Commercial law firm Thrings, which has an office in Bristol, has recruited three specialist solicitors to advise its fast-growing portfolio of commercial property clients.
Partner Edward Jackman, associate Iain Mason and solicitor Natalia Sokolov join the firm to further strengthen its commercial property and construction offering.
Edward arrives from Oxfordshire-based commercial law firm Brookstreet Des Roches, where he had been a partner since 2005.
He has broad experience of commercial property work, in particular advising clients on the acquisition and disposal of land for development, commercial landlord and tenant transactions and property work in the utilities sector. He has also acted for FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies, as well as large private companies and private clients.
Iain joins from Bath firm Stone King, where he was an associate solicitor in its business property team. His experience includes the sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold properties, acting on the grant of commercial leases, and development and regeneration projects.
He has provided commercial property advice to a range of clients, including small and medium-sized enterprises, owner-managed businesses, large corporates, private individuals, investors and lenders.
Natalia, who joins from Bristol-headquartered national firm Clarke Willmott, specialises in construction law. She has acted for a number of clients from the renewable energy sector – particularly wind, solar and biogas – and has acted on a range of major domestic and international construction and engineering projects.
In her new role, she will advise clients on construction procurement, dispute resolution and in the management of construction and engineering contracts. She will also use her extensive experience of negotiating building contracts, professional appointments, collateral warranties, bonds and guarantees for national and international developers, employers and contractors.
Thrings has offices in Bath, Swindon and London as well as Bristol.
Commercial property partner Colin Stratton said: “In the past nine months, the commercial property market has shown significant signs of improvement and stability, thanks to an improving economic outlook, an increase in the number of residential and commercial developments and a marked return to activity in the construction market. There is a growing sense of confidence among developers, and the buoyancy in the market is being reflected in the range, quantity and complexity of projects that Thrings is being asked to advise on.
“Edward, Iain and Natalia are joining at an extremely exciting time for the firm and I am confident their expertise will only enhance Thrings’ strong reputation for commercial and corporate work. The appointment of three such experienced legal professionals not only supports our strategic approach to growth, but it will also enable Thrings to continue providing its commercial property clients with the specialist legal advice they have come to expect.”
Pictured, from left: Iain Mason, Edward Jackman and Natalia Sokolov