LOCAL NEWS
Downs Solicitors appoint new property specialist A Surrey-based law firm has appointed Gemma Taylor to the conveyancing team in Dorking, bringing with her more than 12 years’ experience in the industry.
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emma joins leading Surrey law firm, Downs Solicitors & Notaries, from TWM Solicitors and has worked in residential property since 2006. She qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2013 and since then, Gemma has worked with clients on all legal aspects associated with residential property work. Gemma’s previous experience is in sales and purchases of freehold and leasehold property, re-mortgages, transfers of equity and lease extensions. She has also worked with clients alongside Government-backed initiatives, such as Help to Buy and Shared Ownership. Richard Taylor, Partner and Head of the Residential Property Department at Downs Solicitors, said: “I am delighted to announce that Gemma Taylor will be joining the
residential property team here at Downs Solicitors. Gemma’s experience will no doubt prove to be an excellent asset both to the team and to the firm as a whole. At Downs, we understand that residential transactions are stressful for those involved and we aim to work closely and proactively with our clients to achieve their goals by delivering a high level of service from a team driven by experienced lawyers and backed up with dedicated 1-1 support.
Photograph: Gemma Taylor
I have worked with Gemma on many transactions over the years and it is clear from these dealings that she shares these same core values with an emphasis on service. I now look forward to working alongside her as a colleague”.
LAW FIRM HOWELLJONES LLP SOLD AFTER FOUNDER RETIRES Photograph (left to right): Helen Hotten, Simon Carter, Jess Buttaci, Andrew Petchey, Juliet Petchey and Jo Cullen
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ne of the region’s longest serving Solicitors, Keith Howell-Jones, has retired after the sale of his firm to a group of longstanding partners in the business. Howell-Jones LLP has been taken over by a team of four women and two men. It follows the decision by Keith to retire from the business he started in the 1970s. Howell-
Jones LLP has about 80 staff, and offices across Surrey, in Hampshire and at London’s Canary Wharf financial centre. Four of the new owners began their legal careers at Howell-Jones as trainee Solicitors. The new owners are Simon Carter, Jo Cullen, Andrew Petchey, Juliet Petchey, Jess Buttaci and Helen Hotten. SURREY LAWYER 11