Commercial Property Solicitors

21/11/2005

National law firm Irwin Mitchell has increased the value of its successful Leeds-based commercial property team with three new appointments.

New to the unit are associates Emma Devlin and solicitors James Knowles and James Taylor. The trio is based at the firm's Queen Street offices.

Belfast-born Ms Devlin has joined from Keeble Hawson, in Leeds, where she was a partner in commercial property for a year. She has been working in the field since 1989.

Her new role will involve helping to manage the team and advising clients on all aspects of property development, landlord and tenant disputes, and property finance.

Ms Devlin said: "I'm excited about starting my new job. Ours is a small but growing team in a large national firm and this is a great opportunity to help it expand further. I hope to increase the firm's property client base and continue to strengthen its relationship with current clients."

Sheffield-born Mr Knowles, 29, has been recruited from Ford & Warren, Leeds, where he worked for a year as a trainee and four years as a solicitor.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to the new challenge. I'll be working on a wide variety of commercial property transactions with a particular focus on development work."

Mr Taylor has moved from Atkinson & Firth in Shipley, having previously trained at Ison Harrison in Leeds.

He will be acting on behalf of clients in all aspects of commercial property work, including retail and residential development, landlord and tenant, and leasehold properties.

He said: "I'm excited about the opportunity of advancing my career and developing my knowledge further, as well as gaining more experience at a national firm with an established reputation for expertise in what is a relatively new area of work for me."

Welcoming the recruits, John Flathers, commercial property partner with Irwin Mitchell and head of the Leeds department, said: "We're delighted to have the trio aboard. The team is taking further shape and will be significantly strengthened by their arrival."

Ms Devlin began her career at Stephenson Harwood in London, where she stayed four years before moving to Leeds to work for two years at Dibb Lupton Alsop and 10 at Eversheds, where she became an associate.

She gained a joint honours degree in French and English at St Andrew's University in Scotland before attending the College of Law, Chancery Lane, London, to complete her Common Professional and final exams.

Mr Knowles attended Nottingham Trent University, where he gained a degree in law before obtaining a Certificate in Legal Practice at the College of Law, York.

Wakefield-born Mr Taylor, 35, a University of Central Lancashire graduate, gained an honours degree in law with psychology before acquiring a Certificate in Legal Practice at York College of Law.

A keen beekeeper, Ms Devlin lives in Saltaire, near Bradford, and in her spare time sits as a justice of the peace on the Bradford bench, after her appointment in 2003.

Sports enthusiast Mr Knowles lives in Shadwell, Leeds, with his partner Julie, a nurse. He plays football and is a season ticket holder at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. He is also a cricketer and last winter went to watch the Barbados test match between the West Indies and England.

Mr Taylor lives in Utley, near Keighley, with wife Emma, a teacher, and their son, William, four. He enjoys spending time with his family, supporting Leeds United and playing cricket. He is also interested in music, and enjoys watching films, cooking and spending time outdoors.