Celebrations reign as promotions strengthen firm's Partnership

In a year of change and uncertainty it is with pleasure that we announce the promotion of two Associate Solicitors to the role of Partner as of 1^st November 2020; Sue Nicholson and Anne Mills.

Andy Munden, Managing Partner and Chartered Legal Executive, commented on the promotions, “Sue and Anne have both been with the firm for many years and so their promotion to Partnership is an extremely welcome one due to their energy, enthusiasm and determination to serve their clients in the best way possible.  They have both shown their dedication to the firm through various projects and are totally in sync with the overall Partnership’s aims to modernise and improve our service delivery for all our clients, particularly with their changing demands and expectations of us.

“We can all agree that this year has been a challenging one in our personal and professional lives, however their decision to join us as Partners as they have the confidence in the way we have been and will continue to do business fills the Partnership with positivity about our plans for the short, medium and long term future.”

About our new Partners

Sue Nicholson joined the firm in 2002 as a Trainee Solicitor and upon qualifying took up her permanent role in the Private Client department.  She was promoted to an Associate of the firm in 2006, and currently specialises in working with elderly clients on making arrangements for their affairs, such as writing Lasting Powers of Attorney, Deputyships, probate and estate administration.  Sue takes her role in supporting her clients incredibly seriously and as such is an active member of The Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners, Solicitors for the Elderly, The Alzheimer’s Society and Action Against Elder Abuse.  Over the years, she has built a well-earned reputation for offering practical and pragmatic advice while remaining compassionate and approachable. 

In her dedication to the firm, Sue also took an active role in the development and launch of the firm’s Practice Management System in 2019, overseeing the programme that would lead to a more user-friendly experience for her colleagues and clients in the Private Client department.  Speaking of her promotion, Sue said, “I have spent my whole legal career at Warner Goodman and so to be a Partner amongst colleagues and friends for whom I have the utmost respect fills me with pride.  The last couple of years have been ones of change with our new Practice Management System and branding, and of course, this year has thrown some unexpected ups and downs our way, but I am looking forward to seeing where the coming years take us and I am excited to be a part of the firms’ future in this way.”

Anne Mills has also enjoyed a long career with the firm, focussing on property law.  She started as a Legal Assistant within our Property team in Portsmouth in 2000 while studying for her LPC, before commencing her training contract in 2001.  Upon qualifying two years later, she remained in the Property department going on to lead various teams across our Hampshire based offices.  She was promoted to an Associate of the firm in 2005 and has had marked success in the opening of the firm’s Chandler’s Ford office in 2018, which has expanded year on year earning the reputation of providing a swift, efficient yet friendly service to their many new and returning clients.  Commenting about her promotion to Partner, Anne said, “This is the perfect way to mark my 20 years here and is recognition of not only the key moments in my career but also my belief in the future of the firm.  The last few months have shown me more about the firm in their determination to survive and thrive, as well as in their support for the employees during this time, and I am delighted to now be a Partner at such a dynamic firm.”

Andy concludes, “In addition to the new breadth of skills and experience Sue and Anne will bring to our Partnership, their promotions result in our Partnership now containing more female Partners than male Partners, which is rare in the legal industry.  In an article published in the Financial Times earlier this year, it was indicated that only approximately one fifth of Partners in the legal industry are women, despite there being more women practising the law now than men.  Our view has always been, and will always be, to have no barriers to success for the right people and to promote based on merit, no matter your background, working hours, department, gender, race or any other factor.  Sue and Anne’s promotions are a reflection of their expertise and their track record of delivering for their clients and the firm, and of their energy and vision for continuing to develop their own practice areas.”

The firm has in the past been celebrated for their approach to equal opportunities, having won both the Regional and National Awards for the Venus Awards in 2018; a ceremony created to celebrate the achievements of women in business.  If you would like more information regarding career opportunities at Warner Goodman, you can visit our Careers page or email recruitment@warnergoodman.co.uk.