Woodstock Legal Services has continued its impressive growth for 2023 with the appointment of highly experienced commercial property solicitor, Orla Gilligan.

Orla joins the firm as a consultant  commercial property  solicitor, having most recently worked as an Associate Solicitor and Technical Property Lawyer at Farnfields Solicitors in North Dorset.

Prior to this, and with a legal career spanning over twenty years, Orla has held positions at a number of other reputable firms throughout England, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland including Shoosmiths, Arthur Cox and Harper Macleod.

In addition to this, Orla worked as an in-house lawyer at national developer Taylor Wimpey. 

Her arrival marks yet another major step forward for Woodstock’s specialist residential and commercial property offering. 

Specialising in all areas of commercial property, Orla has a unique skill set in commercial property, being tri-qualified and able to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

With twenty years of experience, Orla has developed an enviable reputation in dealing with complex residential and commercial property matters, including acquisitions,  commercial property investment, leases (and lease surrenders) and the sale and purchase of businesses.

Speaking on her appointment, Orla said:

“Woodstock has been on my radar for some time now. The firm has such a vibrant and ambitious brand, unique amongst many law firms, and has significantly raised its profile over the past three or four years.”

She continued:

“Woodstock recognises its hires to be capable, hard-working and trustworthy adults, and as such they are happy for me to work wherever and whenever suits me and my clients best. I found this attitude very appealing and it makes a refreshing change in attitude from more traditional law firms. Its recent hires across the board were also a big factor in my decision to join; the quality of the people choosing to join Woodstock Legal is a real testament to the direction of its ambition. This calibre of lawyers, the professional support and their level of specialism speaks volumes.”

Asked about her hopes for the future, Orla said:

“I’d like to help Simone [Ritchie] continue the impressive growth of the firm’s property law offering. I think I can help bring in another stream of work to complement that already being delivered so effectively regionally throughout the South Coast and nationally. 

“I have a very direct, honest and transparent approach to working with my commercial property clients, which they find refreshing. At the end of the day, clients want professional advice that actually provides advice, not fencing and hesitation, particularly when it comes to complex property assets." 

Simone Ritchie, Director and Head of Woodstock Legal’s national Property Team, welcomed Orla to the firm by saying:

“We are so pleased Orla has decided to join us. As a business, we continue to grow and deliver on increasingly larger and more complex commercial property projects nationally – Orla’s experience and expertise further our ability to compete nationally with our unique consultancy-based approach.”

Contact our Specialist Commercial Property Lawyers

Contact our experienced commercial property team  for commercial leases, acquisition or sales and all other commercial property matters. Alternatively, you can contact Orla Gilligan directly on 01202 132778 or email    o.gilligan@woodstocklegalservices.co.uk.