24 October 2012

Sophie Hamilton

With great sadness the partners of Forsters announce the death on 19th October of Sophie Hamilton, senior partner of the firm from 2001 to 2008. 

After a degree in Classics and Law at Clare College, Cambridge, Sophie was articled at Frere Cholmeley, becoming a partner there in 1985.  In 1998 she played an inspirational role in the founding of Forsters and remained deeply committed to the firm.

Sophie was widely recognised as one of the most talented property lawyers of her generation, acting for UK institutional and international investors, as well as for tenants in major office relocations and clients in the leisure industry.  She was legal adviser and trustee to several families owning large landed estates and property investments, and acted for a number of charitable trusts with property portfolios.

Sophie was a governor and former treasurer of the Anglo-American Real Property Institute.  She was on the livery of the Goldsmiths' Company, sitting on their Charity Committee, and a Freeman of the City of London.  In 1981 she became a director of the Cheek by Jowl Theatre Company, chairing the board from 1995.  During the 1990s she was chairman of the Nottingham Law School and served as a governor of Nottingham Trent University.  In 2009 she became a trustee of the Corporation of Church House.

Always demanding the highest standards of herself, Sophie inspired younger lawyers by her example, combining dedication to her professional work with unstinting support to others, both within the firm and in the world outside.  Her death at the cruelly early age of 57 leaves friends, clients and colleagues with an incalculable sense of loss.  Sophie's family have our deepest sympathy.

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"The people are what make Forsters such a great place to work. I am surrounded by highly talented and experienced lawyers who I have an opportunity to learn from every day. Everyone is very approachable and you are supported and encouraged to become the best lawyer you can be."
Alice Gordon-Finlayson, Associate, Planning
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