Ward Hadaway strengthens West Midlands team with key senior appointments

Three experienced partners – Joanna Lee-Mills, Natalie Owen and Sabina Kauser – are among the first appointments at the firm’s new base at Chamberlain Square which opened last month. Their arrival forms part of Ward Hadaway’s plans to build a full-service legal team for the West Midlands region, with their expertise spanning property development, housing finance, employment and immigration law.

Steven Petrie, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “As we grow the firm, we’re focused on expanding into regions where there is clear demand for the type of legal services we offer. Opening in Birmingham is a significant milestone and these appointments mark the start of building a team that reflects our commitment to the West Midlands, and the businesses and organisations based here.”

Joanna Lee-Mills joins as a partner in the housing team, bringing extensive experience supporting Registered Providers (RPs) with land acquisitions, regeneration and residential development projects. She will play a central role in extending Ward Hadaway’s affordable housing work across the region. Joanna is joined in Birmingham by Jenny Walker, Director and Clarissa Pritchard, Managing Associate, who bring strong experience in residential development work acting for housebuilders together with Christy Davies, Solicitor, who is experienced in advising RPs across a range of development and asset management matters.

Natalie Owen also joins as a housing partner, specialising in property securitisation work. She advises RPs on securitisation in acquisitions, stock swaps and large-scale asset management projects.

Sabina Kauser, a partner in the employment and immigration team, adds further depth to Ward Hadaway’s immigration offering. She advises organisations and high net worth individuals on immigration matters – an area of growing importance to employers across the region. She is joined by Arooj Tussadiq, a Paralegal specialising in immigration.

Lesley Fairclough, Head of Housing at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our social housing team has grown significantly in recent years and we’re delighted to welcome Joanna and Natalie, who bring outstanding expertise in their fields. We are seeing the demand for affordable housing legal services in a volatile market continuing to rise exponentially. These appointments expand our ability to rapidly extend our reach and support RPs across the West Midlands.”

The Birmingham office is the firm’s first expansion outside the North of England and forms part of a wider growth strategy to double turnover in the next decade. Further appointments will be announced in the coming months.

Harmajinder Hayre, Head of Employment at Ward Hadaway, said: “Sabina’s arrival is an important step in expanding our presence in the West Midlands. Her reputation as a ‘go to’ specialist immigration lawyer in the West Midlands is well established and she brings exactly the kind of practical, commercially focused advice our clients need in a fast-changing regulatory environment.

“Over the last decade, our immigration practice has established itself as a leading light, supporting businesses and their key employees to navigate this complex and sensitive path The addition of Sabina’s skills and experience to the team will further accelerate our growth, expanding our client base and skills set across the West Midlands and beyond.”

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