We are delighted to announce our latest round of promotions, strengthening a number of our business and property teams and reflecting our continued investment in talent across the practice.
This year’s promotions include three new partners, alongside appointments at senior associate and associate level.
Emma Thompson and Charlotte Cowdell are both promoted to partner in our highly rated real estate team. Both advise clients of varying size on a broad range of commercial property matters and continue to be recognised by independent national legal guides.
Emma, who joined us almost a decade ago, has built an established reputation for supporting local and national businesses with property transactions. She is particularly known for her expertise in respect of real estate refinancing.
Charlotte has extensive charity law expertise, and as well as assisting charities with property transactions, she acts for local and national charities and not‑for‑profit clients, assisting on a range of charity law issues. Since joining us in 2019, she has achieved a ‘Star Associate‘ ranking in Chambers UK – an accolade only she has received across the South-West region for the last two years.
Alasdair Garbutt, head of real estate, said: “I am delighted to see both Emma and Charlotte recognised for their contribution and commitment to the real estate team and to our firm. Each brings their own niche area of expertise to our practice, strengthening and increasing the breadth of services we can offer clients.”
Hifsa O’Kelly is also promoted to partner, further strengthening our Legal 500 top tier‑rated employment law team.
Hifsa advises a wide range of organisations, including small and medium‑sized businesses, schools, colleges and charities. She is particularly skilled at conducting employment tribunal work, an area in which she has many years’ experience.
Head of employment law & business immigration, Jenny Hawrot, commented: “This promotion is truly deserved and reflects Hifsa’s hard work and dedication. She is a top lawyer and her extensive experience and strong technical ability are a great addition to our team at a time when we are seeing ‘once in a generation’ changes in employment law. Our ’partner-led’ offering means we are ideally placed to help our clients through these changing and challenging times.”
These latest promotions bring the firm’s total partner headcount to 24.
Elsewhere in the practice, Angela Newman is promoted to senior associate within our residential property team, alongside Héloïse Brittain who moves up to associate level.
Bethen Abraham, a specialist in property disputes, is promoted to associate, together with her litigation & dispute resolution colleague, Kafula Chipasha.
“We’re proud to have so many talented lawyers at Willans; many of whom are recognised annually by national independent legal guides,” said managing partner, Bridget Redmond.
“They all share our commitment to providing exceptional and personal client service, and I’m delighted to congratulate the seven lawyers mentioned on their well-earned promotions.”
