Forsters promotes five new partners in latest promotions round
Forsters, the leading London law firm, today announces the promotion of five partners with effect from 1 April 2025.
The newly promoted partners are:
- Joanna Brown, Commercial Real Estate
- Matthew Evans, Planning
- Guy Mawson, Family
- Maryam Oghanna, Trust and Estate Disputes
- Thérèse Marie Rodgers, Construction Disputes
Natasha Rees, Senior Partner at Forsters, said:
“This year’s promotions reflect our commitment to strategic growth. We are really pleased to welcome five outstanding lawyers to the partnership, each a leader in their field, dedicated to our clients and instrumental in shaping our firm’s success. Investing in top talent strengthens our market position and ensures we meet the rising demand for first-class legal counsel in an increasingly complex world.”
Emily Exton, Managing Partner at Forsters, said:
“The fact that we are able to promote five talented lawyers in separate practice areas demonstrates that we are performing strongly across the firm. With the arrival of Immigration partner Tracy Evlogidis in November 2024 and five newly promoted partners, we enter the new financial year in a robust position and in an optimistic frame of mind.”
Meet our new partners:
Joanna Brown joined Forsters’ Retail and Leisure team in 2020 with her team from Orrick. She advises large scale institutional landlords on commercial property matters including asset management, redevelopment and refinancing of shopping centres, retail parks and industrial estates. She has in-depth experience, notably having worked on the top 20 shopping centres in the UK. Her contributions have been instrumental in boosting the firm’s market-leading reputation in retail focused real estate work.
Matthew Evans joined Forsters in 2015 from the London Borough of Hackney. A Legal 500 “Leading Associate” (2025), he is recognised for his market-leading expertise in planning law. His practice covers all aspects of planning, with a particular focus on large- scale residential-led development. He also advises on infrastructure agreements, the Community Infrastructure Levy, and has a growing practice advising on biodiversity net gain. Beyond his practice, Matt plays a key role in Forsters’ Graduate Recruitment Programme and mentoring scheme and sit as a board member of Baker Street Quarter.
Guy Mawson joined Forsters in 2021, after working in top-ranked family law teams at leading media-based firms. Recognised as a “Rising Star” in Spear’s 500, he advises on all aspects of private family law with standout expertise in high net worth divorce cases. His worth often involves assets and trust structures and multijurisdictional elements.
Maryam Oghanna joined Forsters’ Trust and Estates Disputes team in 2021 from Herbert Smith Freehills where she was a commercial litigator. Recognised in the Chambers HNW Guide, and as a “Rising Star” in the Legal 500, she advises on the full spectrum of private wealth disputes. Maryam represents high net worth individuals, trustees and professionals, executors, protectors, family offices and beneficiaries in complex, multijurisdictional disputes, with a particular focus on clients in the Middle East.
Thérèse Marie (TM) Rodgers joined Forsters in 2023 from White & Case, bringing broad experience in construction disputes. TM advises developers, building owners, main contractors, subcontractors and consultants on all forms of dispute resolution, includingmediation, adjudication, expert determination, litigation and arbitration. While she specialises in commercial real estate, she also has significant sector experience in oil and gas, hydropower, renewable energy and infrastructure.
Joanna Brown
Counsel, Commercial Real Estate
Matthew Evans
Counsel, Planning
Guy Mawson
Senior Associate, Family
Maryam Oghanna
Senior Associate, Trust and Estate Disputes
Thérèse Marie Rodgers
Counsel, Construction Disputes
