New Shareholder Directors announced at Wake Smith

Sheffield’s Wake Smith Solicitors has appointed two new shareholders to its senior team.

Commercial Property director Paul Gibbon and Private Client director Suzanne Porter join the existing seven-strong team of shareholder directors at the established law firm.

The move, with effect from May 1, reinforces the strength of the firm’s management with a firm eye on succession planning and stability for the future.

Paul joined the firm in 2015 as a director and has more than 18 years’ experience in Commercial Property, particularly occupier led transactions, investment deals, leases, property development and portfolio management. Paul also heads up the firm’s risk and compliance.

Suzanne is a specialist in Private Client law and joined the firm as a director in 2017, taking over as head of department later that year. She has extensive experience in all areas of Private Client work including wills, probate applications and estate administration, inheritance tax planning, elderly client issues, powers of attorney and trusts.

Nick Lambert, chairman of Wake Smith, said: “I am delighted that Suzanne and Paul have become shareholder directors of Wake Smith Solicitors Ltd.”

“Their appointment will bring added strength, stability and depth to the management of the company, and to the vitality and profitability of the Wake Smith brand over the forthcoming years, as well as adding a much needed younger profile to the ownership structure and legacy of the business. Their introduction is a key element of the firm’s strategy in addressing long term succession planning.”

“I wish both of them all the best in their new role.”

Paul Gibbon said: “I’m extremely proud to become part of the senior team at such a well-regarded Sheffield law firm as we look to expand and develop our highly rated legal services.”

Suzanne Porter added: “I am looking forward to the challenges that this new role brings and know that I will take on board many valuable lessons and skills from my fellow shareholders.”

The firm now has approximately 100 staff, including 48 fee earners and provides legal services for businesses and individuals. It holds legal quality mark Lexcel, plus the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation and boasts 21 years of maintaining the Investors in People accreditation, which sets the standard for people management.

Business clients range from multi-national corporations and national charities to family businesses and individual entrepreneurs, from banks and manufacturers to local authorities, from health sector to retail developers, from PFI/PPP contractors to new media designers.