News

NEWS

News

Stevens & Bolton announces stellar year with 24% increase in revenue

Guildford-based independent UK law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP has today announced its 12th year of consecutive growth, with its financial results for 2021/2022 revealing increases in turnover, net profit and profit per equity partner (PEP).

With revenue for the financial year amounting to £36.1m, Stevens & Bolton has seen a 24% increase on last year and has posted over £14m in net profit (a 22% increase). PEP for the year (in the firm’s all-equity partnership) was £346k, a 36% rise on last year’s performance.

The results are underpinned by double digit revenue growth across eight of the firm’s practice groups, with the commercial litigation and financial restructuring & insolvency practices leading the way. The firm’s international work has also grown significantly, with international clients accounting for more than 20% of revenue.

The past year has also seen the firm announce a string of internal promotions and Partner lateral hires, adding 4 new Partners. The firm accelerated its annual pay review to May this year, resulting in a median increase in pay of 11.5% across all lawyers as well as all staff bonuses during the course of the year equivalent to 6% of salary.

Commenting on the year’s results, James Waddell, recently appointed Managing Partner at Stevens & Bolton LLP, said: “We are delighted with the sustained growth of our firm over a number of years, supporting our independent and international strategy. We will continue our focus on finding new and better ways to help deliver our clients’ objectives, while also providing a platform for our people to thrive in their careers. I would like to thank everyone at the firm for their contribution to our success.” ■

James Waddell

Morr & Co strengthens teams with two new partners

Morr & Co LLP are delighted to announce the addition of two new Partners, Anne McAllister who has been promoted to Partner in the Family Law team, and Kristine Ng who is joining Morr & Co as a Property Dispute Resolution Partner.

Anne McAllister, based in Morr & Co’s Wimbledon office, joined the firm in 2015 and has built a first-rate reputation as a family law solicitor. As well as dealing with the financial issues following family breakdown, Anne also has a particular expertise in dealing with complex issues surrounding arrangements for children.

Kristine Ng joined the firm on 22nd August 2022 as a Partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution team, focussing on the full range of contentious real estate matters. Based primarily in the firm’s Redhill office, Kristine will advise both occupiers and owners on issues surrounding residential and commercial properties. Prior to joining Morr & Co, Kristine Ng worked at DMH Stallard, and has been recognised as “One to watch” in the Chambers & Partners legal guide.

Paul Harvey, Morr & Co’s Managing Partner said “I am delighted to welcome both Anne and Kristine to the partnership. Anne has been an important member of the family team for many years now, and her promotion recognises the outstanding contribution she makes to the firm and to her team. Kristine joins us with a strong reputation in the market, and her experience and expertise make her an excellent addition to our Property Dispute Resolution team.”

Morr & Co’s family team is one of the leading family law practices in the region, with strong teams in Redhill, Wimbledon and Camberley.

The Dispute Resolution team at Morr & Co advise clients across the full spectrum of general dispute resolution, as well as having specialist teams focussed on real estate disputes, tax litigation and contentious probate. ■

Kristine Ng and Anne McAllister

Surrey law firm’s new partner promotions complete record-breaking year

Leading Surrey law firm, Downs Solicitors, has announced a further two promotions after reporting another successful year since pre-pandemic.

Terina Farnan and Nicola Conley became Partners in the family law department at the firm, which has offices in Dorking, Cobham and Godalming, from 1st September 2022. Terina will also become Head of the Family Law department, taking over from long-serving Andrew Christmas.

The latest promotions follow a further six in July 2022 as Victoria Evans, Charmaine Dudman and Melissa Richie became Senior Associates, and colleagues Megan Lawless, Floris Shoebridge and Lucy Whittam were promoted to Associate.

The eight new promotions are Downs Solicitors’ new record for the number of promotions in a year – and the news comes as the firm reports another busy year.

Chris Millar, Downs Solicitors’ Senior Partner said: “The COVID pandemic was a testing time for all of us, but it was our staff and partners at Downs that showed true strength and resilience, which helped us to get through to where we are now. As we come out the other side we’ve enjoyed prosperous growth as a firm and it’s been our pleasure to promote several individuals to their well-deserved new positions.

“I’d like to offer my congratulations to Nicola and Terina and wish them all the very best in their new roles.” ■

Nicola Conley

Terina Farnan

Elite Law Solicitors announces appointment of new Partner and Head of Family Law

Elite Law Solicitors has announced the appointment of Victoria Clarke as Partner and new Head of Family Law.

James Scozzi, Managing Partner of Elite Law Solicitors commented: “I am very pleased that Victoria has joined Elite. She brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise as well as a great reputation in Family Law circles. I am certain that with her at the firm we will continue to go from strength to strength. This is truly an exciting time at the firm.”

The announcement comes as Elite Law has also opened a new office in Surrey, where Victoria will be growing her family team and the presence of Elite in Surrey. This comes as Elite Law also have two of their team nominated for awards in the SLS Legal Awards, with Alasdair Poole being nominated for Paralegal of the Year and Victoria nominated for Family Lawyer of the Year.

Tagged the Crypto Divorce Lawyer, Victoria advises firms independently on how to assist their clients with digital assets. She is a leading voice in digital assets and regularly evidences her expertise by speaking on the subject through seminars, podcasts, and articles.

Since its creation in 2015, Elite Law Solicitors have been resolute in their focus to provide a fully comprehensive legal service, led by local solicitors with local expertise. The Law is an instrument that is ever changing, with the new implementation of the No Fault Divorce law, to the complexities of cohabitation for nonmarried couples, it has never been more important for clients to have access to a fully frank and accessible legal service.

The growth of Elite has been unprecedented over the last 2 years. With departments expanding at such rapid speed, it has been necessary for Elite to hire additional talent to meet its changing and evolving needs.

With a keen eye for diverse and talented individuals, Elite Law is confident it will continue to expand whilst simultaneously remaining firmly situated amongst Surrey’s recognised firms. It continues to operate under the philosophy that it is both a privilege and passion to provide proficient and personal services to all its clients. ■

Victoria Clarke

Stevens & Bolton announces double partner hire

Stevens & Bolton LLP has announced the appointment of two new Partner hires: Caroline DeLaney joins the real estate disputes team from Rosenblatt and Andy Williams joins the employment, pensions, and immigration team from Charles Russell Speechlys.

Caroline deals with all aspects of commercial and residential property disputes including litigation, arbitration and mediation as well as tribunal claims and Land Registry adjudications. Caroline has significant expertise in property development work, with a particular interest in rights of light claims. Her clients comprise retailers, developers, property companies, insolvency practitioners, institutional investors and trusts, as well as highworth individuals and entrepreneurs. Caroline is an accredited civil and commercial mediator.

Andy advises on all aspects of employment law and has a particular expertise in advising large corporates on significant workplace issues, such as reorganisations, TUPE transfers and changes to terms and conditions. He also has experience of Employment Tribunal and High Court work, dealing with a broad range of contentious issues, including negotiating severance packages both on behalf of, and when acting against, senior executives. In addition, Andy brings a breadth of experience on pension matters, both contentious and non-contentious.

Commenting on the appointments, James Waddell, Managing Partner, said: “Having recently made two internal Partner promotions and two lateral hire appointments, we are delighted to have attracted two more Partners of Caroline’s and Andy’s calibre to join our all-equity partnership.

Both join established and successful teams and add to our capability to look after our clients and win new business.

They join at an exciting time for the firm and their arrival furthers our ambitious growth plans.” ■

Caroline DeLaney

Andy Williams

TWM Solicitors welcomes new Managing Partner

Leading South East law firm TWM Solicitors and SLS Patron is pleased to announce the appointment of Jamie Berry as the firm’s new Managing Partner with effect from 1 August 2022, succeeding Matthew Truelove who, having served the permitted maximum 3 terms in office, now steps down following a successful 9 years in the role.

Jamie joined TWM Solicitors in 2011 and has been a Partner and Head of the Business Law team since 2012. Jamie acts for national and international clients on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters. He previously ran his own business and legal consultancy in British Columbia, Canada, and was also a Partner in a London law firm.

Commenting on his new appointment, Jamie said: “It is a great privilege to be given this opportunity to continue the great work of my previous managing partners and to be able to contribute to the next phase in the firm’s evolution. I am very excited to work with our exceptionally talented staff in growing our business further and continuing with the delivery of our first-class quality full service offering to our clients, in a cost-effective manner.

“On behalf of the firm, I would like to thank Matthew Truelove for his incredible work and commitment to the firm as the Managing Partner over the last 9 years. Matthew led the firm through some historically difficult times, not least the pandemic, from which we have emerged stronger than ever, and the firm has benefitted from his great leadership.”

Matthew Truelove, who will continue as Partner in the Commercial Property team, added, “I would like to thank my colleagues for their hard work, support and friendship during my term as Managing Partner – it has been a real pleasure and honour to have held such a privileged role for the last 9 years, and it is an equal pleasure to hand over the reins to Jamie for the years ahead. I wish him all the best for his term in office.”

Partner, David Powell, succeeds Jamie Berry as Head of the firm’s Business Law team.

Alongside these management changes, the firm is also pleased to announce 5 promotions: Simon Burdett-Dixon has been promoted to Partner in the Dispute Resolution team, Alison Jones has been promoted to Managing Associate in the Commercial Property team, and Victoria Butt has been promoted to Associate in the Commercial Property team. Blaise Joubert and Rebecca Westwood have successfully completed their training contracts with the firm and have joined as Assistant Solicitors in the Dispute Resolution team. ■

Jamie Berry

Morr & Co expands with new office in central Guildford

Morr & Co LLP are pleased to announce the opening of their new Guildford office.

The new office has opened in response to an increasing demand from clients based in and around Guildford. This move will allow the team permanently based in Guildford to provide a better service to the firm’s clients in the area.

Morr & Co has worked with clients in and around Guildford for decades from its offices across the region, and the new office will operate as a convenient hub for teams from across the firm to meet with and work with businesses and private clients.

Paul Harvey, Morr & Co’s Managing Partner said “We have been looking at opening a Guildford office for some time, having worked with commercial and private clients in and around Guildford for decades.

Earlier this year we successfully rebranded to Morr & Co, completing the integration of Morrisons Solicitors and Wheelers Solicitors, who merged in 2019. So now felt like the natural time to open an office in Guildford to help continue our growth in the region.

This step allows us to build closer relationships with our clients and contacts in Guildford, many of whom we have been working with for many years.” ■