Three new recruits for our family team

Our family team has welcomed back Ellie Foster as a principal associate. Ellie was one of the original members that left Addleshaw Goddard to set up the Leeds family team at Mills & Reeve in 2008. Following her departure in 2012, Ellie worked at Harrogate Family Law. 

Joining the team as a senior associate is Claudia Gilham. Claudia also previously worked at Harrogate Family law where she was an associate solicitor. 

Claudia was also recently made chair of the West and North Yorkshire Young Resolution Committee. Resolution is a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way. 

Ellie and Claudia advise on all aspects of matrimonial law, cohabitation and children matters. 

Also returning to the family team is legal secretary Linda Nawoj. Linda, who worked for Mills & Reeve from 2008 to 2011, is joining from Wrigleys. 

Our Leeds office has significantly expanded its offering recently with the launch of a corporate team headed by former Irwin Mitchell partner Paul Johnson, plus partner Simon Pedley leading our move into commercial disputes. We have also boosted the private client offering with the arrival of partner Andrew Playle from Bond Dickinson. 

Philip Way, head of the Leeds office, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Claudia to the firm and former colleagues, Ellie and Linda, back into the fold. 

“The expansion of our Leeds office is gathering pace and our reputation for being a great place to work is demonstrated by the number of well-regarded lawyers, who are leaders in their respected field, joining our Leeds team.”