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Clarion—Kate Joss, Jessica Wager & Emily Brownsword

21 August 2023
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
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Property litigation team expands with three appointments

Kate Joss, Jessica Wager and Emily Brownsword are the latest recruits to join the seven-strong dedicated property litigation team within Clarion’s expanding real estate practice. All three join Clarion from international law firms bringing with them excellent expertise. 

Kate joins as a senior associate and has substantial experience of dealing with complex commercial and residential property disputes for a wide range of clients, including public sector clients, developers, social housing providers, portfolio managers and individuals.

Associate Jess has acted for a wide range of private and public sector landlords and tenants, advising on matters related to commercial and residential property including lease renewals, dilapidations, termination and possession, breach of covenant and rent/service charge arrears.

As a paralegal in the team, Emily will assist with a broad range of contentious matters covering all aspects of estate management.

The team has already seen expansion this year with the appointments of experienced legal director Lisa Stratford as well as Emily Hartley as a paralegal.

'Since founding the property litigation team six years ago, we’ve seen tremendous demand for our services and have established a reputation as one of the leading specialist teams in the region. We have experienced significant growth in the last year and are seeing that reflected in the quality of work a bigger team allows us to undertake,” says Sophie Morley, partner and head of the property litigation team. 'We’re seeing an increasing number of referrals from all sorts of different types of work from clients ranging from national retailers to local authorities and residential and commercial developers.

'It’s fantastic to further boost the team with new talent as our workload increases alongside the continued growth of Clarion’s real estate practice. Kate and Jess bring a wealth of experience in all areas of property litigation, and Emily (Brownsword) provides further resource as our workload continues to increase. All of our new team members share Clarion’s values and have been attracted by the type of challenging national work we undertake.'

Kate says: 'I am excited to be part of Clarion’s growth. I am looking forward to adding to the expertise of an already experienced and influential team with an outstanding reputation in the region.'

Jess Wager adds: 'Clarion’s exceptional reputation for client service and its expertise has always stood out to me and I am pleased to be joining such a talented team, particularly given the continued growth and expansion of the firm. I’m really looking forward to forging strong relationships with our clients whilst working alongside such a well-respected, experienced team.'

Emily Brownsword adds: 'I am excited to be working with such an ambitious and fast-growing specialist property litigation practice. It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand my legal knowledge and experience.'

Clarion's real estate practice provides a full range of property expertise from development, investment, planning, asset management, corporate occupier work through to retail, leisure and secured lending.

Image caption (left to right): Clarion’s property litigation team comprising Emily Brownsword, Jessica Wager, Sophie Morley, Lisa Stratford, Kate Joss and Paige Duller.

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