Happenings in Hampshire
KNIGHT’S DAY AS KATE HEADS OFFICE TEAM Experienced lawyer Kate Knight has been promoted to Associate by expanding law firm Biscoes and now heads up the company’s Gosport office. Kate, who has worked in the field of family law for more than 30 years, leads a team of five at Biscoes’ High Street premises. She said: “I am delighted to be heading up such an excellent team and looking forward to continuing the outstanding work done on behalf of clients from this busy Gosport base. “Biscoes has a reputation for providing high quality professional legal advice and client care and it is my demanding responsibility to ensure this carries on seamlessly.” She said all of Biscoes’ vast range of expertise – from employment and immigration law to conveyancing and insolvency matters – was available on the spot in Gosport with the firm’s lawyers based in five other offices able to meet clients there. Biscoes Managing Director Alison Lee said: “This promotion is thoroughly deserved. Kate is an exceptional solicitor with a fine eye for detail and I have no doubt she will bring a great depth of knowledge to her new role.” Kate has worked in a solicitors’ office since the age of 20, qualifying as a legal executive in 1989, and was admitted as a solicitor in 1992. She has been with Biscoes for 11 years. She has worked in family law for more 30 years, more recently specialising in children, and has particular expertise in private law disputes over children and in care proceedings where she represents both child and adult parties
HERE TO HELP: Kate Knight, who leads the Gosport office of Biscoes, front, with, from left, Louise Roberts, Jen Derrick, Rachel Lees and Gary Morgan
Kate, who has three children aged 17 to 20, has been a member of the campaigning national family law network Resolution for many years and is also a member of the Law Society Children Panel. Her team includes solicitor Gary Morgan and support staff Jen Derrick, Louise Roberts and Rachel Lees. Gary, who has 20 years’ experience in all areas of family law work, specialises in divorce, financial matters and private law children applications. Biscoes, which has 100 staff and was awarded Hampshire Law Society Firm of the Year (Small) 2016 in May, is headquartered in Portsmouth and also has offices in Portchester, Wickham, Waterlooville and Petersfield. Biscoes, which traces its roots back 162 years, merged with highlyregarded commercial specialist Graeme Quar & Co in April as the firm continues to expand. The firm is a member of a number of professional associations, including the Law Society, Hampshire Law Society, The Notaries Society, the Charity Law Association, Portsmouth Property Association and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
HAMPSHIRE LAW SOCIETY A N N U A L
D I N N E R
We would like to thank all the firms and individuals for entering the awards and are delighted to announce the winners and runners up as follows: SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR Winner: Mark Tooley, Larcomes Runner Up: Neeru Hutchinson, Appleby Shaw
FIRM OF THE YEAR (Small) Winner: Biscoes Runner Up: Eric Robinson
JUNIOR SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR Winner: Sarah Hallett, Churchers Bolitho Way Runner Up: Victoria Whelan, Dutton Gregory
SOLICITOR'S BANK OF THE YEAR Winner: Barclays Runner Up: Lloyds
FIRM OF THE YEAR (Large) Winner: Dutton Gregory Runner Up: Clarke Willmott
SOLICITORS ACCOUNTANCY FIRM OF THE YEAR Winner: Smith Williamson Runner Up: Johnson Wood Roach
LARGE FIRM OF THE YEAR: Tony Brown, JLT; Kristina Colmer, Dutton Gregory (Winner), Kevin Keegan
SMALL FIRM OF THE YEAR: Jane Hodge, Tim Gamester, David Burrell, Alison Lee , Briscoes (WINNER) and Kevin Keegan.
Hampshire Legal
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