Two heads of department at Taylor Bracewell have joined the law firm’s partnership.
Chartered legal executive Mark Walton, head of conveyancing, and Lauren Smith, head of wills, probate and trusts in Sheffield, are the new partners at Taylor Bracewell.
Walton is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and has 20 years of experience in residential conveyancing.
He joined Taylor Bracewell in 2013. A year later in September 2014, he became head of the department. Under his leadership, the size of the conveyancing department has increased substantially.
Walton has increased the size of the department substantially and with his leadership, it has developed into one of the most recognised and successful conveyancing teams in the region.
Walton said: “I am proud to have been appointed a partner at Taylor Bracewell. The opportunity to progress within the firm was a key factor when I decided to join in 2013, and it has been a great journey so far. Being appointed a partner gives me the opportunity to help the firm as we continue to grow and move forward. I look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Taylor Bracewell became an alternative business structure last year in a bid to have a more diverse partnership. The structure allows chartered legal executives such as Walton to lead law firms.
CILEx president Millicent Grant commented: “We are delighted to hear that Mark Walton has been appointed to partner at Taylor Bracewell. Partnership is recognition of the growing importance of chartered legal executives in the legal workplace. Mark’s achievement is further evidence that his skill and expertise can finally be acknowledged through partnership status.”
Taylor Bracewell CEO Sharon Beck said: “This is a huge moment for firm. The addition of two highly motivated and driven people to the firm’s management shows our ambition and determination to grow and become even more successful. I know that we have two fantastic additions to the partnership, their work ethic and ambitions fall in line with the whole of the Firm and our vision for the future.”
Smith joined Taylor Bracewell in December of 2014 and specialises in wills, administration of estates, trusts, powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning, care home costs and asset protection. She is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
She commented “I have always wanted to become partner in a law firm and have worked extremely hard to achieve this. Taylor Bracewell is my work family, and I couldn’t be happier to take on the position of partner at this firm.”
