Duo to head up specialist legal planning team

Full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has announced that specialist planning solicitors Paul Wakefield and Anna Cartledge will lead its legal planning team.

With more than 40 years’ combined experience, the duo will lead plans to substantially grow the 11-strong team, which has already seen significant growth, boosting its turnover by almost 50 per cent in the past two years.

Paul and Anna take over from Simon Stanion. After retiring from the partnership at the end of April, Simon has moved into a consultancy role with the firm.

Having joined Shakespeare Martineau in Leicester as a trainee solicitor in 2004, Paul has been with the firm for two decades – working his way up to partner and now based in Nottingham. Anna joined Shakespeare Martineau in Birmingham in 2021, having practised in the city for more than 20 years.

Shakespeare Martineau’s legal planning team advises a wide range of  clients on the full scope of planning matters, and has niche expertise in advising on both large scale strategic development sites and judicial review matters.

The team has been consistently ranked in Chambers and Partners for 18 years, with Simon, Paul and Anna all recognised individually as notable practitioners. It also has a tier one ranking in the Legal 500, with Simon, Paul and Anna all recognised individually in the rankings.  

Anna said: “I am delighted to be leading our legal planning team alongside Paul and we are looking forward to driving the continued growth and success of our talented team. As we move forward, I am confident the legal planning team will go from strength to strength, as we continue to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions for our clients.”

Paul added: “We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Simon for his outstanding leadership and dedication. Simon has been instrumental in building the strong foundation upon which our team stands today, and we are grateful he will continue to contribute his invaluable knowledge and experience in his new consultancy role.”

Pictured (L-R): Paul Wakefield and Anna Cartledge