Experienced property litigator Joanne Young has joined the Capsticks Real Estate team, both strengthening and broadening the firm’s offering to public sector clients.

Joanne’s arrival also marks the continued expansion of the Exeter office following the addition of fellow Local Government experts and Partners Lucy Woods and Ruth Yates last year.

Her appointment is set to enhance the breadth of the Real Estate team, complementing its strong transactional capability with additional specialist disputes expertise. The dual perspective she provides will ensure that clients receive holistic, commercially informed advice across both non-contentious and contentious property matters.

Having spent much of her legal career advising public and quasi-public sector clients, Joanne brings to Capsticks an understanding of the operational and regulatory challenges that they face. In addition to her two decades in private practice, she has worked in a county council legal team, which gave her valuable insight into the practical realities and pressures of local government decision-making.

Joanne has many years of experience in advising on all types of commercial and residential property disputes: from landlord and tenant matters to overcoming restrictive covenants, boundary disputes and adverse possession. Joanne also has particular expertise in disputes concerning highways, all set within a clear understanding of public sector powers and governance.

Rachael Heenan, Senior Partner at Capsticks, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Joanne to the firm. Her extensive experience in property disputes and strong track record advising public sector clients will further strengthen our Real Estate offering at a time when many public sector clients are in need of this service. Joanne’s appointment reflects our continued investment in the southwest and local government sector and our commitment to delivering a full-service legal offering to public sector organisations across the region.”

Sam Hopkins, Head of Real Estate at Capsticks, said:

“Joanne’s arrival is a fantastic addition to our already-strong team. Her experience in navigating complex and often sensitive property disputes adds further strength in depth to our national property litigation practice and strengthens the support we can offer clients. She brings a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach and a clear understanding of the environments our clients operate in, which will be a real asset as we continue to develop our practice in this space.”

Capsticks aims to be the firm of choice for organisations who work to make a difference. Our purpose is to be the legal advisers that clients want by their side, providing innovative and practical solutions tailored to our sectors’ unique challenges. Our lawyers work together as one team with the same values: putting people first, doing the right thing and always forward thinking.