Transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has strengthened its real estate sector team in Bristol with seven new appointments.
Managing associate Lorrae Hendry and three new associates – Mary Waters, Joanna Gannon and Martin Bailey – have joined WBD’s Temple Quay office while Kate Higgins, Tomas Griffiths and Diana Miller were appointed as solicitors. 
The new joiners are part of a wider recruitment drive nationally that has resulted in 14 new lawyers joining the Bristol office alone this month.
WBD Bristol partner and head of its real estate group, Fiona O’Kane, pictured, said: “Following a series of new instructions from some of our major real estate clients nationally and in Bristol, we’re delighted to welcome all our new recruits to the team.
“Their expertise will play an important role in strengthening our real estate offering here in Bristol as we continue to advise on many of the exciting developments and initiatives shaping the city and beyond.”
WBD shared its insights of the real estate sector at the recent Global Parliament of Mayors Annual Summit in Bristol. The high-profile event attracted more than 80 Mayors from around the world to discuss key challenges facing cities globally from urban security, public health, governance, migration and innovation.
WBD took part in the ‘City Solutions’ debate and chaired a panel discussion on housing and transport which looked at how city growth is creating demand for more and better housing and the infrastructure needed to boost economic performance.
WBD also hosted the first Real Estate Quarterly Talks in Bristol as part of a series taking place across the firm’s eight UK offices. A range of speakers discussed the issues affecting residential development including proposals for leasehold reform.
Paul Britton, senior development manager at Homes England – one of WBD’s clients – provided an update on the agency’s strategy and the role it plays in unlocking obstacles and enabling housing on land currently inaccessible to private developers.
Also speaking was Bristol Housing Festival chair Jez Sweetland, who talked about Bristol as an innovative city and the importance of housing initiatives being supported by the business community.
WBD employs around 235 staff in Bristol – making it the second largest of its UK offices. The firm also has 19 offices in the US.
