Gateley Plc continues expansion in Leeds with Commerce, Technology & Media launch and three new appointments

Our Leeds office has launched a Commerce, Technology & Media (CTM) offering with the appointment of CTM partner, Rob Lucas, and continues to grow its property departments with two new hires to the Residential Development and Real Estate teams.

Rob Lucas joins Gateley Plc after almost 10 years at Shulmans LLP as a partner and head of intellectual property (IP). He specialises in the full range of IP rights, including patents, trade marks, copyright and design rights. Rob has a particular specialism in acting for packaging, fragrance, cosmetic and retail businesses, as well as being well known for acting for international clients, from Brazil and the USA to Europe.

In addition to the new CTM offering, Gateley’s Leeds office now covers Banking & Finance, Financial Disputes & Regulation, Restructuring, Corporate, Regulatory, Dispute Resolution, Residential Development, Employment, Construction and Real Estate.

The Residential Development team has also appointed associate Richard Gillatt, who joins from Atherton Godfrey, as Gateley continues to bolster its rapidly growing team. In the past few months, the department has added two paralegals, two plot conveyancers and two admin assistants, while January this year saw three new solicitors and eight paralegals join this area of the practice. Gateley Group’s recent acquisition of GCL Solicitors in Guildford positions the firm as now having one of the largest specialist Residential Development teams in the UK, covering Birmingham, Leeds, London, Reading, Manchester and the East Midlands.

Additionally, the Real Estate department has appointed solicitor Amy Venson from Wosskow Brown Solicitors in Sheffield, where she worked as a solicitor after completing her training contract with the firm.

The appointments follow on from the Leeds office announcing a new head in May this year, with Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR) partner Andrew Johnson taking over from Restructuring partner William Ballmann, who is reducing his commitments ahead of retirement in 2020.

Andrew Johnson commented: “It’s fantastic to welcome three new appointments in my first few months as head of the Leeds office. Rob’s appointment and the launch of a CTM offering continues our ambitious growth in Yorkshire since opening the Leeds office in 2012, as we continue to build on the success we’ve had in the past six years.

“Rob brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of IP, and I welcome him, Richard and Amy to the team. They will all be a great asset to our firm as we continue to advise clients throughout Yorkshire and beyond.”