Holmes & Hills Solicitors has strengthened its construction law offering with the appointment of Associate Sophie Bennett, as part of a strategic expansion of its non-contentious construction services.
Based at the firm’s A12 Commercial Hub in Marks Tey, Sophie joins the growing Construction team with six years’ experience in the construction industry, including advising on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts and project documentation.
Introducing her role, Sophie explained: “I specialise in non-contentious construction law, which means helping clients put the right contractual foundations in place at the very start of a project.
“That includes drafting and negotiating building contracts, consultant appointments and collateral warranties, as well as advising on procurement routes and risk allocation. In simple terms, I deal with everything on the paperwork side that makes a project work in practice.
“My focus is on making complex projects feel manageable – helping clients understand where the real risks sit and making sure the contracts reflect how the project will actually be delivered.”
Sophie acts for a wide range of clients across the sector, including developers, main contractors, specialist subcontractors and consultants. Her experience includes advising on both JCT and NEC forms of contract.
“I really enjoy being involved in large, multi-document projects,” she added. “When there are dozens of agreements to coordinate, having clear, well-drafted contracts makes a huge difference to how smoothly a project runs.”
Before joining Holmes & Hills, Sophie spent time working in London, but said the collaborative nature of the construction industry in the East of England was what drew her back to regional practice.
“One of the things I missed most in London was the opportunity to build long-term relationships with clients,” she said. “Here in the eastern region, construction is a very people-focused industry. You get to work closely with businesses over time and really understand what they need from their lawyers.
“Despite the challenges the sector faces, there’s still a huge amount of development happening locally. New sectors are emerging all the time – data centres are a good example – and it’s exciting to be part of that growth.”
Sophie’s appointment marks a significant step in Holmes & Hills’ plans to broaden its construction offering beyond its established disputes practice.
“Before I arrived, the team had a strong reputation for high-quality dispute resolution work,” she explained. “My role is to complement that by strengthening the non-contentious side – supporting clients at the front end of projects so issues are managed properly from day one.
“Holmes & Hills already has excellent Planning, Land & Development and Commercial Property teams. A big part of what I do is to sit between those departments and the Construction team, making sure clients receive joined-up advice throughout the life of a project.”
The move has already proved a natural fit.
“What really stood out to me about Holmes & Hills was the culture,” Sophie said. “There’s a genuine focus on collaboration and practical, commercial advice, rather than just legal theory.
“The work-life balance is great, the people are fantastic, and there’s a clear commitment to growing the construction offering in a way that genuinely benefits clients.”
Lawrence Pearce, Partner and Co-Head of Construction at Holmes & Hills, added: “Sophie’s appointment is a key part of our long-term strategy to build a genuinely full-service construction offering.
“We have always been known for high-quality dispute resolution work. Bringing Sophie into the team allows us to support clients at the front end of projects – helping them put the right contracts and protections in place so that risks are managed and disputes are avoided wherever possible.
“Her expertise also strengthens our collaboration with our Planning, Land & Development and Commercial Property teams, meaning we can now support clients seamlessly from site acquisition through to project delivery.”
Holmes & Hills is a full-service regional law firm with seven offices across Essex and Suffolk and more than 200 legal professionals. Its specialist construction, planning, land & development and commercial property teams work together to support clients across a wide range of sectors including property development, infrastructure, hospitality, leisure and social housing.
