Firm news: family law appointments. Steele Raymond has appointed Helen Cort as a partner in its family team, taking the team to 15 members (pictured) and making it one of the firm's largest practice groups. Cort joins from Dutton Gregory, where she was partner. She was previously legal director at BDB Pitmans and spent 13 years at Paris Smith, where she trained and qualified. She has two decades of experience advising on the full range of family law, from pre-nuptial and cohabitation agreements to complex financial settlements and arrangements for children. Cort is recommended in Legal 500, Doyle's Guide and the Spears 500. Cort said: "I was drawn to family law because of the breadth of it; one day you're working through a financial settlement, the next you're helping parents agree arrangements for their children. "Clients usually come to you at a difficult point in their lives, and what they need is someone who can think clearly on their behalf and help them see a way through. That's the kind of work I want to keep doing, and Steele Raymond's family team has built a genuine reputation for doing it well." The appointment reflects a period of sustained growth for Steele Raymond's family practice, which now operates across the firm's Bournemouth, Southampton and Poundbury offices. Cort will work across the firm's Bournemouth and Southampton offices, advising individuals and families throughout Dorset and Hampshire. At Thames Valley firm Blandy & Blandy, Rebecca Ledgerwood and Peter Hilton (right) have been promoted to senior associates in the Family Law team. Blandy & Blandy is top ranked for family law in the Chambers UK Guide and The Legal 500, with Ledgerwood and Hilton individually recommended in the latter. Ledgerwood said: "I am honoured to take on this new role and grateful for the support of my colleagues and clients. I look forward to continuing to deliver excellent service, strengthening client relationships, and contributing to the firm's ongoing success." Hilton added: "I'm delighted to progress within Blandy & Blandy in this new role. It's a huge privilege to be recognised in our already leading Family team, and I'm grateful for all of the support from my exceptional colleagues along the way."

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