Weightmans LLP has appointed two new partners to establish a new real estate team in Leicester, working closely with Weightmans’ existing real estate team in Birmingham.

Richard Osborn and Sophie Philippon-Thomas both join from Freeth Cartwright, and come with a wide range of experience, ranging from commercial development and regeneration to property investment and management and general landlord and tenant matters.

Richard and Sophie both have particular interest and expertise in the retail sector and have acted for several national and international retailers and their appointment will further strengthen the firm’s capabilities in the retail sector.

They will also be working with Weightmans’ existing public sector and banking and finance client service teams.

Richard said: ‘I am delighted to be joining a firm of the calibre of Weightmans and also, with Sophie, excited to be setting up a new real estate team in Leicester, to work with the established Weightmans Birmingham and wider national real estate group.’

Sophie said: ‘Richard and I are very much looking forward to working closely with our new Leicester colleagues at Weightmans in other practice areas to raise the profile of the firm within the Leicester and wider East Midlands market.’

The pair join following the appointment of Jane Cox as regional office head for the Leicester office on 1 November 2013.

Jane commented: ‘We are delighted to welcome Richard and Sophie to Weightmans. It’s an extremely exciting start to the year in setting up a new dedicated team to provide a full range of real estate services to the public and private sectors in Leicester and the wider East Midlands region.’

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