Keen horsewoman takes the reins of solicitors’ new equine service

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Equestrians, horse and pony owners and livery managers can now benefit from a specialist new service launched by leading regional law firm, Harrison Clark.

Solicitor and keen horsewoman, Alison Goodwin, has been appointed as the firm’s head of Equine, and will work to benefit anyone involved with horses and needing related legal services — from breeders and racehorse owners, to weekend riders.

The daughter of a veterinary surgeon, Alison will work with her team of specialist solicitors — all with sound, practical knowledge of the equine industry — to serve equine communities across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

She was brought up in Herefordshire and represented the local Pony Club on a number of teams, including qualifying for the National Championships for both dressage and eventing. Alison then spent a year working and riding for an international three day event rider, as well as travelling, before embarking upon her legal career.

“Being the daughter of a local veterinary surgeon and growing up in the countryside meant I had a passion for animals — horses in particular — from a very early age,” she said. “I have a thorough understanding of the trials and tribulations of owning horses and this, combined with my ten years’ experience in the legal field, means I have a thorough understanding of the issues affecting the equine community.

“Owning a horse can also be a considerable investment; in time, effort, emotion and finances. When matters go wrong, you need trusted, specialist advice from an expert who knows the equine field inside out and can deliver the right advice for you, first time.”

Equine legal services can include loan agreements, disputes relating to horses and disputes relating to the sale and purchase of a horse or pony, preparation of livery agreements and disputes, negligence claims against veterinary professionals Public Liability and Animals Act 1971 cases, and advice relating to divorce and relationship breakdown where horse ownership is involved.

Alison gained a first class law degree in 2003 and trained with Rickerbys solicitors in Cheltenham before returning to Hereford in 2006, where she now lives on her husband’s family farm along with three children and a number of horses and dogs. In her spare time Alison enjoys riding, walking the dogs and running.

For more information or to talk about any Equine-related issues you may have, call Alison, or any member of the Equine Team, on 01432 349 675.

Harrison Clark is also growing as a whole. The firm recently announced its merger with Rickerbys LLP, another leading regional law firm, expanding its regional presence and breadth of legal services even further.

The merged firm, which will trade as Harrison Clark Rickerbys, will have a combined staff of 350 based across its offices in Cheltenham, Worcester, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and the Thames Valley, as well as serviced offices in Birmingham and London.

The combined firm will have a turnover in excess of £20m, positioning the business as a formidable player in the region. It is anticipated that the merger will complete at the end of March.

Harrison Clark is a leading law firm providing a complete spectrum of City-quality legal services to business and private clients across the three counties, the south Midlands and M5 corridor and the south west.

Its work in all aspects of law is nationally and internationally recognised.

The firm has been a member of MSI Global Alliance, one of the world’s leading international legal and accountancy associations, since 2007 and in 2012 Harrison Clark was again recognised for the quality of its work through a listing in Tier 1 of the prestigious Legal 500 and Chamber and Partners lists of the major firms in England and Wales.

To find out more about Harrison Clark visit their interactive website at www.harrison-clark.co.uk, or call 01905 621001.