New partner bolsters local government sector offering at Wilkin Chapman Solicitors

Local government specialist, Estelle Culligan, has been appointed by Wilkin Chapman as partner in the regulatory and public sector department, further strengthening the team led by partner Jonathan Goolden.

Estelle will be involved in local, regional, and national work for the department, but also building a presence for the firm in the south east, where she is based.

With more than 18 years’ experience working in-house for local authorities, guiding councils on various legislative and governance issues, Estelle brings a wealth of valuable in-depth knowledge and a great understanding of the concerns and challenges faced by councils.

“I’m looking forward to working with the department which already offers a fantastic array of services in the local government sector. My many years’ experience as a monitoring officer and head of legal, means that I understand and have first-hand experience of the unique challenges faced by councillors and officers. This will allow me to advise on the full range of local government issues, including constitutional and governance matters, code of conduct investigations, employment, planning and housing”, Estelle commented.

She added “I have been aware of Jonathan and Wilkin Chapman’s reputation in the sector for several years and am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be joining such a great team”.

Jonathan Goolden, partner and head of the nationally recognised department at Wilkin Chapman said, “I have known of Estelle for a while – she’s highly respected in the industry, so we’re really excited to welcome her to the team. She’s going to be a great asset to our department, not only increasing the skill of the team, but the capacity and reach of what we already do.

“Local government is an intensely regulated sector where imaginative and politically aware solutions which have regard to the public interest are often required. Estelle is able to think flexibly and propose pragmatic outcomes to her clients” Jonathan added.

The firm’s regulatory team is bolstered by a series of consultants, each with their own unique expertise. Comprised of former police officers, monitoring officers and local government officials, the group is packed with many years of relevant experience.

Paul Bowden, partner and head of the creditor services team commented, “This is a really exciting appointment for our business. The local government sector is a really important work area for the firm and we are currently engaged with over 100 local authorities throughout England and Wales offering solutions for all council-related issues, and with Estelle’s support, we’re looking forward to providing an even stronger service that will support our clients even further”.

The department is also highlighted for its ‘impressive track record’ in this area of work by the Legal 500, a leading independent guide to UK law firms, and is well known for its expertise in investigating and advising on the conduct of local government councillors and elected mayors.