Steele Raymond welcomes four new property and estate planning and tax specialists

The firm’s fast-growing Estate Planning and Tax team – headed up by Kelly Greig – has been further strengthened by the addition of solicitor, Hok Yan (Erica) Leung.  Erica, who joins from Laceys Solicitors, is a dual-qualified solicitor in England & Wales and Hong Kong, specialising in estate planning and tax law, with extensive experience in advising on company restructuring and exit strategies for directors and shareholders.

Re-joining Steele Raymond’s Property Litigation team as senior associate is Lauren Meade.  With 13 years’ experience in litigation, most recently at Womble Bond Dickinson, Lauren specialises in commercial landlord and tenant disputes, focusing on lease renewals, dilapidations, recovery of rent arrears and covenant disputes.  Lauren re-joins the six-strong Property Litigation team, working with partners, David Crockford and Hannah Dare.

Solicitor, Ash Scott has joined the firm’s specialist, top-tier ranked Residential Development team, headed by Emma Stainwright.  Ash’s expertise includes acquisitions, plot sales, lease negotiations and acting for developers.  Joining from Laceys Solicitors, Ash is a committee member of Bournemouth District Law Society and Bournemouth District Junior Lawyers Division, actively organising events and activities on behalf of both organisations.

Having recently qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive, Zara Sachak joins the award-winning Commercial Property team – led by Chris Twaits – following nine years working as a paralegal at Womble Bond Dickinson.

Welcoming the four at the firm’s Bournemouth offices this week, Jennifer Rogerson, Managing Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ash, Erica and Zara to the firm, and of course to welcome back Lauren, as she re-joins us.

“Our relentless focus on providing our clients with the very best advice and experience is at the heart of everything we do at Steele Raymond.

“Ash, Erica, Lauren and Zara’s experience and expertise in their own fields will further strengthen the legal advice and experience that we provide to our clients regionally, nationally and internationally.”

The four new hires are the latest additions in a stellar two-year period for Steele Raymond’s growth trajectory. High-profile recruitments from 2023 included Kelly Greig, chair of global professional body, STEP, heading up the firm’s specialist Estate Planning and Tax team, which has subsequently been joined by senior associates and leading specialists, Paula Arnold and Michelle Jenkins-Powell.  Experienced conveyancing partner, Tim Higham joined the Residential Property team, alongside Residential Development partners Paul Hinett and Emma Pope.

With two further partner promotions in 2023, Steele Raymond’s partnership now numbers 25.