
The clarity of the sense of purpose, along with the vision and firm’s values of regional law firm, Paris Smith LLP, are reaping benefits. Not only do they enable all in the firm, clients and referrers to understand the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of the firm’s service, but it is enabling the firm to buck the trend of the challenges in recruiting talented professionals and support staff.
The firm which has seen consistent growth over recent years, significantly higher than the average for law firms nationally, has attracted five new lawyers to the firm, strengthening the firm’s credentials as one of the leading law firms in the Central South.
Helen Brown, a partner with Manchester and Cheshire firm, Slater Heelis, has joined Paris Smith’s Commercial Dispute Resolution team. She brings with her a wealth of experience in commercial dispute resolution across all sectors of business, acting for regional and national businesses across a range of sectors.
Helen, who has regularly been recommended for her expertise and skill in the national legal directories, said: “It is important for me to be part of a firm that shares my aspirations and values. Paris Smith not only stood out for being regionally focused – embedded in and committed to the community it supports – but also for the quality of its product, which is evident from the endorsements and testimonials provided by clients and associates, as well as the obvious job satisfaction expressed by many of its long standing employees.”
Experienced solicitors Alison Jones and Tamsin Simmonds have joined the firm as Associates specialising in Commercial Property. Both have joined Paris Smith having worked for London firms. Alison, who worked in Guildford before moving to London, selected the firm on the strength of both the opportunity to undertake rewarding property work for the firm’s clients but alignment of the firm’s purpose, vision and values with her own beliefs.
Tamsin strengthens the firm’s commitment to serving and advising both charities and educational establishments, having acted for organisations in both business sectors as well as being chair of trustees of a charity foundation.
Paris Smith, which is one of very few to boast a team of planning lawyers and planning consultants, has also been joined by a senior planning officer from Winchester City Council. Jane Rarok has worked in local authority development management for over 18 years and has significant experience and expertise in urban and rural planning with a particular specialism in planning within National Parks. Jane has a wide range of planning experience in both urban and rural environments, in historic and special landscape settings. This experience extends to housing development schemes, commercial expansions and changes of use. Most recently in the South Downs National Park this has also included development for leisure and tourism, agriculture and other rural business and enterprises.
Dispute Resolution paralegal, Alex Cooper, has elected to start a new career in the legal profession following seven very successful years in the asset finance industry where he worked for both a funder and as an independent broker. Alex was awarded the LeasingWorld Next Generation Award in 2016.
Peter Taylor, managing partner at Paris Smith, said: “It never fails to give one an extra spring in one’s step when highly talented people come to work with you who share the firm’s vision, values and clear sense of purpose. I’m absolutely thrilled that Helen, Alison, Tamsin, Jane and Alex have decided that Paris Smith is the right place for them in their careers. They will bring fresh ideas, their own energy, professional expertise and experiences as well as commercial acumen to our growing team at Paris Smith. They understand our ‘Why’, our purpose as a firm, I know they will enhance how we deliver our services and value to our clients.”