New partners at Blanchards Bailey

Award-winning law firm Blanchards Bailey LLP has announced a raft of promotions, including two new Partners, following sustained business growth over the last financial year.

The 10 new roles strategically strengthen the Dorset-based firm’s core and growing sectors.

These promotions come as Blanchards Bailey concluded its financial year on 31 March 2020 with business continuing as usual with all staff working remotely due to coronavirus restrictions.

Two new partners have been announced at the Legal 500 firm in Robin Cole, Commercial Property and Emma Needham, Wills & Estate Planning.

They are among 10 promotions at the 80-strong firm which has offices in Blandford, Poundbury, Shaftesbury and Weymouth.

Robin, who has more than 30 years’ specialist experience as a solicitor in commercial property and real estate finance, most of it at partner level in London, joined Blanchards Bailey last year.

Since joining the firm Robin has attracted praise from leading professionals in Dorset, including heads of large land agencies, for his expertise and knowledge.

He acts for family trusts, landed estates, developers, property companies and investors in relation to a wide range of development and investment acquisitions/disposals, joint venture, and participation arrangements.

Before joining Blanchards Bailey Robin was also an editor for a leading guide in the industry which helps shape how legal procedure is carried out.

He said: “I am delighted to have been made Partner and will continue to work closely with clients across the board to deliver successful outcomes – especially during the current fast-changing situation when businesses need instant and expert advice.”

Emma, who joined Blanchards Bailey in 2015 and was promoted to Senior Associate last year, specialises in wills, tax, estate planning, powers of attorney, deputyship orders and the management of property and financial affairs.

In recent years Emma has built a following and a specialist team in the field of mental capacity and Court of Protection work assisting particularly vulnerable clients.

She said: “I am very proud to have been promoted to Partner and will continue to use my skills to help families through some very difficult times. Currently, and sadly, it has never been more crucial that wills should be in good order.”

Eight other staff members have also been promoted: Laura Martin – Senior Associate; Catherine Roberts – Associate; Linda Hardy – Senior Associate and Head of Probate and Estate Administration; Rachel Pullen – Associate; Sue Edwards – Senior Private Client Executive; Sarah Dunlop – Associate; Caroline Doman – Head of Residential Conveyancing and Carla Phillips – Associate.

Blanchards Bailey Partner Paul Dunlop said: “These promotions are all hugely deserved and recognise the excellence within our hard-working and dedicated team.

“We are strengthening throughout all sectors as our business expands. Demand for our services is increasing across the board as we continue to serve communities, towns and businesses throughout Dorset and the surrounding counties.”

Paul, President of Dorset Law Society, added: “These are challenging times for everyone, but we believe it is important to maintain ‘business as usual’ as much as possible and we are delighted to announce these promotions and new partners.

“It is testament to the commitment of all my Blanchards Bailey colleagues that we are able to continue to provide a high quality service to clients through telephone and video conferencing, email and social media while our offices are temporarily closed.”

Blanchards Bailey received unprecedented recognition in the UK's leading law sector directory, the Legal 500. The annual publication, The Legal 500 2019/20, mentions the firm in a record-equalling seven categories with eleven individual lawyers recommended.

Blanchards Bailey also won a hat-trick of titles at the 2019 Dorset Legal Awards: Law Firm of the Year (up to 99 employees), Company Commercial Team of the Year and Private Client Team of the Year.