Gateley Leeds Promotes Seven Led by Construction Law Specialist

Gateley Leeds promotes seven across legal and consultancy services, with construction lawyer Samantha Fozzard elevated to legal director as the AIM-listed group announces 69 promotions nationally

AIM-listed professional services group Gateley has promoted seven people in its Leeds office across legal and consultancy services. The promotions are led by construction lawyer Samantha Fozzard, who becomes legal director. Samantha specialises in construction disputes, particularly complex high-value building safety cases acting for housebuilders, developers, contractors, and property owners. Gateley Leeds has also promoted five solicitors to associate: Cordelia Stephens in corporate, Niall Crossley in restructuring, John Gumery in tax, Abi Pawlett in employment, and James Colvin in construction. James Staniford has been made technical director at Gateley Hamer, the group’s specialist property consultancy, where he focuses on compulsory purchase orders and telecoms infrastructure for regeneration and infrastructure projects.

Why This Matters For Leeds

Gateley’s seven Leeds promotions add to one of the strongest years for legal sector talent development the city has seen. Samantha Fozzard’s construction disputes specialism is directly relevant given the volume of development across the city. James Staniford’s compulsory purchase expertise connects to the infrastructure and regeneration programme flowing through the South Bank, Elland Road, and the MDZ.

Who Was Promoted at Gateley Leeds

Samantha Fozzard’s promotion to legal director recognises her expertise in building safety disputes, a growing area of work following the Building Safety Act and the regulatory changes that followed Grenfell. She acts for housebuilders and developers navigating increasingly complex compliance and litigation. The five new associates span corporate, restructuring, tax, employment, and construction, reflecting the breadth of the Leeds office’s practice. James Staniford’s technical director role at Gateley Hamer positions him at the intersection of property consultancy and infrastructure delivery, advising acquiring authorities on compulsory purchase for regeneration and infrastructure schemes. Roger McCourt, partner and head of the Leeds office, said the promotions are testament to the hard work and results each individual has delivered.

“It is great to start our new financial year with a series of very well-deserved promotions. These new appointments are testament to the hard work and fantastic results that each of these individuals has delivered to our clients and we look forward to continuing to support them in this next step of their careers.”

— Roger McCourt, Partner and Head of Gateley’s Leeds Office

Gateley’s National Growth from Leeds

The seven Leeds promotions are part of 69 announced by Gateley across the UK and Dubai, including 11 made up to partner nationally. Founded in Birmingham in 1808, Gateley became the first commercial UK law firm to list on AIM in 2015 and now employs over 1,500 people across 28 offices. The Gateley Leeds office covers the full range of legal and consultancy services, from corporate and construction to employment, tax, restructuring, and specialist property advisory through Gateley Hamer. The breadth of promotions spanning six different practice areas reflects an office servicing the full lifecycle of business activity in the city, from corporate transactions and restructuring to construction disputes and compulsory purchase.