Law firm Gordons' award winning contentious trusts & estates team expands with partner appointment

Pictured from left to right and back to front are: Louisa Knox, solicitor; Paul Lewis, partner; Martin Holdsworth, partner and head; Amy Croxford, solicitor; Louise Tatton, solicitor

Yorkshire law firm Gordons’ award-winning contentious trusts and estate team has expanded its offer with the appointment of Paul Lewis as partner.

Previously a partner within the firm’s commercial litigation department, Paul has moved into the team to handle the growing number of instructions relating to property disputes and professional negligence actions which often arise out of contested inheritance claims.

The contentious trusts and estates team – which now comprises two partners, three solicitors and a trainee solicitor – is led by Martin Holdsworth who joined Gordons in 2008. Since his arrival at the firm, Martin has grown the team to be one of the largest outside London.

The department has generated £3m in gross fees in the three years since it was established, recording year-on-year actual revenue growth of between 50% and 65%.

In October, the team won the private client award at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards 2011. Earlier this year it was the only practice outside the capital to be shortlisted in the Contentious Trust and Estates team of the year category at the national Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Private Client Awards in London.

Commenting on the department’s success and Paul’s appointment, Martin Holdsworth said: “We are very pleased to have achieved what we have in a relatively short space of time with a service that perfectly complements Gordons’ existing personal and corporate law offers.

“Paul is a great addition to the team as he is an experienced litigator who will help us continue to deliver growth whilst maintaining our reputation as one of the leading contentious trust and estates teams in the country. Our main objective remains simply to be the first law firm people turn to if circumstances require them to seek legal advice on problems arising out of wills, trusts or probate.”

Over the past three years the department has dealt with 300 new case enquiries, with 98% of the cases being resolved. Almost 30% of those new enquiries came from recommendations of other law firms and professionals. Of cases taken on by the team, only 5% have gone to trial with the remaining 95% dealt with through negotiation or mediation.

Paul Lewis said: “There has been a sharp rise a rise in contentious probate claims over recent years due to factors such as personal estates being worth more now than ever before, the vast majority of people having no valid will and the increase in families with half and step siblings.

“This in turn has led to an increase in property disputes and professional negligence claims. By joining the team, I will ensure that our clients are provided with a fully comprehensive service in relation to those areas of litigation whilst also helping further develop the department.”

Published: 3th January 2012

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