Leading commercial law firm Thrings has strengthened its construction law offering to clients with the appointment of Michael Chilton as partner.
An experienced construction law specialist and former quantity surveyor, Michael joins Thrings from EMW Law LLP, where he was a partner and head of construction. Prior to this, he held positions at Nabarro, Trowers & Hamlins and Linklaters.
During his 20-year legal career, Michael has advised on a range of construction projects, including city office developments, mixed-use and retail schemes, infrastructure projects, housing schemes, student accommodation, out-of-town retail parks, railways, power projects and football stadia.
His main area of expertise is in non-contentious construction law, while he also advises on disputes and dispute avoidance. Clients include developers, banks, pension funds, housing associations, corporate occupiers, local authorities, contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.
Michael – who will be based at Thrings’ offices at St Andrews House in the City of London – will advise clients on all aspects relating to construction contracts, including procurement routes, building contracts, consultant appointments, bonds, warranties and guarantees. He will also advise on the construction aspects of property development documentation.
Michael said: “I am very pleased to be joining Thrings’ fast-growing London office, and working with the construction and commercial property teams across the firm to develop the construction offering for existing clients and expand its client base.
“Despite the economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit which pervades at present, there are still significant opportunities in the property sector. With the construction team now based in both London and Bristol, Thrings is ideally placed to offer advice and assistance on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters to clients in London, the Home Counties and across the south-west of England.”
Michael becomes the third partner in the firm’s construction team. He joins Steve McCombe, who has almost 30 years’ experience of resolving construction and engineering disputes, and Natalia Sokolov, who acts for contractors, banks, developers and consultants on a range of non-contentious construction procurement advice, contract preparation and negotiation matters.
Warren Reid, head of commercial property at Thrings, said: “On behalf of everyone at Thrings, I would like to welcome Michael to the firm. His knowledge and skill at advising clients on transactional matters, as well as those relating to disputes and dispute avoidance, will undoubtedly add strength and depth to Thrings’ construction offering.
“Michael is joining an experienced team which possesses a comprehensive understanding of construction issues and enjoys a reputation for providing practical solutions to clients’ legal challenges. I am looking forward to seeing him work closely with his new colleagues to ensure Thrings’ construction and commercial property clients across the country continue to receive the specialist legal advice that enables them to succeed and grow.”
To support its strategic approach to growth, Thrings – which has offices in London, Bristol, Bath, Swindon and Romsey – continues to invest heavily in staff. The firm recently appointed experienced commercial property lawyer Fionnuala Nolan, commercial specialist Mary Chant, and family law expert Sally Pike as partners, and corporate banking specialist Chris Elias as a relationship director. In May, meanwhile, Natalia Sokolov, Robert Barnes and Alice Altounyan were promoted to Thrings’ partnership as part of its annual round of promotions.
