Mansfield-based law firm Forrest Williams Legal Ltd has been approved as an alternate business structure (ABS), allowing the firm to be owned by a mixture of solicitor and non-solicitor directors.

Non-solicitor Katie Forrest (pictured) has taken on joint ownership with solicitor Steve Williams following a strict approval process carried out by the Law Society.

The firm, established in 2009, specialises in assisting private-paying clients with legal issues, ranging from criminal defence, regulatory, commercial, matrimonial and civil litigation to Wills and probate.

The firm has won numerous local and national awards, including the national Peer Awards, Mansfield 2020 and Chad Business awards, and is included in the prestigious Legal 500 directory of the nation’s leading law firms. The firm is also included
in the Sunday Times’ list of leading lawyers.

Despite being a national firm, Forrest Williams has strong connections with Mansfield and its head office is at the Mansfield iCentre.

Katie, who began the firm with Steve in 2009, was born and raised in Mansfield.

She said the Forrest in the firm’s name was in honour of her father, well-known local chimney sweep Rex Forrest, who died just days after the firm was established.

“I’m delighted that we have been accepted as an ABS firm, and that I have been approved as a director,” Katie said. “The decision to allow non-solicitors to own and manage law firms is not taken lightly in the profession, and I see it as a great privilege.

“I have played a crucial role in establishing and growing the firm. We are committed to excellence in terms of the expert legal knowledge and client care we provide.”

Forrest Williams Legal Ltd can be contacted on 01623 600645.