The Society for one of Britain’s oldest native breeds, the Suffolk Sheep, has appointed Midlands law firm Lodders Solicitors to provide legal advice to the organisation, after a competitive tender process.

Lodders has one of the largest and most experienced specialist agricultural teams in the region and the firm is recognised nationally for its expertise in agriculture, rural and real estate, charity and private client law. It already works with a number of the leading British livestock and breed societies, including The Royal Association of Dairy Farmers, the British Charolais Society, and various pony societies.

The firm’s team working with The Suffolk Sheep Society, which was originally formed in 1886, is headed by partner Mark Lewis, a charity law and breed and livestock society specialist and corporate lawyer, who works with rural and family businesses, and ecclesiastical clients. Working alongside Mark is Lodders’ head of agriculture David Lodder.

“We are most impressed with the firm’s and particularly Mark’s knowledge of the agricultural sector in the UK and Ireland,” commented Dr Lewis McClinton, Chief Executive of The Suffolk Sheep Society for the UK and Ireland,” together with his professional credentials in both the farming and charity sectors.

“The Society is a very specialist business which works closely with farmers and the whole of the agricultural sector,” he added. “We need a law firm that currently acts for farmers and consistently in the agricultural sector, and which has proven relevant knowledge and experience. Lodders matches these specific requirements and already represents a number of sheep and cattle breed societies.

“Logistically, the firm is based centrally in the Midlands, so is also geographically accessible for the Society.”

Commenting on the firm’s appointment, Lodders’ Partner Mark Lewis said: “The Suffolk Sheep Society has an extensive membership across the UK and Ireland and I am very pleased to now be acting for an organisation which represents its members both nationally and internationally. I see real synergy between the Society and the team at Lodders and I know we can make a valuable contribution by applying our personal client service, and extensive sector, charity and breed society knowledge and expertise.”

Lodders’ agriculture team, which includes nine senior fee earners, is respected nationally for its breadth of expertise and rural sector insight. It received the highest Tier 1 ranking in the latest Legal 500, the industry’s guide to the legal profession, which describes the team as ‘exceptionally good’ and praises it for its ‘excellent service quality and attention to detail’.

Lodders Solicitors LLP is an established and thriving law firm based in Stratford upon Avon, Henley in Arden and Cheltenham. The firm is recognised as a leading private client law firm, offering specialist advice to both private individuals and privately owned businesses, including its highly regarded work in the agricultural and real estate sectors. For more information, visit: www.lodders.co.uk.