A new associate joining a Suffolk law firm’s commercial property team has a unique perspective on the sector – as he built his home in Ipswich himself.
Paul Munnings joined Prettys Solicitors in Ipswich late last year with a background as an entrepreneur and property developer in his own right, as well as extensive experience in property law.
Paul said he was delighted to join the team and hoped his hands-on knowledge would help his clients navigate their way through any challenges they face.
He said: “While working for a law firm in London I would commute daily from Ipswich, and then work on building my house when I returned home, doing almost all jobs myself.
The father-of two’s next project is an altogether larger prospect, albeit with not quite so much time on the tools being a development of 7 luxury detached houses in north Ipswich which Paul has instigated and carried through all phases from site assembly, planning to construction.
After completing his law degree at the University of Essex Paul worked for a prestigious ‘Magic Circle’ law firm for four years and qualified as a solicitor at one of the largest multinational law firms in 2014.
Following qualification, he spent the last six years working for a top 100 law firm in the region.
“I think my background gives me a unique perspective,” he said.
“I can foresee challenges developers are likely to face because I have overcome them myself with my own projects.
“Typically, a client will initially make contact regarding a potential land purchase- where I will look to add value based on my experience and perhaps look at other areas such as planning, highways access, ground conditions and financing the project.
“I try and solve these issues before they arise, my advice is swift, concise, highly practical and commercially focussed. On a few occasions my clients have said “you’re not a normal lawyer are you?” I like to take that as a compliment!
“I want my practice at Prettys to be a one-stop-shop for developers, to guide them through the process and to be on their team.
“I don’t think anyone else provides that.”
For more information on Pretty Solicitors visit www.prettys.co.uk