Southampton: Law firm Clarke Willmott boosts construction team

The Southampton office of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has announced a series of internal promotions including new partner Hayley Steel.

Steel, pictured, has been promoted to partner within the construction team and has a focus on non-contentious construction, development and infrastructure/energy projects.

She joined Clarke Willmott in 2018 after over a decade spent within the non-contentious construction team in the London office of a leading international firm and is among six nationwide partner promotions at Clarke Willmott.

In addition to Steel's promotion Rupert Dillow, Sarah Orchard, Sasha Jewhurst and Senga Howells have been promoted to associates and Cathy Harris has been promoted to senior associate.

The promotions follow continued growth at Clarke Willmott which has also seen recent and planned lateral hires.

Stephen Rosser, chief executive of Clarke Willmott, said: "Developing our people is absolutely fundamental to our business and this year I was delighted that promotions to partner included those who had originally joined the firm as paralegals.

“All those promoted have demonstrated excellent commitment to their clients and the firm as well as strong technical legal competence.

“Whether our staff began their careers with us or joined at a more advanced level we are committed to training and developing our talent.”

Associate Rupert Dillow is in the Southampton corporate and commercial team and specialises in corporate and banking transaction. His expertise includes business and share sales, M&A, management buyouts, equity investment and corporate governance matters.

Sarah Orchard and Senga Howells are both new associates in the housing management team providing advice and assistance to registered providers, local authorities and private landlords on all aspects of housing management.

Also promoted is Sasha Jewhurst in the commercial property team who deals with landlord and tenant matters, acquisition and sale of freehold and leasehold properties and ground rent reversion investments.

Promoted to senior associate, Cathy Harris is in the commercial and private client litigation team. Harris has a diverse client base covering engineering, manufacturing, professional services, property development and IT and communications.