Blanchards Bailey are delighted to welcome two new starters to the firm, both of whom will form an integral part of their respective teams. These latest of Blanchards Bailey’s strategic recruitments over the last 12 months promise to bring new expertise and increase the offering of services to clients.
Michelle Lane is a Legal Executive specialising in agricultural property. Having worked locally within property law for over 15 years and specialising in agricultural property for the last six years, Michelle is ideally placed to add to the wealth of expertise already available in the Agriculture & Estates team. Michelle acts for farmers and landowners dealing with the occupation of land such as sales and purchases, easements, tenancy agreements, business leases and secured lending.
Michelle grew up on a farm and continues to assist with her family farm as much as she is able. This hands-on, real-life experience provides Michelle with a keen understanding of her client’s businesses, objectives and future goals.
Michelle comments about her work: “I really enjoy the varied nature of my job and that I get to use my local and practical farming knowledge to ensure my clients’ needs are met. I get a real buzz from finding practical solutions to the challenges experienced by my clients. I enjoy building a rapport with my clients and believe that getting to know them, their business and their goals makes the whole legal process much smoother for my clients.”
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys helping out on her family’s dairy farm, caring for and competing her horse and getting out and about in the countryside as much a possible with her young son.
Paul Dunlop, Managing Partner and head of the Agriculture & Estates Team, said: “We are thrilled that Michelle has joined the Agriculture & Estates team. As a firm we are incredibly proud to have a specialist agricultural property team in Dorset and that the team is ranked in the Legal 500. To have such an experienced lawyer join the team is very exciting. There is no question that Michelle will be a valuable asset to many clients”.
In addition to the growth of the Agriculture & Estates Team, the firm’s large Private Client Team is also bolstered by the joining of Lauren May.
An experienced lawyer who qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2017, Lauren specialises in Wills, Powers of Attorney, tax and estate planning and deputyship applications. She also has a keen interest in elderly client work which feeds in to expertise already existing within the team. Although lockdown restrictions oblige all staff to work from home currently, Lauren effectively joins the firm to work from the firm’s Poundbury office strengthening Blanchards Bailey’s offering in and around Dorchester.
On joining the firm Lauren says: “I have worked in Private Client for 15 years, including some time with Blanchards Bailey earlier in my career. I am very happy to be returning to the firm. I pride myself on being friendly and approachable and I really enjoy helping people navigate through complex legal issues and the variety of work this area of law produces. No two days are ever the same. I enjoy problem solving and working through complex legal issues. I love to learn and am fortunate to work in a supportive team who encourage me to develop my skill base.”
When not at work, Lauren is a busy mum of two and enjoys cooking, reading and walking.
Jerome Dodge, Partner and Head of Private Client Services, said: “It’s great to have Lauren back with Blanchards Bailey and to see our Poundbury team in particular go from strength to strength. Having worked with her before, I know the value that Lauren will bring to the team. Her dedication to her clients and conscientious nature speaks for itself and comes through in the relationship she builds with her clients.”
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