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LOCAL NEWS
Downs Solicitors LLP has announced several new significant hires and promotions at its three Surrey offices
Andrew Richardson, who has worked at Downs as Finance Director for the last 8 years, will become the leading law firm’s CEO from 1st July. This is a brand-new role that will see him take responsibility for the management and strategic direction of the firm working with its Partners and Managers.
Passionate about Downs’ vision to foster a culture of collaboration and excellence, Andy will be overseeing the day-to-day operations including finance, marketing, IT and HR to drive growth, profitability and client satisfaction.
Andy said: “I am honoured to be starting as Downs’ first ever CEO role and taking the firm in a new direction. It’s been a pleasure working closely with the management team, who drove the business forward through the pandemic, and coming out the other side stronger than ever. Now’s a great time to be looking at how we can build on that past success, and I am really looking forward to taking things to the next level.”
With Andy’s move into the CEO role, Katie Gemmell will be stepping up to manage the firm’s day-to-day finance function as Financial Controller.
Chris Millar, Senior Partner at Downs, is delighted with the new promotions at the firm. He said: “A new CEO is a brave move for us, but, with the worst of the pandemic now behind us, we’re starting our new financial year with a strong vision, and I am confident we’re putting our best foot forward with Andy at the helm.
Downs Solicitors LLP is a Surrey-based law firm with roots spanning back to 1836 and now has offices in Dorking, Cobham and Godalming.
For more information, please visit www.downslaw.co.uk ■
Making A Splash: Local Lawyers swim The Channel to raise £21,000 for spinal injury charity
An all-female team of six lawyers from Southampton-based Moore Barlow have raised more than £21,000 for spinal injury charity Aspire, after swimming the English Channel.
Louise Campbell, Fiona Hampton, Clair Philips, Danielle Cranstone, Maxine Winfield and Emma Williams completed the challenge in a relay format, swimming on a rota of one-hour intervals from Dover to France, covering 32 miles.
The team entered the 16-degree seawater at 02:15 am on Sunday 20th August and completed the swim in 14 hours and 54 minutes.
The lawyers have spent the last nine months preparing for the swim with a mixture of sea, lake and pool training sessions three times a week. The team also completed medical and physical assessments with the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CSPF) in order to qualify for the channel crossing.
Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help to people who have been paralysed by spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries result in the loss of muscle and sensory control and a large majority will become full time wheelchair users for the rest of their lives.
Moore Barlow along with Aspire, formed Aspire Law - the only UK law firm to specialise solely in representing and supporting people with spinal cord injury claims.
Louise Campbell, partner in the commercial property team at Moore Barlow, said: “Swimming across the English Channel is seen as the Mount Everest of all swims, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved. Since November last year, the six of us have dedicated our evenings and weekends to prepare for the challenge – often balancing our legal work with gruelling training sessions.
“Adverse weather conditions forced our original swimming slot back a few weeks and we remained focussed until we were given the go-ahead with 36 hours notice to make our way to Dover. Entering the water under the cover of darkness in the early hours of the morning was utterly terrifying. If it wasn’t for our team spirit and support for each other, I don’t think we’d have completed such an impressive feat!”
Paul Parish, head of funding at Aspire Law, commented: “The achievement is nothing short of incredible. I know how hard the ladies have worked, dedicating hours of training to put themselves in the best position to complete the swim.
“The funds the team have raised will have a life-changing impact for the charity, allowing us to offer more support and practical help to people who have been paralysed by a spinal cord injury –supporting them from injury to independence.”
For more information on the channel swim and to donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/aspireeagles ■
Martin Whitehorn is named Legal Hero by The Law Society of England and Wales
Martin Whitehorn from Julie West Solicitors has been named a Legal Hero by the Law Society of England and Wales at a ceremony in September.
Legal Heroes is an opportunity to recognise solicitors who have shown personal commitment and leadership to make the biggest difference to other people’s lives in recent years. Through their endeavours they have made a demonstrative, lasting and tangible difference to others, and brought distinction to the legal profession.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “Our Legal Heroes have been chosen for their outstanding qualities as leaders in society, driving forward change, and at times supporting the most vulnerable. These are people who use their skills, expertise and drive to put the interests of others first, demonstrating the core values which are at the heart of our profession: helping others in need. Congratulations to each of them.”
Martin received a significant number of nominations for his work in the field of neurodiversity. He has spoken widely about neurodivergent and disabled access in and through the legal profession. Martin has also contributed to the Law Society’s guidance for disability inclusion for small firms and its reasonable adjustments guidance.
Furthermore Martin has been supporting Ukrainian lawyers in England and Wales with obtaining employment in law. He uses his membership of the Ukrainian Bar Association to increase awareness and encourage others to join and support this vulnerable community.
Martin also supports aspiring and junior lawyers, including assisting lawyers whose firms were pushing them to make ethical breaches and helping mentees with obtaining training contracts to become solicitors. He kept junior lawyer support group Surrey Junior Lawyers Division active during the lockdowns where other Junior Lawyers Divisions have since fallen inactive. Martin additionally speaks at schools to help educate and inspire the next generation on entering the legal profession. ■
New Chapter for Mackrell Turner Garrett
Partners and staff at Mackrell Turner Garett are delighted to announce the firm’s merger with established south coast legal brand, Dutton Gregory Solicitors.
Both full-service law firms were established over 70 years ago and have since proved their commitment to providing clients with tailored legal solutions in property, for later life planning, families and commercial matters.
‘We had been looking for the right partner firm in Surrey when we met the Partners at Mackrell Turner Garrett,’ explains Andrew Tilley, Managing Partner of Dutton Gregory Solicitors, which employs over 130 staff across Hampshire and Dorset.
‘After spending some time getting to know each other, we realised that our firms are on similar journeys, share the same values, vison and culture and have the same ambitions, so were delighted when they accepted our invitation to join forces.’
The official merger took place on 1st April with an initial transition period during which Mackrell Turner Garrett will practice as ‘Dutton Gregory incorporating Mackrell Turner Garrett.’
‘We wanted to merge with a larger organisation that would equip us with both additional resources and a wider range of expertise and services,’ says Marc Mediratta, Partner and Head of Company & Commercial at Mackrell Turner Garrett. ‘Both sides have worked hard to ensure that this is a beneficial opportunity for staff, associates and, most importantly, clients. ■
Morr & Co’s Private Client department goes from strength to strength with the promotion of Natalie Payne into Partnership
Morr & Co, a leading regional law firm, is delighted to announce the promotion of Natalie Payne to the role of Partner in the Private Client team.
Natalie joined Morr & Co in September 2021, after serving as the Head of the Private Client Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team at a central London firm.
With her empathetic approach and a commitment to excellent client service, Natalie consistently delivers outstanding results. Her expertise includes drafting complex Wills, managing high net worth estate with cross-border issues, independent administrator estate administrations, handling difficult beneficiaries and advising on the creation and management of trusts. Natalie undertook the postgraduate course to become a barrister and in 2010 realised her heart was in becoming a solicitor. She cross-qualified in 2010 and was admitted as a solicitor in the same year.
Catherine Fisher, Morr & Co's Managing Partner commented "Natalie is a talented lawyer, who we are delighted has joined the Partnership. Natalie has quickly become a highly valued member of our private client team in the short time since she joined us. Her technical ability as a lawyer, as well as her approach to dealing with clients and colleagues, adds further strength to our already outstanding private client team."
Natalie's exceptional achievements have earned her recognition within the legal community. In 2018, she was ranked as an "Associate to Watch" in the Chambers HNW Guide. The same year, she won the Private Client Lawyer of the Year award in the UK Lawyer Monthly Magazine Private Client Awards.
Natalie has also been shortlisted for the 2023 Lawyer of the Year Award, at the Surrey Legal Award Ceremony, which will take place in October.
Natalie is a member of SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly) and an affiliate member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), further enhancing her ability to provide comprehensive solutions to her clients.
Morr & Co extends their warmest congratulations to Natalie and looks forward to her continued contributions to the firm and the wider legal community. ■
Surrey firm listed in four Legal 500 categories
Surrey law firm, Downs Solicitors, has secured four rankings in the latest Legal 500 series.
Downs Solicitors, which has offices in Dorking, Godalming and Cobham, has been awarded in four practice areas in 2023.
The firm secured its position in the highly regarded Legal 500 series for Corporate and Commercial services in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, as well as Commercial Property, Insolvency/Corporate Recovery, and Real Estate. Plus, for the first time in 2023, Downs Solicitors has been awarded a ranking for Employment services.
The Legal 500 analyses the capabilities of law firms around the world and research is based on feedback from more than 250,000 clients and researchers. Once you’ve made it on to the list, your firm is then
assessed by 106 jurisdictions and then ranked based on a series of criteria, such as most prestigious clients, market share, innovative work, reputation for handling complex deals and in-depth capability.
Christopher Millar, Senior Partner at Downs Solicitors, said: “We are so pleased to add another ranking in the Legal 500 this year, bringing our total up to four. This just goes to show the variety of experience and capability within our practice, so that we can offer a top-quality service to clients locally, nationally and internationally. We’d like to thank our clients for the feedback they provided which afforded us this opportunity to be recognised as experts in our fields.” ■
