Forsters’ award-winning Family team doubles number of partners with two lateral hires
The Family practice has expanded with the appointment of Simon Blain and Matthew Brunsdon Tully.
Forsters has expanded its Family team with the lateral hire of partner Simon Blain from Penningtons Manches LLP and Matthew Brunsdon Tully from top-ranked Chambers, 1 Hare Court. Simon joins the firm today, taking the total partnership to 57 and the Family team to three partners and eight fee earners. Matthew will arrive in the summer.
Simon and Matthew’s recruitment is part of Forsters' ongoing strategy to invest in its top-ranked Private Wealth practice and comes after a period of significant growth for the Family team. Jo Edwards joined and became head of the team three years ago as she ended a high profile term as Chair of national family lawyers’ organisation Resolution, and highly regarded rising star Rosie Schumm followed a year later. They and their talented team of associates have generated revenue growth of 75% in two years.
With a burgeoning practice, the recruitment of two further partners will enable the team to service the large number of HNW/UHNW clients the team is now routinely referred. Serving both domestic and international clients, the Family team is at the heart of the firm’s wider Private Wealth offering.
Simon’s practice encompasses complex financial cases, family businesses and clients who have assets in multiple jurisdictions. In addition, he is an acknowledged expert in international surrogacy law and he will continue to expand this significant practice area.
As a barrister, Matthew’s focus will be to build upon his wide network of contacts to establish a practice that targets clients in the following sectors: sports, media, politics and the arts. He has a particular interest in pre- and post-nuptial agreements and his work in this area will be informed by his ability to bring a barrister’s perspective to client work.
Jo Edwards, Head of Family comments: “We are thrilled to welcome Simon and Matthew, whom Rosie and I admire hugely, to the team. Both Simon and Matthew are impressive lawyers, much loved by the in-the-know clients who instruct them, with an insightful, modern approach to family matters. Their addition to the team is a clear signal of our intention to continue to build on our practice in line with the demands of our growing client base, focusing on the full array of family law services they request.”
Simon Blain commented: “I’m delighted to be joining the thriving family law team at Forsters, alongside Matthew. We bring contrasting and complementary skills to add to those of the fantastic existing team. Together, we have exciting plans for the future.”
Matthew Brunsdon Tully commented: “I'm excited about working with Jo, Rosie and Simon, as part of Forsters' dynamic Family team. I plan to use my detailed experience of dealing with UHNW, financial remedies and private law children litigation over the past 10 years to good use in ensuring that my clients are able to avoid court and find amicable solutions wherever possible, and litigate only when necessary."
Simon is highly regarded in the Private Wealth sector and is one of the leading lawyers in this area. Commentators say “[his] legal knowledge is just fantastic, he is so dedicated to his cases and is all over the detail”. He is recognised by Chambers UK (2019 edition) as a ‘Leading Individual’.
Chambers UK (2019 edition) comments that Matthew is: "A rising presence who is capable of handling complex money issues. He is also well versed in cohabitation disputes and private law children work. He is already earning a reputation among lawyers as a creative and analytical practitioner". "Matthew is a star of the future. He's on top of his papers, a strong and imaginative advocate, and completely undaunted by a more senior opponent."