Gateley Plc makes key residential development partner hire

The Birmingham office of Gateley Plc, the legal business of law-led professional services group Gateley, has appointed partner, Belinda Laurance to its Residential Development team.

Belinda joins Gateley from Shakespeare Martineau, where she worked as a partner for seven years, specialising in residential development and regeneration, acting for large housebuilders, local authorities and landowners.

Belinda stated: “In terms of law firms, it doesn’t get better than Gateley and I had no reservations in joining the team here.  They’re a progressive company with a great reputation and I’m excited to have the opportunity to be a part of that.

“Gateley is different because they really do understand the importance of their people and there’s a real sense you can get on and achieve.

“I hope to stay here for many years to come and continue to grow and build on the success of the Residential Development team.”

Partner and national head of Residential Development, Callum Nuttall commented: “We’re pleased to welcome Belinda.  Her knowledge and expertise of residential development will add further strength to our client offering.

“The residential team within the business has more than doubled since Gateley’s acquisition of GCL Solicitors last year and I’m proud to say that we act for the top ten housebuilders nationally.”

Belinda’s appointment is the latest in a string of partner appointments to Gateley, with seven new hires announced in the last three months alone.

The Birmingham office of Gateley Plc was recently named the most active M&A legal advisor in the Midlands for 2018, in a report by Experian.  The business has also been shortlisted in the Birmingham Law Society Awards for National Law Firm of the Year 2019.