Coodes expands conveyancing team across Cornwall

South West law firm Coodes Solicitors is growing its award-winning conveyancing team across Cornwall. The firm has appointed Claire Gummow to its St Austell office and bolstered its Penzance and Newquay offices with two new conveyancing executives.

Claire Gummow joins Coodes from the Mevagissey office of Cornish law firm Charles French & Co. Claire is a Conveyancing Executive with particular expertise in new build and affordable housing, which involves a complex house buying process. Her appointment enables Coodes to further grow its teams specialising in these areas.

Having grown up in Newquay, Claire has been based in the St Austell area for a number of years and now lives in St Stephen.

Claire said: “I have worked with the Coodes Residential Property team many times and was always impressed by their professionalism and friendliness.

“Having always worked in the area, joining the St Austell team is a great way for me to continue to use my local knowledge to help clients. And with more new housing developments on the way, I am looking forward to working with the rest of the New Build team to support clients through the process of buying a brand new property.”

Debbie Mills and Rebecca May have both been promoted and are now working as Conveyancing Executives. Newquay-based Debbie Mills has been a Personal Assistant in the Residential Property team for seven years. Most recently she worked with Johanna Heane, who was named one of the top three conveyancers in the UK by the ESTAS Conveyancer Awards. With a total of 20 years’ conveyancing experience, Debbie was born and bred in North Cornwall and now lives in Newquay with her husband and children.

Formerly a paralegal in the Penzance office, Rebecca May is now qualifying as a Legal Executive. Rebecca’s family has lived in Madron, just outside Penzance, for generations. A keen swimmer and former lifeguard, Rebecca is a regular at Penzance’s Jubilee Pool.

With a network of offices across Cornwall and Devon, Coodes Solicitors has been expanding and investing in its Residential Property team. The firm won six awards at the latest ESTAS Conveyancer Awards, including being named best in the South West.

Coodes Solicitors Partner and Head of Residential Property Sarah Cowley said: “These latest appointments are part of our growth strategy across Cornwall. As we grow the team, we are also committed to extending the breadth and depth of our expertise in specialist areas, such as new builds and affordable housing.

“We are delighted to welcome Claire Gummow, who brings excellent local knowledge, contacts and connections. Claire’s impressive experience in handling new build and affordable housing purchases will further strengthen our specialist teams.

“As we attract new talent to Coodes, we are also committed to nurturing talent. We are therefore delighted to promote Rebecca May and Debbie Mills as Conveyancing Executives – both rising stars in the firm. Valued members of our teams in Newquay and Penzance, they are also both key members of their communities. I am sure their clients will welcome their excellent local knowledge and customer service.”