Helen Davidson becomes managing partner
25 years from the firm’s inception Angus decides it’s time for a change. He becomes the firm’s first ever Senior Partner, a role which will enable him to focus on his business development work (and occasional golf games) while Helen Davidson, having been involved in the running of the firm for over 15 years becomes the second ever managing partner.
Ilkley Office Official opening
While doors opened on the new Ilkley office in 2020, due to COVID restrictions it takes until September 2021 for the official opening party to tale place. The firm is joined by some clients and Yorkshire contacts to celebrate!
2 Victorian Mews, Ilkley
The partners buy former fishmongers 2 Victorian Mews, South Hawksworth Street, Ilkley completing the purchase just before the pandemic hits. This adds an extra complication to the already challenging refurbishment works to get the building dry and up to scratch, but Ruth overcomes all hurdles creating a modern and stylish new office and the Ilkley office is born!
Land Law expands over the border
Ruth Ormrod joins Land Law to set up the firm’s Yorkshire office in Ilkley. Having worked at the firm earlier in her career Ruth had to leave the firm when her family relocated to Ilkley. When the opportunity arose to welcome Ruth back and open Land Law’s first branch office the firm leapt at the chance.
Land Law celebrates 20th Anniversary
By this stage, following the well established recruitment strategies a contingent of former DLA property specialists (Hans Scheiwiller, Steven Jennings, Louise Belderbos, Carolyn O’ Brien) have joined the firm as consultants/partners.
A walking weekend in glorious sunshine in Borrowdale with clients marks the firm’s 20th anniversary.
Jenny Clarke becomes a partner
Jenny joined the firm as a work experience school leaver. Staying with the firm to progress her legal career she became a paralegal, went to Law School, qualified after her training contract with us and after a period as an associate partner joined the firm’s partnership when only 7 years qualified becoming the firm’s first “home grown” partner.
Sarah Bonwick becomes a partner
Following a reorganisation of the partnership Sarah becomes the first partner promoted under the new arrangements. Sarah first joined the firm in 2009, after a series of client calls saying we should take her on!
1000th matter for first client
Land Law opens its 1000th matter for its first ever client, The Hollins Murray Group who remain active clients of the firm.
Financial Crash
The financial crash is a difficult time for property professionals everywhere. Land Law, served well by the breadth of its lawyers’ experience and knowledge adapts taking on new work streams and weathering the financial storm.
10th anniversary and Helen Davidson becomes a partner
Having joined the firm in 2006 Helen is promoted to partner in 2008. As part of her partner duties Helen takes over responsibility for the firm’s risk management, setting up the firm’s office procedure manual and gaining the firm’s Lexcel accreditation. Land Law also celebrates its 10th anniversary with a climb of Snowdon and trip with clients to the PYG Hotel in the heart of Snowdonia.
5 Market Street, Altrincham
Having bought another freehold building (10 Market Street) in 2006, the partners buy 5 Market Street, Altrincham, the firm’s fourth building in Altrincham, expanding the firm’s offices to both sides of Market Street to allow for all future expansion. Following the previous formula any extra space is sublet.
Land Law incorporates as a limited liability partnership.
Having grown over the preceding 8 years to 20 staff and 4 partners, in 2007 Land Law incorporated as an LLP and has operated on this basis ever since.
Diana Craven joins Land Law as a consultant
Ex-head of Addleshaw Sons & Latham property department Diana joined the firm as a part time consultant in 2006 and has worked with us for over 18 years. 2024 heralds Diana’s 50th consecutive year of holding a practicing certificate. As ex-head of a prestigious property team Diana was the first of several department heads to become long term consultants with the firm. All consultants bring a wealth of expert experience to enhance the legal capability of the firm.
Land Law wins its first Insider Award
After six years of straight-line growth, the firm is recognised for its work and the Insider Awards. The GE Group of Companies first instruct the firm on the sale of parts of the McTwister portfolio (prominent Manchester buildings) – starting a client relationship that has lasted 20 years.
Paul Grundy becomes Land Law’s second partner.
Having joined Angus at Land Law in 1999, Paul became the firm’s second ever partner in 2003. Paul had worked with Angus at Addleshaw Booth & Co and was a known to be an excellent lawyer. The strategy of recruiting known talent set up a pattern for the firm’s growth, which is still followed today.
14 Market Street, Altrincham.
To allow for the future growth of the business Angus buys the firm’s second office, expanding the business into the next-door property. As there was space to spare the firm acquired some sub-tenants, the first of which was Nick Goodman, an insolvency practitioner, who took space and stayed in Land Law’s buildings for over 20 years.
12 Market Street, Altrincham.
Angus buys the firm’s first premises as a freehold purchase. At this point in addition to Angus, the firm had an office manager, a secretary and a paralegal. The firm’s first part time fee earner Gwyneth Heritage also joined in 1998. Gwyneth spent the rest of her working life up to retirement at the firm - a most important first appointment. The firm’s second paralegal, the late Matthew Dempsey who would spend 17 years at the firm also joined in 1998.
Angus Whyte founds Land Law.
Angus believed it should be possible to deliver outstanding city centre quality legal services to clients for fair and reasonable fees by cutting past the bureaucracy and overheads that can plague larger firms. He set up Land Law on 1 June 1998 to prove the point – and over 25 years later the current partners continue to drive the firm forward with the same values.