Support from the local business community spurs new appointments

Following the recent arrival of two new directors, Phillips Solicitors continues to grow with three new appointments.

Back in October City high-flyers, Jack Gardener and Max Hope, joined the Basingstoke law firm as directors and shareholders because they see huge potential in Phillips and exciting opportunities for growth.

It seems that their instincts are proving to be spot on as the firm has made three new appointments at its Town Gate offices in London Street.

Among them is Maria Booth who has joined the firm as a Family Law solicitor. Former legal secretary Claire-Marie Selwood has stepped up to the mark and become a solicitor in the Wills and Probate team. With an eye on nurturing and investing in future talent, Nour Belal has been appointed a trainee solicitor.

Maria joins the firm after taking a short break from the law to have a family. No stranger to Basingstoke, Maria trained with another firm in the town before moving on to work for a well-respected law firm in Winchester.

Maria, who specialises in all areas of Family Law including divorce, separation, prenuptial agreements and child management issues, said: “I am thrilled to be a part of the Family Law team at Phillips and look forward to advising clients on their family matters.

“I am keen to build on the strong reputation that Phillips has, working with its knowledgeable Family Law team.”

Claire-Marie has worked in the legal profession since 1995 starting her early career as a legal secretary.

She subsequently qualified as a legal executive and went on to qualify as a solicitor in 2009, specialising in Family Law.

After a short break Claire-Marie joined Phillips in October 2016 working as a legal secretary in the Wills and Probate team, where she gained valuable knowledge and experience.

Claire-Marie said: “I found that I enjoyed working for the Phillips’ Wills and Probate team so the decision to convert to this new practice area was a natural choice.”

She now specialises in Wills, Estate Administration and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Claire-Marie added: “I enjoy assisting clients in planning for the future and protecting the assets that they may wish to pass on to their loved ones, bringing them peace of mind.”

Nour recently joined Phillips as a trainee solicitor and currently works in our Family Law and Litigation teams and will spend the next two years working across all departments of the firm.

Having graduated from Cardiff University in 2013 she has plenty of legal experience having worked for the regulatory team of a national law firm. She has also previously worked within Corporate and Property teams as a paralegal.

Delighted with the appointments, Jack who works in both the Employment Law and Corporate and Commercial teams, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Maria and Nour to the firm and to promote Claire-Marie within the Wills and Probate team.”

“These appointments mark a continuation of our ongoing strategy for investing in staff and demonstrate the firm’s commitment to providing clients with talented legal professionals.”

Jack himself has no regrets in joining Phillips where he has thrown himself into getting to know the local business community, by attending local networking events with the Inspire Business Awards being a highlight.

“Getting to know and working with local businesses has been an absolute pleasure and everyone has made me feel very welcome,” said Jack.

Max, who heads the Commercial and Civil Litigation team, said: “I have to say the Basingstoke and wider Hampshire business community are absolutely first rate – making this a friendly, dynamic and innovative place to be. The business network never seems to miss an opportunity to support each other in growing successful businesses.

“An example of this is our recruitment drive, which is being helped significantly by talented people being recommended to us by the business community.”

“It is already clear that Maria, Claire-Marie and Nour are passionate, hardworking and driven and we wish them every success as they add strength and depth to Phillips in this exciting period of growth.”