As it continues to celebrate 75 years in business, Willans LLP announces the firm’s new senior partner, as well as a series of promotions amongst its lawyers. The announcements come following several promotions at the start of 2022, including two new partners.
The firm’s longest-serving equity partner, Paul Gordon, who joined the firm sixteen years ago, takes over as senior partner, following Nicholas Cox’s move to consultant, after 25 years’ service and nine years as senior partner.
Paul, who is head of the dispute resolution team, is described as “very knowledgeable, informative and pragmatic” by national independent legal guide Chambers UK and specialises in commercial and intellectual property (IP) litigation, however his expertise is broad ranging. An instrumental part of Willans’ growth in recent years, Paul has won several high-profile cases and recently achieved success in a case involving an IP license and merchandising agreement, after Silverstone-based Formula 1 team, Force India went into liquidation. Alongside this, Paul has built up an impressive inheritance and trusts disputes team within the firm, demonstrating his versatility as a litigator.
Further promotions across the firm have been awarded to experienced residential property lawyer Mary Young and wills, trust & probate specialist Laura Stone, who are both now senior associates, while solicitors Dorcas Guillebaud, Katie Duthie and Jessica Whooley are promoted to associates.
The promotions come during a transformative year for the Cheltenham-based firm, which has embarked upon a complete modernisation of its regency offices in Imperial Square. Coinciding with the firm’s move to hybrid working, the refurbishment involves creating new, collaborative meeting and staff social areas to include coffee stations, ‘quiet’ seating and outdoor spaces, as well as new bike racks and showers to encourage staff to cycle to work.
Commenting on the news, managing partner Bridget Redmond said: “It’s a pleasure to recognise the hard work and commitment of these exceptional lawyers and I’d like to congratulate them on their well-earned promotions. They have all demonstrated a dedication to providing a truly personal service for our clients, while demonstrating the highest levels of legal expertise.”
Willans was founded 75 years ago by Gloucestershire lawyer Alec Willans, who later moved the firm to its current home in Imperial Square, Cheltenham. Today, Willans employs around 100 people and provides legal advice to businesses, individuals, charities and not-for-profit organisations, based locally, nationally and internationally. The firm plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary throughout the year.
