YORK law firm Hethertons Solicitors has appointed solicitor James Sweetzer to join its commercial property team.

Mr Sweetzer has joined the firm, which has offices in York and Boroughbridge, from a legal firm in Leeds, having previously qualified as a solicitor with another firm in Cheshire in 2010.

He has expertise in commercial property law and has acted for both landlord and tenants on leasehold matters and leasehold commercial sales and purchases. He also has extensive experience in re-finance work, acting for both individuals and banks.

David Hallam, head of Hetherton’s commercial property department, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming James to our team. I am certain that he will prove an excellent addition to our already strong commercial property department, which continues to see an increased demand from businesses across York."

REGIONAL law firm Andrew Jackson has recently welcomed Matthew Smith as a corporate partner to its growing team in York.

Mr Smith, who moves from his role as a managing associate at Bond Dickinson LLP, is returning to the city where he worked for several years prior to that firm’s relocation to Leeds.

He has worked with a wide variety of clients, based locally, regionally and nationally, advising on a range of transactions including acquisitions for both AIM listed and private companies and disposals of owner-managed businesses.

Mark Pearson-Kendall, managing partner of Andrew Jackson said: "I’m delighted that Matthew has chosen to join Andrew Jackson. He has a strong reputation for providing clients with commercial advice of the highest quality and his experience, together with his knowledge of the York market, will complement our existing offering to clients across the region.

"Matthew’s appointment follows a number of other strategic appointments we have made in recent months and underlines our commitment to growing our legal services in York."