11 lawyers on the rise in Gloucestershire
Cheltenham-headquartered law firm Willans LLP, has announced a series of promotions for existing members of staff, acknowledging the strength in depth across its legal teams.
* Everything we do on Raikes is possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College and Merrell People; our sponsors: Randall & Payne and Hartpury University and Hartpury College; our Founding Members and all our wonderful paying subscribers. The support of all of you is invaluable! For commercial opportunities visit our About us page or email andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.

Willans LLP solicitors has announced the promotion of 11 lawyers across the firm, including the appointment of three new partners in its acclaimed wills, trusts & probate and residential property teams.
Highly rated by the independent national legal guide, The Legal 500, Willans’ expert wills, trusts & probate team is one of the largest in the area.
With the promotion of Laura Stone, the partner count in this department now stands at four, bringing the total number across the firm to 19.
Simon Cook, partner and head of the firm’s wills, trusts & probate department, said: “Laura has made a tremendous contribution to the department over the years; I am thrilled to see her promoted.
“She is a technically excellent lawyer and a fantastic mentor to other members of our team. This recognition is wholly deserved.”
In the residential property team, Hilary Banister has been promoted to partner, and Mary Young promoted to partner, chartered legal executive.
Suzanne O’Riordan, partner and head of the department, said: “Hilary and Mary’s contribution to the team and wider firm has been outstanding. This promotion reflects their attention to detail and unwavering commitment to their clients.”
Elsewhere in the firm’s Chambers UK and Legal 500-rated (the independent guides to the legal profession in the UK) teams, eight lawyers have advanced to the next level. In the wills, trusts & probate team, Jennifer Cockett and Janine Guthrie have been promoted to senior associate.
Associates Helen Howes (corporate & commercial), Katie Duthie (dispute resolution), Charlotte Cowdell, and Emma Thompson (real estate) have also been elevated to senior associate.
Additionally, licensed conveyancer Tina Caster (residential property) and chartered legal executive Megan Bullingham (dispute resolution) have been promoted to associate in their respective areas.
Bridget Redmond, managing partner of Willans LLP, said: “It’s a pleasure to congratulate our brilliant lawyers on their well-deserved promotions.
“Each displays the qualities that are at the core of our firm – outstanding legal expertise and real client focus. We look forward to watching them all progress further in their careers at Willans.”
With over 100 people now employed at its Cheltenham offices – and having recently achieved a 16th consecutive year of Lexcel accreditation, awarded only to top-tier firms – Willans is a trusted provider of practical and personal legal support, having assisted businesses, people, charities and not-for-profit organisations based locally, nationally and overseas for more than 75 years.
The story above is a press release sent to Raikes in June 2024.
🔓 You’ve been reading a section of The Raikes Journal that is free to all. Everything we do on Raikes is possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College and Merrell People; our sponsors: Randall & Payne and Hartpury University and Hartpury College; our Founding Members and all our wonderful paying subscribers. If you upgrade to paid too, you’ll be able to see beyond the paywalls we place on many of our second and third editions of the week and that locks our archive after two weeks. You will be able to view our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series, sponsored by Randall & Payne, comment on our stories and you will be helping to make possible this community interest company dedicated to supporting the county, its businesses, charities and education and training providers — all for just £2.30 per week! Please so think about joining us as a paid-for member if you can.