Having won Small Deal of the Year at the 2024 Business Insider South West Dealmaker Awards, being shortlisted for the UK Dealmaker Awards and having acted on deals with a combined value of more than £130 million, Stephens Scown’s Corporate team has boosted its support for business clients with the addition of five talented newly qualified solicitors.
Under the skilled leadership of Partners Laurie Trounce and Giles Dunning, the Corporate team at the B Corp™ Certified and employee-owned law firm has grown in strength and reputation. Building on and integral to the team’s recent success, Eliot Quevedo, Jennifer Short-Martin, Molly Ripley, Tom McCullagh, and Jackson Stayte, are each playing their part in providing expert advice and support to business clients across the South West.
Tom McCullagh says: “Qualifying into our Taunton office provides a fantastic opportunity for me to develop new relationships with businesses across the Somerset region and to be at the forefront of the firm’s expansion. The region is home to such a diverse and vibrant business community, and I am committed to providing excellent legal services that support their growth and success.”
Meanwhile, Jackson Stayte says: “Joining the Business Finance Group as a newly qualified solicitor and helping to develop the business finance offering alongside Robin Koolhoven and the team has been a really rewarding experience as a junior. With a supportive team of lawyers to learn from, the range of work I can get involved with enables me to be a well-rounded solicitor who can assist clients all over the three counties in achieving their objectives.”
Eliot Quevedo says: “I have really enjoyed the variety of work – in any given week, I am often advising not-for-profit organisations on charity law and governance, drafting and negotiating contracts for businesses and assisting on a variety of mergers and acquisitions across a broad range of sectors. Highlights include assisting with a multimillion-pound investment for a client in the food and drink sector and helping incorporate a charity which operates globally”.
With a passion for purposeful business, Jennifer Short-Martin developed a special interest in B Corps™ and employee ownership and helping businesses to keep their values intact through investment, change of ownership and Management Buy Outs (MBOs). She says, “Leading the Cornish B Local network alongside the other co-chairs has been incredibly rewarding, as it has provided me with the platform to drive positive change, promote sustainable business practices, and support the growth of a purpose-driven economy in Cornwall.”
Attracted by the firm’s culture and employee-owned status, Molly Ripley says: “The firm stood out as a place that puts people first without sacrificing on the quality of legal work. I’ve enjoyed experiencing first-hand some of the deals done, and the cross-team collaborative atmosphere that the firm fosters. The opportunity to get involved in some, at times, challenging work, means that I am already taking a front seat on some deals and actively being involved in the negotiations.”
Laurie Trounce, who has been leading the team alongside Giles Dunning, says: “This group of newly qualified solicitors have been exceptional, and we’re delighted that they’ve chosen to continue their careers with us.
“They have made a significant contribution to the Corporate team’s expansion and success, and we have been hugely impressed by their dedication and hard work. Each of them will play a key role in strengthening the team across all specialisms and supporting our exciting plans for growth, particularly in Somerset.”
Working with a diverse range of clients across a variety of sectors, the team works closely with directors and business owners to provide tailored, cost-effective strategies to achieve business ambitions. The team’s regional spread now covers Stephens Scown’s offices in Truro, Exeter, and Somerset, providing specialist guidance in the South West and throughout the UK.
Having seen its most successful year, the Corporate team is well placed to build on that record and thrive in 2025.