Martin joined us as a legal assistant in December 2017, becoming a trainee solicitor in July 2018. In the course of his training contract he gained exposure to residential property, private client and commercial property law, along with family law during a secondment to another firm.

We never furloughed our employees during the pandemic lockdowns, so Martin qualified as a residential property solicitor in July 2020. This was around the time that the stamp duty land tax ‘holiday’ started with many more people moving home.

Now coming up to 4 years of post-qualification experience during which he has featured in the Financial Times among other endeavours, Martin is due to join Burley Geach LLP’s residential property team in Haslemere. This continues the trend of the countryside solicitors he read about as an undergraduate.

Property solicitors, from left to right: Len, Celia, Julie and Martin

“After speaking with many solicitor firms it was Julie West Solicitors who actually listened to me and took the time to hear my unusual situation.

I felt very vulnerable and scared but they made me feel so confident that they would be the team to help. Most of all you were very kind.

It was an area I had no idea about or where to even start but they helped and guided me. They made the process very quick and easy.

I am very thankful to Martin and all the team. ”

— Charlotte, Guildford