Law firm Lodders has appointed Louise Igoe as the new head of its top ranking Private Client practice.

A specialist in estate planning, wills, trusts and probate matters, Louise joined Lodders 17-years ago as a trainee, and qualified into the private client team.

In 2011, she made history at the firm when she became its youngest partner at the age of 30.

Described by the Chambers UK Legal Guide as ‘an accomplished adviser to private clients’ and a ‘notable practitioner’, Louise is widely respected for her quality advice on a variety of private client estate planning matters, and for her work with farming estates and family businesses.

Louise takes over as head of the private client department from Martin Green, who originally joined the firm as a partner in 1986, since when he has led the team’s phenomenal expansion - today it is one of the Midlands’ largest dedicated private client practices with 32 team members, including three partners and 22 fee earners, with a national reputation for excellence, and consistent top tier rankings for the last 20 years from both Chambers Guide to the UK Legal Profession and the Legal 500.

Martin will continue to support Louise, the team and its clients, and remains Lodders’ Senior Partner, a position he has held since 2014.

“The Private Client department is an exceptionally talented and skilful group of people,”

“Our strength lies in our very personal approach to client service, together with the legal expertise that covers many specialist areas . Six of our team are members of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners and we were also one of the founder members of the Solicitors for the Elderly group. I am honoured to lead such a great team.

“I started my legal career at Lodders, and feel fortunate to have spent the last 17 years working alongside Martin and to have been trained by him. Martin is hugely experienced and highly regarded as an expert private client law specialist, and has been an excellent mentor.”

Martin Green says:

“Not only is Louise a brilliant private client lawyer, she is highly efficient and organised, and combines her legal prowess with strong client and team management skills and competencies. We have worked well together throughout the last 17 years, and I know the responsibilities of managing the private client department are in very safe hands as Louise leads it into its next phase.

“The department has undergone exponential growth over the last thirty years,”

“and established a reputation as a highly capable team of experienced practitioners, well regarded in the private client market, winning several awards and high-praise for its quality operation from the Legal 500, Chambers and Chambers UK’s High Net Worth Guide.”

Louise adds:

“With our strength in depth and ability to offer city expertise and service levels in regional locations, our reputation continues to grow. My vision and ambition for the department are to build on the successes to date, and on the areas of expertise in which we are known to provide the best quality legal advice.

“The team will continue to grow and move with the times in the private client legal arena, with plans for new senior hires already underway.”

“I am so pleased to continue working at the firm,”

“and to remain involved in advising clients as well as guiding Lodders’ operational, strategic and development strategies as senior partner, alongside Paul Mourton the firm’s managing partner.”

Lodders is a premier law firm in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Henley in Arden. The firm has 26 partners and over 160 fee earners and support staff across its office network. With its portfolio of sector and market specific top-ranking legal teams, the firm has recorded year-on-year growth in recent years. For more information: www.lodders.co.uk.