Firms have announced a series of senior private client appointments, with Sheffield-based law firm Pavilion Row appointing Will Morris (main picture) to its board of directors, Matthew Morton becoming partner in the commercial litigation team at Ward Hadaway, and Phoebe Skarlatos joining the partnership team at Lawson West Solicitors.
Morton (pictured below right) will lead the development of Ward Hadaway’s disputed wills, trusts and estates work in Yorkshire and the North West. Previously at Weightmans, Morton brings more than 20 years’ experience, with a focus on contentious trusts and probate work over the past 15 years.
“I’ve joined Ward Hadaway to grow our dedicated disputed wills, trusts and estates offering,” Morton said of his new role. “There is a clear opportunity to build on the firm’s existing strengths and further develop its capability across England.
“Our work spans a broad range of contentious issues, from challenges involving family estates through to high-value matters involving agricultural land and significant property portfolios. The aim is to grow a sustainable practice, develop a strong pipeline of work and continue to build a team over time to support that growth.”
Ward Hadaway employs nearly 600 people and operates from offices in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Teesside. The appointment forms part of plans to further develop the firm’s private client practice nationally.
Managing partner Steven Petrie said: “Attracting talented partners to extend our service and reach is a central tenet of our growth strategy. I am delighted to welcome Matthew to the firm, building on an already growing service line, and strengthening our national private client offering.”
At Pavilion Row, Morris continues his upwards trajectory with the firm, after joining in 2021 as a probate specialist before later being promoted to head of legal and overseeing the firm’s services across wills, trusts and probate.
As director, he will continue to lead the legal team while contributing to the firm’s strategic direction and growth focus.
Angus Houston, director at Pavilion Row, commented: “Will has demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and leadership, and he has played an important role in the development of our legal services. His progression to director reflects both his contribution and the strength of the team we continue grow the business.”
Morris said: “I’m proud to be joining the board at Pavilion Row and working with my fellow directors to further expand the business. Since joining the firm, I’ve been encouraged to build on my professional experience and take on new challenges, which has been hugely rewarding. I’m looking forward to contributing to the continued growth of the firm while helping to uphold the high standards of service our clients rely on.”
At Lawson West Solicitors, Phoebe Skarlatos has joined the partnership team. As head of department and legal director of the Probate, Wills, Trusts and Court of Protection department, Skarlatos oversees a team of 17 solicitors and legal professionals.
Skarlatos joined the firm as a paralegal and became legal director in 2024. Skarlatos said of her new role: “I’m absolutely thrilled to become a partner and director at Lawson West Solicitors. Thank you so much to all at Lawson West Solicitors who have helped me in my career along the way, all the friends I have made here and my incredible team who are the reason I love doing what I do.
“Having joined Lawson West Solicitors just four days after completing my LPC, I knew immediately that I loved private client law – my clients over the years have been so lovely – and that the firm was the place I wanted to be. I would never have dreamed 10 years ago that I would be here now, and it really is a testament to hard work and a workplace that supports and grows its own.”
