Bristol real estate legal specialist Kate Topp has joined regional law firm Ashfords’ property team as a partner after 11 years with rival Osborne Clarke.
Kate, pictured, arrives at Ashfords’ Bristol office as the firm looks to strengthen its position in the South West property market.
A leading residential development lawyer, she is highly regarded in the sector and brings to Ashfords a wealth of experience including acting for a number of major housebuilder clients and advising on the development of strategic land, both regionally and nationally.
Kate worked at South West firm Clarke Willmott for nearly two years before joining Osborne Clarke’s Bristol office in 2007. After seven years as an associate she became a partner in its real estate team in 2014.
She said: “I’m very pleased to be joining the Bristol office of Ashfords to help build on and expand what is already a successful and well-regarded residential development practice in the South and South West.
“I’m looking forward to working with new real estate, planning, construction, tax, corporate and banking colleagues at Ashfords who are already operating in this sector.”
Ashfords’ real estate team one of the largest development practices in the South West, with a strong reputation for advising residential developers and housebuilders.
It has an ongoing and successful relationship with key residential developers with a particular focus on strategic development land. The team’s focus will be growth from Bristol and surrounds and bridging the gap in this highly competitive area of the market.
Real estate team head and partner Tim Heal added: “The significance of gaining Kate reinforces Ashfords’ commitment to the firm’s expansion plans into the Bristol market. Kate will significantly strengthen the firm’s real estate offering to clients through her substantial reputation in the sector.”
Ashfords employs around 500 people across its offices in Bristol, Exeter, London, Taunton, Tiverton and Plymouth.
Pictured: Ashfords new real estate partner Kate Topp, and with chairman Mark Lomas, left, and head of real estate Tim Heal
