Ward Hadaway’s social housing team, part of the broader Built Environment group at the UK Top 100 firm, is considered one of the largest, most-established legal teams working in the sector in the north with a team of 19.
Partner Julia Thomson, based in the Newcastle office has been appointed as head of social housing and has overall responsibility for leading the team across all three regions. She is recognised as a leading social housing lawyer experienced in advising registered providers on all aspects of development and operational property matters.
Jen Robinson, Partner joined Ward Hadaway's Leeds office in May 2021, adding new clients to the firms' already impressive list and bringing a wealth of expertise and experience acting for regional and national registered providers. Jen advises on the full spectrum of complex real estate and development transactions and leads a multi-disciplinary team providing a complete range of services to the social housing sector.
Partner Simon Thirtle has been appointed as the head of the firm's housing management team. Simon joined Ward Hadaway with John Murray in 2013 and has played a key role in the success of the team since. Leading a group of eight, including four highly experienced housing lawyers, Simon will co-ordinate Ward Hadaway's housing management services on a regional and national basis.
2022 sees Partner John Murray moving from Leeds to the Newcastle office to set up a dedicated housing management service in the North East. John has specialised in Housing Law since 1987. Solicitor Sarah Lambert has also recently been appointed to the social housing team in Newcastle to assist John in expanding the offering.
Melanie Dirom joined as a director in December 2020 and is based at the firm's office in Manchester where she will develop the firm's housing management practice in the North West. With over 20 years’ experience working as a housing lawyer, Melanie is responsible for advising and providing legal advice and litigation services to clients in the North West, Wales and nationally.
Head of social housing, Julia Thomson, said: “We have made a number of strategic changes and appointments to our social housing team across all three regions to support our continued growth and strengthen and enhance our service offering to clients across the north and nationally."
In addition, Alistair McDonald has been promoted to Strategic Business Development Director for the Built Environment team. Alistair joined the organisation in June 2019 and is responsible for supporting the team as they nurture and grow the firm’s extensive list of social housing, real estate, construction and house builder clients across the three regions and nationally.
Pictured: Ward Hadaway’s Social Housing Team pictured left to right: Julia Thomson, John Murray, Simon Thirtle, Melanie Dirom, Alistair McDonald and Jen Robinson.
