Forsters promotes three to Counsel
Forsters, the leading specialist Private Wealth and Real Estate law firm will be promoting Matthew Evans (Planning), Peter Selwyn (Commercial Real Estate) and Julia Ramsden Gunduz (Private Client) to Counsel with effect from 01 April 2020.
Peter Selwyn trained at Mayer Brown and qualified in 2007 before moving to Forsters in May 2010. He works at a high level with several of the firms’ key real estate clients including The Mercers’ Company, BMO Real Estate and Mayfair Capital.
Peter commented: “the role is a recognition of the importance of these key clients to the firm and I look forward to continuing to work closely with them in future.”
Matthew Evans joined Forsters’ Planning team in July 2015 having previously worked at Denton Wilde Sapte, before spending another four years as part of the London Borough of Hackney's Planning, Highways and Public Law team. His appointment as Counsel further supports the strategic growth of the Planning team. He has been recognised as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 and commentators describe him as "Knowledgeable, pragmatic and commercial. He communicates in a timely, straightforward manner". Matthew works closely with a range of clients including The Aitch Group, Menta and Knight Dragon.
Matthew commented: “Forsters has felt the right place for me, both personally and professionally, since I joined the firm in July 2015. The Counsel role is a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in my career.”
Julia Ramsden Gunduz joined Forsters in May 2017 when the firm acquired the Gowling WLG London Private Client team. She has previously worked in-house with a major international trust company and at Baker & McKenzie. Julia specialises in advising international high net worth individuals and their families on estate and wealth planning strategies. Her advice spans general legal and tax analysis, tax regularisation work, restructuring and advice on resolution of complex or sensitive legal matters and disagreements. She also plays an essential role in leading the firms’ regulatory practice.
Julia commented: “Since joining Forsters in 2017 I have had an excellent platform from which to develop and grow my practice. My focus now as Counsel is to leverage my expertise in advising clients on complex tax matters in order to secure new work.”
Matthew, Peter and Julia all have exceptional technical ability in their chosen practice areas and share a commitment to the highest standards of client service. Forsters’ Counsel Appointment Criteria is based on personal qualities, standards of performance, and long-term value to the firm’s clients and wider business objectives. Forsters is committed to offering all lawyers the opportunity to develop their careers in ways that best equip them to achieve their full potential. All appointments to Counsel are supported by a strong and demonstrable business case proposed by the relevant Group Managing Partner and were approved by the Partnership following a recommendation from the Counsel Appointment Board.
Emily Exton, Managing Partner commented: “I am delighted to announce the promotion of, Matthew, Peter and Julia to Counsel. I am confident that they will each play an important role in the development of their own practice areas. Between them, they have a wealth of experience and their new status as Counsel recognises their value to our business and the strong technical capabilities and outstanding client management skills that they each bring to the firm.”