firms need to embrace it.”

The firm is also implementing a range of new wellbeing initiatives for staff, including an interactive wellbeing centre, where staff can access education, support and other tools to help with physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Mike emphasised: “Trethowans has a special culture, in which employees are given the freedom to operate autonomously where possible and made to feel part of, and instrumental in, the success of the firm.

“Our continued growth in the last 12 months is down to each and every person at Trethowans and the ongoing support from our clients. The feeling of being part of a growing and successful law firm, where every person and client is valued, is one of the reasons I joined and why we appeal to aspiring lawyers across the South of England.”

Recruitment will be a key objective for Trethowans. The firm is opening a new 2,000 square foot Winchester office in April and is actively seeking to appoint ten new lawyers across the property, family, private client and agricultural sectors.

Former managing partner Chris Whiteley, who has been instrumental in leading Trethowans from strength to strength over his six-year tenure, will become senior partner and continue to work closely with Mike on the firm’s management board. He added: “Mike is dedicated, hardworking and knowledgeable. Having worked with him for the last six years on the firm’s management board I am sure that he will do a fantastic job and wish him every success in his new role.” ■

Major new appointment for Trethowans

Trethowans, a leading law firm based in Hampshire, has appointed Steve Cole as its new head of banking and finance.

Steve’s recruitment represents a major statement by the firm, reflecting its continued commitment to the provision of dedicated banking and finance services to support its varied client base. As a leading banking and finance lawyer in the region, Steve has built an excellent reputation from advising on a broad range of complex financial transactions for banks, other institutional lenders and corporate borrowers, in a career spanning over 20 years.

Steve will lead the banking and finance practice at Trethowans, with responsibility for service delivery to existing clients, development of new business and management of a fastgrowing team.

“Trethowans are building an enviable team of purebred banking and finance lawyers. I am delighted to join the firm at a key stage in its development to head up this area of the practice,” said Steve. “As a dedicated practice area, members of the team focus all of their time on banking and finance matters, which means we have the breadth of resources and expertise to support our clients’ needs across a wide range of financial transactions. Our objective is to become the leading banking and finance practice on the south coast.

He continued: “I joined Trethowans because I was in search of a fresh challenge and have always admired the firm’s strong sense of culture, dynamism and identity. I spoke to many people before accepting this position and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The team has been incredibly welcoming and I can’t wait to get started.”

Mike Watson, Trethowans’ managing partner, said: “Steve is one of the most pre-eminent banking lawyers in the south and his recruitment is testament to the continued investment we are making in our banking and finance practice.”

Nick Gent, Trethowans’ recently appointed head of corporate, who was influential in bringing Steve to the firm, added: “Steve’s team will not just be servicing the needs of lenders and borrowers, it will support other areas of the firm that require banking and finance expertise as part of the robust, holistic service we provide to clients. Steve is highly capable and I am excited to be working with him.” ■

Shoosmiths appoints new fintech specialist

Prakash Kerai

Leading technology and fintech lawyer, Prakash Kerai (PK) is the latest partner recruited to UK law firm Shoosmiths’ commercial team with an office in Solent.

Over the last fifteen years, Prakash has advised on technology and fintech arrangements at a top 30 UK law firm, becoming its head of fintech.

Prakash – who joins the firm from DAC Beachcroft – has a wealth of technology and fintech experience. He works with a range of clients such as technology buyers, frequently in financial services, and from technology and fintech scale-ups and SMEs – including challenger and disruptor brands. He has substantial experience as an in-house technology lawyer.

He will work closely with commercial partner and head of technology, media and commercial practice, David Jackson and commercial partner, Joe Stephenson to further boost the firm’s TMT team that is ranked Bank 1 by both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK Guide.

Prakash will also work closely with the firm’s financial services sector team headed by partner Stephen Dawson to support their financial services clients with their fintech needs.

Prakash said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Shoosmiths’ highly rated technology team – especially when the firm is launching a number of innovative projects with more being planned for the future.”

David Jackson said: “As a noted fintech lawyer, I am pleased that Prakash is joining us with his passion for technology as we launch our eight Connected Services to help our clients with their legal and business requirements across innovation, contracts, corporate advisory, coaching and privacy and data.” ■

Trethowans opens new city office, creating job opportunities

Trethowans has opened a new 2,000 square foot office in Winchester to accommodate growing business demands.

The firm, which originally came to Winchester in 2015, has invested in new premises located on Jewry Street. The result is a modern, stylish and comfortable workspace befitting its clients and employees.

What’s more, Trethowans is recruiting two senior lawyers to join its Winchester-based private client and residential property teams, who will help grow the business and serve people living in the local area.

“We were planning to move to bigger offices last year before the pandemic struck and are delighted to now make those plans a reality as the lockdown restrictions start to ease” said Emma Wilders-Pratt, Partner – Family, who heads up Trethowans’ Winchester office.

The firm is a multi-disciplinary practice offering a wide range of services to private individuals and businesses alike. The firm’s private client and property teams are, however, seeking reinforcements into the Winchester office (as well as other offices) due to the high demand created by a number of factors including the stamp duty holiday, increased divorce rates and an increase in awareness regarding estate planning.

Emma continued: “Our research indicates that people living in Winchester often go out of town to seek legal assistance, namely London, which is typically very expensive. We offer the same high-quality services but delivered locally at an affordable price.”

Trethowans has been offering legal services to businesses and individuals in the south of England for over 150 years with offices in Southampton, Salisbury, Poole, Bournemouth and Winchester. ■

Jonathan joins Dutton Gregory Partnership

Jonathan Whettingsteel

After three years of outstanding enthusiasm and achievement since his arrival at the firm, Dutton Gregory is delighted to welcome family law specialist, Jonathan Whettingsteel, as the newest member of its Partnership.

With a decade of experience that has earned him the respect and enviable reputation from clients, colleagues and peers, Jonathan was drawn to Family Law from the very beginning of his legal career.

After law sparked his interest as a teenager, Jonathan first studied the subject for A-level at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College and then decided to devote the following year to seeing if the working environment of a law firm was right for him.

‘I sent out over 50 letters asking for work experience, received a handful of replies and was fortunate to get an interview from Abels Solicitors in Southampton who were just about to advertise for a filing clerk,’ Jonathan recalls.

During the year, Jonathan confirmed his ambition to pursue a legal career, proved his worth as an employee and continued to work part-time while he completed a law degree at Southampton Solent University, an LPC at Guildford College of Law and accepted a training contract where he experienced family, criminal, litigation and private client law.

‘After reflecting on all my studies and experience, I knew Family Law was for me,’ Jonathan says. ‘I enjoy meeting and working with people, have always been interested in their stories and find supporting people through what is often an emotional and difficult time, very rewarding.’

Jonathan qualified as a solicitor and made the move to Winchester in 2012 working as a Family Solicitor dealing with both private and publicly funded clients, as well as gaining professional accreditations from the Law Society.

‘Having lived in Hampshire all my life and grown up in and around the city, I have always had a huge affection for Winchester,’ he says. ‘As I approach the 10 year anniversary since my professional arrival, I really enjoy being part of its business, as well as family communities.’

Jonathan joined Dutton Gregory in March 2018, based in the firm’s Winchester office, became an Associate and was named Hampshire Law Society’s ‘Solicitor of the Year’ the following year, Senior Associate in 2020 and is now accepting the invitation to join the Partnership.

‘I knew of Dutton Gregory through meeting members of their Family Law team in Court, and they were always positive, polite and respectful – very much in line with the firm’s reputation, so when I was presented with the opportunity to join them, I was excited to pursue it.’

‘At interview I was impressed by the firm’s ambition and future plans and knew I wanted to be part of it. Now, as a Partner, I am motivated to make an even bigger contribution to our future success.’

‘Jonathan is a real ‘people person’,’ says Senior Partner, Robert Bolwell. ‘Not only is that evident from his choice of specialism and care for clients, but his enjoyment of networking, supporting colleagues and mentoring junior staff will make a fantastic addition to the Partnership. We are delighted he is joining us.’ ■

BDB Pitmans scores Charity goal by becoming Partner of Saints Foundation in Southampton

The Southampton office of leading law firm BDB Pitmans has scored a charity goal by becoming the official charity law partner of Saints Foundation, the long-standing charity of Southampton Football Club in Hampshire. As the official law firm Partner, BDB Pitmans will be providing the regional charity with pro-bono advice and further legal advice for the duration of the agreement.

The Saints Foundation, who will be celebrating their 20th anniversary next year, aims to transform the lives of the local people by fulfilling their potential and encouraging them to be more involved, active and empowered in the community.

Solicitors in the Southampton office of BDB Pitmans provide legal services across the Solent and central south region, including Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight, the New Forest and surrounding areas. As one of the longest established law firms in the region, BDB Pitmans is committed to supporting local communities, helping the non-for-profit organisations operating in the vicinity.

Kate Parkinson, Senior Associate at BDB Pitmans and charity law specialist, comments: “We are delighted to be working with the Saints Foundation. Charity law is a specialist area and we look forward to using our expertise to support them in their future growth plans.”

Greg Barker, Head of Saints Foundation & Community Partnerships, comments: “We are extremely grateful to all of the team at BDB Pitmans’ Southampton office for selecting Saints Foundation as their chosen charity for the upcoming year. We are really excited to be working together, and the money raised from the partnership will no doubt make a huge difference to many of the individuals and communities that we support in and around the city.” ■