Somerset-based Porter Dodson, the UK Top 200 law firm, has announced the appointment of three senior solicitors to its rapidly growing Exeter office at Dix’s Field near Southernhay.
Antonia Power, who specialises in corporate and commercial law, joins the firm as Head of Commercial law for Devon and is leading the Porter Dodson’s ‘General Counsel Services’ offering for SME businesses. Prior to joining the firm, Antonia spent seven years at a major regional law firm and a further nine years as General Counsel and advisor to senior leadership teams within fast-growth technology companies.
Antonia has expertise in all areas of commercial agreements, company law, share or asset sale, and purchases and restructuring. A leader in her field, Antonia has also lectured on mitigating business risk and raising finance at the University of Exeter.
Susannah Emson, who joins Porter Dodson as a partner, specialises in private client work, advising high net worth individuals, farming and business clients on their estate and succession planning. This includes wills tax planning, and trusts for clients with interests in rural business, land and agriculture.
Susannah is a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) and a specialist in vulnerable beneficiary trusts and personal injury trusts for those in receipt of compensation awards.
Louise Minifie is the third senior appointment to join the Exeter office. A Senior Associate, Louise specialises in divorce and financial settlements.
Formerly head of international family law at a leading London firm, Louise has particular expertise in matrimonial and associated childcare arrangements, domestically and internationally. Advising clients on dissolving marriage/civil partnerships and financial settlement, parental disputes, relationship breakdown, cohabitation and nuptial agreements, Louise believes in providing pragmatic advice to help clients make empowered and informed decisions.
Commenting on the new appointments David Culshaw, Partner and Head of the Exeter team at Porter Dodson, said: “The introduction of Antonia, Susannah and Louise is a strategic move to strengthen our senior team in Exeter and Devon. Their addition expands the range and depth of services that we can offer our growing client base in the city and throughout the county.”
David expanded: “We believe in being by the side of our clients every step of their journey, building trusted, long-term relationships that span both their private and business lives. From sensitive commercial issues and disputes, to guiding clients through succession planning and marital disputes, we provide a supportive, holistic approach that sets us apart from other law firms. That’s contributing to increasing demand for our services across Devon and the South West.”
Victoria Walker, Partner at the Porter Dodson Exeter office, added: “Since moving to the city, Porter Dodson has found its place, embedded in the Exeter business community. Having expanded to our new Southernhay office in October, we’ve been widely welcomed by the professional sector both for our expertise and for our upbeat, caring culture, helping us to attract key staff to the business.”
Porter Dodson, which has recently opened its new Exeter Office, has increased its South West team to over 200. Delivering city-level, heavyweight expertise, the firm works for a range of local and regional businesses with national and international interests.
Targeting further growth, the firm is actively looking to add to its team of solicitors in all practice areas at its offices in Exeter, Wellington, Taunton, Yeovil, Sherborne, Poundbury and Bridport.