Lodders announces Paul Mourton as new managing partner

Paul becomes the firm’s youngest ever managing partner at just 39.

Head of Lodders’ Real Estate team since 2015, one of the largest in the region with more than thirty in number, including eight partners, Paul has also been the firm’s partner in charge of its fast growing Cheltenham office since it opened in 2013.

A specialist in property investment and development, particularly in the industrial and logistics sectors, Paul primarily acts for high-net-worth individuals and private family property companies across the UK.

He acts for two of the largest property PLCs in the West Midlands and one of the UK’s leading logistics firms, and originally joined Lodders in June 2008 from national firm, Charles Russell.

Throughout his time at Lodders, Paul has not only played an integral role in the growth of the Real Estate team, he has also been instrumental in developing the firm’s senior management team. This has included the appointment of the firm’s first ever IT Director in 2017, and its Marketing Director in 2013.

Paul officially took up the role of managing partner at the firm on the 1st January 2018, and picks up the reins from Rod Bird who has been managing partner for the last seventeen years. Paul will work closely with the firm’s senior partner Martin Green, who is head of Lodders’ Private Client team.

Build on success and reputation

Commenting on his appointment, Paul said: “I am delighted to have been elected managing partner to lead the firm into and through the next phase of its growth.

“Lodders has a long history and has built up a fantastic pedigree since it was formed 230 years ago. My aim is to build upon the firm’s success and excellent reputation by being ambitious, but not reckless, and to maintain a strategy of measured expansion. I want to ensure that the firm’s ethos and reputation for excellent, quality client service is maintained, by continuing to gather a team of best in breed, quality lawyers, who deliver quality advice.

“The firm has recorded year-on-year growth in recent years, but has expanded significantly since 2013 when we opened our fast-growing Cheltenham office.

“Most recently, we merged with top-tier Birmingham niche family law firm, Divorce and Family Law Practice, giving us a foothold in the city centre. The merger has been a perfect fit; the teams share the same ethos and values, with a focus on providing the very best advice, client care and service.

“The firm is alive to opportunities for future growth, and I hope to continue to build our team of leading legal specialists, whilst maintaining our enviable and friendly culture.”

Rod Bird adds: “Since Paul joined the firm, he has brought energy, ambition, and exceptional legal and business skill to the firm. He has steered the establishment of the Cheltenham office and grown the profile, reputation and size of the Real Estate team to become one of the pre-eminent teams in the West Midlands. Paul is the ideal individual to take the firm on the next phase in its succession, supported by Lodders’ strong management team.”

Wealth of experience

Lodders’ senior partner Martin Green adds: “Paul has a wealth of experience that will continue to benefit the firm in his new role. Personally, I am thrilled about Paul’s appointment as managing partner and excited to have someone so young leading the firm. Without doubt Paul will bring a fresh energy and dynamism to the role, and the whole firm.

“Lodders continues to be seen and ranked as one of the Midlands’ foremost firms. We have recently been recommended as a top tier firm in four practice areas by the latest Legal 500 directory, and gained further recognition for our private client work, when we were named as the best in the area for advice by the High Net Worth Guide 2017, produced by the well-respected guide to the legal profession, Chambers UK Directory.

“I am looking forward to working with Paul to lead and further shape Lodders’ future for the next generation.”

Paul was educated at Cheltenham College and outside of Lodders, is a trustee of the Get A-Head Charitable Trust. Based at the QE Hospital in Birmingham, the charity supports patients suffering from diseases of the head and neck, but particularly cancer, and their families.