Member Article

Lodders announces new head for agricultural team

Midlands and South West law firm Lodders has announced that partner, James Spreckley, is to head its specialist and top ranking Agricultural and Landed Estates team.

James Spreckley takes over the role from David Lodder, who continues to work as a consultant in the team, advising the firm’s portfolio of agricultural sector clients that includes farmers, landowners, farming, rural and real estate businesses.

Lodders’ Agricultural and Landed Estate team operates across the Midlands, the Cotswolds and the South West from its Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham offices, and is one of the largest and most experienced teams of legal specialists in the region. It has consistently received the highest rankings and accolades from the law profession’s top guides The Legal 500 and Chambers UK.

James will work alongside David and other partners in the team including Caroline Nemecek and Robin Beckley, and Rod Bird, the firm’s managing partner.

Caroline Nemecek became a partner in July 2015 reflecting the continued growth of the team and the success of the firm at attracting high quality lawyers.

James joined Lodders earlier this year from the Birmingham office of SGH Martineau, where he was a partner specialising in property work for private individuals, charities, landowners and farmers, as well as commercial clients.

Commenting on his new role, James said: “Providing advice to private and commercial clients in all areas of the agricultural and landed estates sectors has been at Lodders’ heart throughout its 230 year history. Taking up the mantle as team head from David represents a significant and important step for the firm and its own succession planning for the next phase of its existence.

“David has led the team very successfully for many years, establishing it as the go-to place for specialist, informed and excellent legal advice for individuals and enterprises in the agricultural and landed estate sectors and in broadening the range of legal support now available to include tax, planning, property litigation and family advice. He has also been instrumental in building the current team, which combines relevant legal excellence and skills, ambition and creativity to support the continued growth and best advice and service for our clients.

“I feel both excited and honoured to lead the team into its next chapter. From my own experiences on the family farm, I am more than aware of the challenges facing the rural community and the need to provide timely and pragmatic legal advice. I am particularly looking forward to working with Caroline and Robin who are both talented agricultural law specialists and also the wider team to build on the highly regarded support and help to the sector which it has offered under David’s leadership.”

James is a member of the Country Landowners and Business Association, the Countryside Alliance, and the Investment Property Forum.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lodders Solicitors LLP .