Nockolds is delighted to announce the promotion of five team members, including the appointment of two new Partners, a Legal Director, and two Principal Associates.
These promotions underscore the firm’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent and delivering exceptional legal services.
Welcoming New Partners
We are proud to welcome Matthew Lutkin and Karen Pritchard into the Partnership, strengthening our expertise across Family Law and Commercial Property.
Mathew Lutkin – Partner, Commercial Property Team: Mathew will be the third Partner in Commercial Property Team, alongside James Griffiths and John Stigwood. Mathew has extensive experience handling a wide range of commercial property matters, including site acquisitions, land disposals for residential and mixed-use schemes, as well as transactions such as conditional contracts and option and promotion agreements. He also manages related matters such as infrastructure agreements and sales to affordable housing providers.
Karen Pritchard – Partner, Family Team: Described in the Legal 500 (2024) as “extremely well prepared, very experienced and personable”, Karen joins Lynn Cowley as the second Partner in our Family Team. Karen handles all areas of private family law, with special expertise in divorce and finances, children’s matters, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation, and domestic abuse. Karen also has experience supporting clients with acquired brain injuries or those lacking capacity with family issues, having worked closely with Court of Protection deputies.
Leadership in Spain: Javier Jurado Promoted to Director of Legal Services
Nockolds is also pleased to announce the promotion of Javier Jurado to Director of Legal Services in Spain. Javier specialises in cross-border legal matters between Spain and the UK, advising on inheritance, wills, residential and commercial property transactions, litigation, and enforcement of foreign judgments. He has played a vital role in assisting UK businesses to establish operations in Spain.
Principal Associate Promotions
We are pleased to announce the promotion of two lawyers to Principal Associate roles, further enhancing the strength and expertise of our teams.
Kristina Biddlecombe – Principal Associate, Commercial Property: Kristina joined Nockolds in 2021 and advises on all legal aspects of commercial property, including acquisitions, leases and refinancing. She is also one of our Building Safety Act 2022 experts and has given a series of seminars on this new and complex piece of legislation.
Michael Henry – Principal Associate, Contentious Probate: Michael joined Nockolds in 2023 with over a decade of experience in contentious probate. Michael guides clients through complex inheritance disputes with a positive, realistic approach. His expertise includes will validity disputes, claims under the Inheritance Act and disputes over the role of executors, administrators and trustees.
Darren Hayward, Managing Partner, comments: “We are absolutely delighted to have made these internal promotions which are very well deserved and recognises the contribution each of them has made to the continued growth of Nockolds. I have no doubt they will flourish in their new roles and will be instrumental in contributing to the Firm’s future growth and success.”