Cheltenham-based Willans LLP has appointed its newest partner - property litigation expert Nick Southwell.

New partner Nick Southwell is rated in independent guide The Legal 500 and has worked at the firm for seven years, having joined the firm as a solicitor from Gloucester-based Tayntons Solicitors in 2014. His promotion brings the firm's partner count to 15.

Mr Southwell works with a varied client base of businesses and individuals, resolving a wide range of disputes from landlord & tenant and inheritance cases through to disputes among shareholders, over contracts and intellectual property.

Managing partner Bridget Redmond said: "Nick is a real asset to the firm and our clients, and we are delighted to appoint him as our newest partner. He is fast becoming one of the leaders in the field of property litigation and we are pleased to see this team continue to go from strength to strength."

Mr Southwell said: "Willans is a firm I am proud to be part of and I am delighted to have been made a partner. I look forward to continuing to provide my clients with commercially-minded, clear solutions to a range of legal issues."

The news of his promotion comes as the firm secures the prestigious Lexcel accreditation for the 13th consecutive year - a rigorous standard of quality and compliance awarded by The Law Society. Independent assessors noted the firm's client satisfaction score of over 98 per cent and said: "Staff speak highly of the management team and appreciate the high levels of support that has been provided over the past 12 months."

Nick is chairing a webinar next week (June 22) - "Commercial property - emerging from Covid" - in which Willans' lawyers will cover what steps landlords can take to recover outstanding rent and how struggling tenants can prepare to deal with lockdown rent arrears.

For more information, please visit www.willans.co.uk.