Battens Solicitors announces the promotion of 6 of its talented staff across 4 key sectors

Six talented lawyers are being promoted to senior positions at leading South West law firm Battens Solicitors as part of its commitment to ongoing employee support and development. The promotions across four departments, commercial and residential property, private client, and family recognises the contribution staff have made to the ongoing success of the company.

Solicitor Rupert Edwards is a key member of the commercial property team and is being promoted to associate. Rupert who is based at Batten’s Yeovil office joined the firm as a trainee in 2015 and qualified two years later. He specialises in a wide range of commercial property transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, development sites, leases, and business sales.

Batten’s thriving residential property department is further strengthened with the announcement of a double promotion for associates Claire Colborne and Jason Carr who are being promoted to senior associates.

Residential property associate Claire Colborne joined Battens in 2020 and is a qualified Legal Executive specialising in all types of residential conveyancing, including buying and selling, re-mortgages and transfers of equity, as well as shared ownership and help to buy schemes. Claire is based at Batten’s Dorchester office and has an in-depth knowledge of the local residential property market with more than 20 years experience in the field.

Residential property associate solicitor Jason Carr has also built up a wealth of experience and local knowledge in the residential property sector, working at Batten’s offices in Yeovil and Castle Cary before joining the team at the Sherborne office. He deals with sales, purchases, transfer of equity and re-mortgage transactions.

Private client associate and Chartered Legal Executive Christine Greengrow is promoted to senior associate. Chris joined Battens in July 2006 as a legal secretary in the Sherborne office. She specialises in Will drafting, administration of estates, powers of attorney,

declaration of trusts and Court of Protection issues. Chris graduated as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2012 and is based at the Yeovil office. Chris became associate in 2017.

Family associate solicitors Gemma Galvani and Georgina Bacon are being promoted to senior associate level.

Gemma Galvani who is based in the firm’s Yeovil office has more than 15 years experience in family law, specialising in children law matters since joining Battens in 2016. She is a member of the Law Society Children Law scheme. Gemma is also able to advise victims of domestic abuse and can help them seek protective orders under the Family Law Act.

Georgina Bacon is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel. She qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and joined Battens in 2014. Georgina specialises in cases involving children and is based at Batten’s Dorchester office.

She was appointed as a Visiting Fellow by Bournemouth University in recognition for the lectures she delivers to those learning Law and Social Policy (BA &MA level) at the University.

Managing Director Ceri Stephens commented: “We are delighted to announce this latest round of promotions which illustrate the opportunities and career progression which are available to our staff where hard work and dedication are recognised and rewarded. It is always a pleasure to see staff develop and reach their full potential. It is important that we are able to retain senior staff to develop and mentor junior employees who can learn from experts in their field. Our staff are at the centre of what we do as a firm and are key in delivering the first-class legal service we offer to clients.”