ILKLEY-based commercial property law firm Claire Murphy Legal is set to become part of the Switalskis group.

An experienced commercial property solicitor, Claire has worked in the sector since 1994. In 2013, she founded Claire Murphy Legal, a specialist commercial property law firm based in Ilkley. Claire has built a strong and long standing client base of property developers, investors, business owners and occupiers, and counts national businesses such as Lidl Great Britain Limited among her clients.

At Switalskis, Claire will work with the established senior team, Abigail Mitchell and Andrew Lawson, to expand and develop the firm’s commercial property department. The Switalskis team acts for regional and national clients in the construction, retail, office, industrial and leisure sectors, including restaurant chain Nando’s.

Group managing director John Durkan sais: “Claire’s arrival will strengthen the firm’s commercial property offering and pave the way for growth in this specialist area of law.

“Within our strategic plans for the business we have identified a number of areas where we see scope to grow. Commercial property is one such area, and I have no doubt that adding Claire’s expertise, ambition and drive to the firm will add depth to our current offering and help us achieve the growth we are looking for.”

Claire says it will be very much “business as usual” for clients, with the added benefit of back office compliance and administrative support from the team at Switalskis. She said: ““There is a lot of energy across the group and a keenness to grow – both of which are very appealing to me. Having administrative support from the group will also free up more of my time to do what I do best and enjoy most: looking after clients and developing the commercial property department.”