Rounding up a tree-mendous 2023

Three new partners across Residential Property and Residential Development

This year has seen two key expansions across Steele Raymond’s core business offering. New Residential Property partner Tim Higham joined the team in November of this year, marking a new milestone in Steele Raymond’s residential property capabilities. A seasoned expert in residential property law , Tim brings a wealth of experience in conveyancing, sales, purchases, mortgages, and rights over land.

Tim’s arrival was preceded by two other partner-level hires into the Residential Development team in 2023. Commercial property expert and partner Emma Pope joined Steele Raymond in January of this year, specialising in site acquisition and planning. Paul Hinett was appointed as a partner in May, bolstering the Residential Development team with expertise in ground rent investment and avoiding leaseholder pre-emption rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

Emma’s invaluable addition to the team was further augmented with the arrival of associate Henry Barker and solicitor Minaz-Parol Rahman, making Steele Raymond’s Residential Development practice the largest in the South.

A new Estate Planning & Tax team

Our Private Client team blossomed into an entire division at Steele Raymond, with a shift in strategy to focus on specialist lawyers providing high-quality, bespoke advice. The Private Client division now houses three teams: Wills, Trusts & Probate; Disputed Wills, Probate & Trusts; and Estate Planning & Tax.

The division gained a new area of expertise as partner Kelly Greig joined to establish the new Estate Planning & Tax team. Kelly’s extensive specialism spans elderly care, sitting on the Office of the Public Guardian’s national panel of professional deputies, high-net-worth and complex estate planning as a board member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Worldwide Council, and as a Chartered Tax Adviser, having recently gained an Advanced Diploma in International Tax covering US/UK tax.

Kelly quickly began building the team, recruiting senior associates Michelle Jenkins-Powell and Paula Arnold, and legal secretary Lorraine Exley to the practice. Kelly’s ambition to create a thriving Estate Planning & Tax division at Steele Raymond has become a reality this year – with further room to grow.

Nurturing and rewarding internal talent

Our commitment to cultivating home-grown talent was underscored in April when we promoted Shaun Guppy and Amelia Williams to partnership and appointed Michelle Bettell, Victoria Jarmolkiewicz, Kayleigh Medland and Rosanna Parker as senior associates. Laura Offer was promoted to associate, and Holly Wheaton assumed a new role as a paralegal.

We also welcome placement student Callie Thornley-Veal and trainee solicitor Iona Murton to the firm as a testament to our dedication to cultivating junior talent. Our drive to offer bespoke advice and superior service continues to shape our growth, with plans for more recruitment to bolster our unrivalled expertise.

A great place to work

Our success in attracting such a wealth of legal talent can be attributed to our commitment to creating a supportive and engaging environment.

We’ve introduced three employee-led committees – Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Wellbeing, and Social – to ensure Steele Raymond is a great workplace and an excellent service provider.

Recognising the vital role of technology in our operational efficiency, we’ve continued to make substantial investments in our IT infrastructure. This move enhances the client journey, promotes efficient work practices for our solicitors, and removes barriers to success.

Building out business services

Not forgetting the vital role business services play in a successful law firm, Steele Raymond has also built out accounts, IT, operations and marketing with the arrival of marketing manager Rachel Hadfield, office administrator Heather Gilham and accounts assistant Joanna Gutowska, among others.

This expansive year has helped to position Steele Raymond as one of the best and biggest law firms in the South, serving a diverse national and international client base. As a landmark 12 months in positioning the firm as a market leader in the region, 2024 will instead focus on supporting the newly bolstered practices and client services.

A strategy that’s succeeding

Under managing partner Jennifer Rogerson’s leadership, Steele Raymond has successfully grown from 15 partners to 25, all within the short span of one and a half years. Even in the last six months, the firm has seen tremendous change with several new partner appointments.

It’s not just the increase in personnel that has marked our growth story; our financial performance also reflects our upward trajectory. We’ve moved from a turnover of £6m to an impressive £8m last financial year, and we’re projected to hit the £10m milestone this year.

This significant growth validates our strategy of attracting top-tier solicitors committed to providing high-quality specialist work and excellent client service.

A note from our managing partner

Jennifer Rogerson, managing partner at Steele Raymond, commented: “With multiple partner hires, new practice specialisms and newly expanded business services capabilities under our belt, Steele Raymond has enjoyed a massively successful 2023.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who’s helped to make this year a memorable one for our firm, and we wish those who have moved on to other pastures well in the next steps of their careers.”

“As for the next 12 months, our aim isn’t just to expand, but to enrich and commit to bolstering our already strong teams. This means further hires across various departments, ensuring that we continue to provide top-tier service and expertise to our clients.”

“By strengthening our internal capabilities, we reflect Steele Raymond’s dedication to sustainable growth and client satisfaction. This strategic consolidation is a testament to our desire to continue to serve our client base more efficiently and effectively with our talented and experienced teams.”

“It has been a fantastic last 12 months, and we look forward to 2024 as another year of meaningful growth, internal development and continued success in serving our community and clients.”

Steele Raymond’s new starters in 2023 – full list

Family: Diana Schonemann and Mandy Evans (legal secretaries)

Dispute Resolution: Taylor Anderson (solicitor), Jane Anderson (legal secretary)

Residential Property: Tim Higham (partner)

Estate Planning & Tax: Kelly Greig (partner), Michelle Jenkins-Powell and Paula Arnold (senior associates), Lorraine Exley (legal secretary)

Wills, Trusts & Probate: Jane Lynch (senior associate)

Corporate / Commercial: Rob O’Meara (solicitor), Lorraine Knox (legal secretary)

Residential Development: Emma Pope and Paul Hinett (partners), Henry Barker (associate), Minaz Rahman (solicitor), Rebecca Spring (paralegal)

Commercial Property: Becky Hobell (paralegal), Kamila Clarke and Sarah Rogers (legal secretaries)

Accounts: Joanna Gutowska (accounts assistant)

IT: Jose Smith Castro (IT support assistant)

Marketing: Rachel Hadfield (marketing manager)

Operations: Heather Gilham (office administrator), Molly Gould and Elaine Watson (receptionists)

Placement student: Callie Thornley-Veal

Trainee Solicitor: Iona Murton

We’re ready for 2024

As the festive season approaches, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyous Christmas break and may 2024 bring you prosperity, success and fulfilment in all your endeavours.

The team at Steele Raymond.