New partners for fast-growing South West law firm

South West law firm Coodes Solicitors has four new partners and a new associate, following a series of promotions across its specialist teams. The promotion of Sarah Cornish, Sarah Cowley, Melanie Grose and Jo Morgan brings the total number of partners across Coodes’ network of offices to 32.

The promotions, which follow the launch of Coodes’ new purpose-built office in St Austell as well as a number of new appointments, are in the firm’s Residential Property, Private Client and Personal Disputes teams.

Sarah Cornish is a member of Coodes’ Wills, Probate and Trusts team and her expertise spans wills, trusts, agriculture and related tax planning as well as administration of a wide range of estates and lasting powers of attorney. Based in the firm’s Liskeard office, Sarah is also a Fellow of the Agricultural Law Association, a Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and a Member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

Based in Coodes’ Truro office, conveyancer Sarah Cowley heads up the firm’s specialist New Build team. With expertise including residential leases, equity release and first time buyers, she is a Member of the Society for Licensed Conveyancers.

A member of Coodes’ Personal Disputes team, Melanie Grose specialises in the growing field of disputed wills, trusts and inheritance claims, along with advising on both fraudulently or negligently administered estates. Mel has been recognised by one of the legal profession’s most respected guides, the Legal 500, and is based in Coodes’ new St Austell office.

Also located in Coodes’ St Austell office, Jo Morgan is Head of the Buy to Let team. Jo covers a broad spectrum of conveyancing work and specialises in complex residential purchases, portfolio buy to let and 2nd home acquisitions. One of the firm’s first Chartered Legal Executives to be made Partner, Jo is a committee member of the Cornwall Property Professionals Association and Branch Chairman for Cornwall Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Chartered Legal Executive Maria Richards has been promoted to Associate, in recognition of her contribution to Coodes’ growing Residential Property team and her expertise in a number of specialist areas, including right to buy, equity release and co-ownership transfers.

Coodes CEO Gerard Hickie said: “The last two years have seen Coodes go through a period of rapid growth: we have expanded with a number of new appointments and have opened new offices in Falmouth, St Ives and St Austell.

“Our four new partners and our latest associate have all demonstrated the talent, commitment and ability to contribute to our growth strategy while retaining our values of offering the highest quality service. I wish them all well in their new roles.”