New head for Garstang solicitors

Solicitor Lisa Lodge has been recruited to head up Vincents Solicitors' Garstang office.
Lisa Lodge (front left) and her team at the Garstang office (L-R) Lesley Nichols, Alice Cowell, Alison Kidd, Rebecca PerkesLisa Lodge (front left) and her team at the Garstang office (L-R) Lesley Nichols, Alice Cowell, Alison Kidd, Rebecca Perkes
Lisa Lodge (front left) and her team at the Garstang office (L-R) Lesley Nichols, Alice Cowell, Alison Kidd, Rebecca Perkes

Lisa, a private client law specialist, will lead the team in providing advice on wills, lasting powers of attorney, and assisting clients with probate matters.

The office also has a property department that can deal with residential conveyancing, and provides commercial legal services to local businesses and members of the community.

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Lisa has more than 20 years’ experience as a solicitor. She has thrown herself into the local community, becoming a member of the Garstang Women’s Institute and joining in enthusiastically with the annual Victorian Day celebrations last weekend.

She said: “Garstang has a great community spirit and the team tells me that the Victorian festival is one of the highlights of the year. We dressed appropriately for the event and enjoyed throwing open the doors and sharing a mince pie and mulled wine with some clients and passers by.

Lisa is also hoping to provide additional support to local businesses and clients with the creation of a new networking group and by launching a series of seminars providing free advice on legal issues, changing legislation and requirements.

Lisa said: “It’s always worth reviewing a will as the law and taxation rules change all the time, so it’s important to ensure your legal affairs are up-to-date. There’s also a huge growth in people appointing lasting power of attorney, ensuring they have an expert on hand to help them and their loved ones if they become unwell and unable to manage their affairs. Dealing with this now can help avoid a lot of time, confusion and cost further down the line.”

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She hopes bringing a new focus to local business support and networking will be welcomed. She said: “We want to provide opportunities for the area’s many rural businesses to come together, along with the town’s independent traders and established family firms. We know people are busy, so the events will be designed to help with both personal and commercial issues, and hopefully they’ll get chance to make useful connections as well.

“It’s building strong relationships which really matters to us. Our office is already very much a community hub, particularly as we share space with the Yorkshire Building Society, and that’s something we’d like to build on. I’m absolutely happy for people to come in without an appointment to have a chat about something that’s on their mind, there’s always time for that, and I’ve already found people here like that relaxed approach.”

Vincents was originally established in Garstang in 2000 and, while its headquarters has since moved to Winckley Square in Preston, the practice has invested in its Bridge Street office with a number of new recruits over the last few years. It remains an important part of the firm’s commitment to providing a local service for local people.

As part of a Lancashire-wide network of seven offices, Vincents can also provide a range of broader legal services including corporate and commercial property, personal injury, motoring and criminal expertise.

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Phillip Gilmore, Vincents’ managing partner, said: “Vincents is a traditional law firm with a modern approach to customer service and a deep commitment to the communities it serves. The familiar, high street solicitor is a hugely important part of any community, giving people access to good lawyers who have the expertise to help them with whatever issues come their way.

“Lisa has an excellent track record and is extremely enthusiastic about continuing the great work that has been done by the Vincent’s team in the town for the last 15 years.”