Conveyancers and residential property solicitors have been celebrating their career successes this month, with firms announcing a raft of promotions and new appointments.
Steele Raymond has strengthened its Southampton presence with the appointment of a four-strong New Homes team (pictured above).
Natalie Marsh (legal director), Charlotte Goodson (senior associate), Jodie Coy (associate) and Kirsten Wickham (senior associate) all join from Knights and will work closely with the firm’s Residential Property and Residential Development teams, supporting clients across the full lifecycle of property transactions.
At Colchester-based Ellisons, residential property lawyer Marion Knocker (right, with managing partner Guy Longhurst) has been promoted to partner. 
The promotion reflects Ellisons’ focus on recognising senior lawyers who combine technical expertise with strong local market knowledge and a consistent commitment to client care, the firm said.
Knocker advises on all aspects of residential conveyancing, including freehold and leasehold transactions, remortgages and new build purchases. With over 20 years’ experience, she works closely with established estate agents across Colchester and the surrounding area and is widely respected for her practical, steady approach to transactions.
“What attracted me to Ellisons was its strong local reputation and the way clients are looked after,” Knocker said.
“Over the past year or so I have seen that first hand, working with colleagues who care about quality, integrity and consistency. Being part of a firm that is genuinely connected to the local community matters to me, and becoming a partner gives me the opportunity to build on that while continuing to support clients as they move with confidence.”
Switalskis has welcomed Paula Mayfield (left) as the deputy head of its specialist new build conveyancing team. Mayfield has spent over 25 years specialising in residential conveyancing across West and South Yorkshire and her appointment supports the firm’s plans to grow its conveyancing offering nationwide.
Richard Wisnia, head of new build conveyancing at Switalskis, said: “Paula’s appointment is an exciting springboard for the next stage of growth and development of the team, building on and reflecting the shifting demand we’re seeing for high-quality new build conveyancing services.”
Post Complete, the stamp duty review service for conveyancing law firms, has appointed Louise Wise as head of property tax.
Wise brings more than 10 years’ specialist experience advising conveyancers on stamp duty and land transaction tax. She joins from Relatus, where she built a strong reputation for her technical expertise in pre-transaction advice, refunds, HMRC enquiries and tribunal appeals.
A qualified member of the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) and a qualified solicitor (non-practising), Wise combines technical tax knowledge with legal and advocacy experience. Her background includes managing the full lifecycle of HMRC compliance matters, from initial checks and enquiries through to representation at tax tribunal hearings, achieving successful outcomes in six of her last seven appeal hearings.
Ellisons has strengthened its Residential Property team with the appointment of Sarah Osborne as a senior associate, based in the firm’s Bury St Edmunds office. Before qualifying as a solicitor in 2013, Osborne qualified as a licensed conveyancer and served as a member of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
She joins Ellisons with 16 years’ experience specialising in leasehold enfranchisement, advising on lease extensions, freehold purchases and right to manage claims. She works with a wide range of clients, including individual flat owners, residential management companies and property investors, and is experienced in handling technically complex matters.
“Ellisons has a strong reputation for residential property work and for providing clear, practical advice,” Osborne said. “Leasehold enfranchisement can be unfamiliar and stressful for many clients, and I am looking forward to working with the team to help clients understand their options and move forward with confidence.”
Telford Law firm mfg Solicitors has appointed solicitor Nicole Beddall to its real estate team. Beddall will work closely with partner David Raymont, supporting the firm’s clients in Shropshire and across the wider region.
And in Cumbria, Bendles Solicitors has promoted solicitor Laura Goode to an associate position. Goode works in residential conveyancing, supporting home buyers and sellers across the Eden Valley.
