Farming expert joins Ward Hadaway
18/12/06

THE latest recruit to law firm Ward Hadaway’s countryside team can truly claim to combine legal knowledge with practical farming experience.

William Green took over the reins of his family farm at Hallington in Northumberland from the age of 18, on the death of his father. His family had farmed in the Tyne Valley since at least 1850.
Mr Green returns to his native North-East after heading up the Agriculture Unit of the well-known Cumbrian firm, Burnetts.

He believes the experience gained on the 240-acre mixed cattle and sheep farm has proved invaluable in his current career.

Mr Green said: “The most important thing to the estate owner or farmer is the quality of the legal advice they are getting. But, over and above that, when I approach a problem I consider it from a practical farming point of view too, as well as applying the law. Advice has to make sense from both perspectives.

“I also find that countrymen – and women – appreciate not having to constantly stop to explain the terms of the countryside when they’re talking to me.

“I hope I look at a problem from both the legal and practical angle.”

Mr Green originally began studying law part-time, while still farming, to add another string to his bow.

He moved from the part-time course on to the full-time degree course before graduating from Northumbria University 12 years ago with an honours degree in law.

After his two years of articles he joined the agriculture department at Dickinson Dees in Newcastle before being recruited to Burnetts in 1999, where he set up and ran the firm’s agriculture department based next to the H & H Auction Mart at Rosehill, Carlisle.

Mr Green has grown the department and agricultural business considerably over the past six years, attracting some big estates as clients. His standing as a lawyer was recognised by the Legal 500, the legal directory of outstanding solicitors in individual areas of the law.

Mr Green appears in the present edition – alongside Ward Hadaway's Christopher Hewitt – for legal advice to Agriculture and Estates. He is also a member of the Agricultural Law Association.

Christopher Hewitt, head of the countryside team at Ward Hadaway, said: “I’m delighted to welcome William to the team. I am certain that his expertise and practical know-how will prove invaluable to our clients.”

William said: “I’m very pleased to be joining Ward Hadaway. The firm has an excellent reputation for its agricultural work, and Christopher Hewitt, in particular, is held in high regard in the industry. The attraction of working with him, and the rest of the countryside and agriculture team, was far too good to miss.”

Notes:

One of the largest firms in Newcastle, Ward Hadaway is a major player in the North-East and one of the UK’s Top 100 law firms.

Established over 15 years ago, the firm employs more than 370 staff, including many nationally recognised legal experts.

It is among the top-ranked law firms in the UK according to Chambers Guide 2007. The firm’s expertise spans a wide range of sectors including Company Commercial, Corporate Finance, Commercial Property, Planning, Dispute Resolution, Technology, Intellectual Property, Healthcare, Employment, Construction, Licensing, Debt Recovery and services for the private client.

Ward Hadaway is also a main sponsor of Guinness Premiership rugby union team Newcastle Falcons.

CLA response to announcement of Uplands Entry Level Stewardship
NFU Report makes the case for 21st century farming
Climate Change Brings Daffodils For Christmas