Member Article

Recruitment drive at Lodders following surge in deals

A surge in high value commercial transactions and sustained demand for specialist business, employment, property and real estate legal advice is behind a recruitment drive at the Cheltenham office of law firm Lodders.

Since expanding its business and commercial offering in the town in June last year, led by the appointment of Nick Rowe as partner and head of employment, and Steve Thomas as partner and corporate and commercial department head in Cheltenham, the firm has experienced a steep increase in high value instructions from businesses across Gloucestershire, North Warwickshire, the Cotswolds and nationally.

Lodders, which was established almost 230 years ago, opened its Cheltenham office on Imperial Square in October 2013, since when it has more than trebled its team in the town to 18 people.

This expansion continues this month with the appointment of Law graduate Emily Moore, who lives in Littleton, as paralegal joining the business services team.

“The volume of sizeable transactions over the last few months has exceeded expectation,” explains Steve Thomas, “and Emily is an important addition to our business team.”

Amongst the most recent corporate transactions for the Cheltenham team is the £multi-million sale of an engineering business to an overseas buyer, and a clutch of other business sales and purchases.

The firm has also seen growth in the volume of work for organisations operating within the healthcare sector, in particular providing advice surrounding the purchase and sale of care homes and care in the community businesses.

Steve also continues to provide contractual advice and support to the Jockey Club Racecourses, in particular to the team at Cheltenham Racecourse for whom he has worked for a number of years.

“All the recent transactions exemplify the nature, scope, scale and quality of the work our team is involved in,” says Steve. “These deals have embraced the additional specialist expertise and outstanding resource of the rest of the business services team that now totals nearly twenty lawyers across Lodders’ office network.”

Nick Rowe specialises in employment law, covering both contentious and non-contentious cases, and acts for employers (ranging from privately-owned companies to listed FTSE companies) and employees of ranging seniority.

“Being part of an extensive and experienced business and commercial team at Lodders has already proven to add greatly to the employment proposition for clients,” says Nick. “Less than 12 months into the role with Lodders, and we have a growing, solid portfolio of clients to whom we provide ongoing and bespoke employment law advice. Being part of a highly skilful and experienced team is proving a real differentiator and asset.”

Lodders’ Partner Paul Mourton leads the Cheltenham operation. He specialises in property development and investment property transactions and acts for landowners and for developers of residential and commercial clients. He says: “The Cheltenham office opened in response to demand from existing clients, and it is so rewarding to see the office sustain growth, and for our business and commercial teams to establish and expand.

“Our door is very much open to individuals looking for a career move that is full of opportunity. We are on the lookout for more quality staff and ambitious individuals who want to be part of a growing, thriving team.”

Lodders Solicitors is an established and thriving law firm based in Stratford upon Avon, Henley in Arden and Cheltenham. The firm is recognised as a leading private client law firm, offering specialist advice to both private individuals and privately owned businesses, including its highly regarded work in the agricultural and real estate sectors. For more information: www.lodders.co.uk.

Photo shows: Paul Mourton (right) lead partner of Lodders’ Cheltenham operation, with Stephen Thomas (left) and Nick Rowe (centre).

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