Announcing the arrival of two new partners to its Somerset office, which opened in Taunton in July 2023, employee-owned and B Corp™ Certified law firm Stephens Scown LLP has further strengthened its position within the county.
With over a decade of experience in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown, Lizzie Smith advises on divorce and financial settlements, financial support for children or following a foreign divorce, enforcement issues, and freezing injunctions. She also supports clients with non-molestation and occupation orders, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, arrangements for children and relocation applications.
Lizzie is listed as an Associate to Watch in the Chambers and Partners Guide, and a Key Lawyer in The Legal 500, bringing further expertise to the Firm’s top-ranked Family team. She is a member of Resolution, as well as being a Resolution Accredited Specialist in Advanced Financial Remedies (High Net Worth) and International Family Law, and is also trained in Collaborative Law, an alternative method of dispute resolution.
Meanwhile, Robin Koolhoven brings a wealth of experience to the Firm’s specialist Restructuring and Insolvency team, joining Andrew Knox, who is head of the Restructuring and Insolvency team based in Exeter, and Senior Associate Sean Jenner to expand the support for businesses in need of advice in this area.
With a background in the areas of contentious and non-contentious insolvency, finance, and commercial contracts, his appointment strengthens the company’s offering in the area. Robin will continue to work closely with insolvency practitioners as well as acting for a wide range of companies, based both in the UK and overseas.
Like Lizzie, Robin is highly regarded within the legal community, described in Chambers and Partners as, “quick to grasp the key issues in a case,” and in The Legal 500 guide as, “a practical adviser and can see commercial solutions to difficult problems.”
Building on the Firm’s strongholds in Cornwall and growing dominance in Devon, the appointments come at a time when Stephens Scown continues to make inroads throughout Somerset and in the greater South West region. This includes being sponsors of Taunton’s Round Table annual charity speaker night and their continued sponsorship of the Somerset Business Awards, as well as co-hosting a B Corp™ round table discussion and sponsoring a business breakfast panel event on the ‘Future of Somerset’.
Stephen Wray, who heads up the Firm’s Somerset team, says: “With an increased presence in the county, Stephens Scown’s full-service offer continues to support business owners with day-to-day challenges, helping them to achieve their strategic goals, and guide individuals through life’s challenges and achieve positive outcomes.”
Speaking about the firm’s growth in Somerset, managing partner Richard Baker said, “Our people are passionate about the sectors and clients they work with and devote time and energy to developing a deeper understanding of their challenges and aspirations, building long-lasting client relationships. Lizzie and Robin will help take us to the next level, with additional exciting appointments planned in the near future.”