New hire for Lodders’ real estate practice boosts landlord and tenant expertise

(left to right) Landlord and tenant solicitor Lucy Skelton has joined Lodders’ Real Estate team, headed by partner Paul Mourton.

Landlord and tenant solicitor Lucy Skelton has joined the top-ranking Real Estate team of Midlands law firm Lodders as it reports sustained growth in its work for commercial and residential property developers, house builders, investment companies and funders.

Joining from DLA Piper, Birmingham, where she was Real Estate Associate for two years, Lucy is the third new hire for Lodders’ Real Estate team in as many months.

The team is now one of the largest specialist real estate practices in the region with eight partners and 23 fee earners and support staff.

It was awarded the highest Tier 1 ranking for its real estate work in the 2016 Legal 500 Guide, and partners Nick East and Paul Mourton have been listed as ‘leaders in their field’ by Chambers UK, which recommends the team for its real estate work.

Law graduate Lucy has extensive commercial property experience, particularly acting on a variety of landlord and tenant matters including granting and acquisition of new leases, lease renewals and licences for alternation. She was last year nominated for the Birmingham law Society Pro Bono Associate of the Year.

She qualified at JWK Solicitors, and has also worked at Graham M Riley & Co Solicitors and Kenworth Chambers.

Commenting on Lucy’s appointment, Real Estate partner and practice head Paul Mourton said: “Lucy’s appointment is driven by the high level of business for the team across commercial property, investment and commercial development matters. Lucy brings excellent skills, knowledge and experience to the team and firm as a whole.”

Lucy added: “Lodders has a great reputation, particularly for its real estate work, and my move to the firm represents a significant professional opportunity to work with a very busy, accomplished and ambitious real estate team and law firm.”